Van Buren Tech is proud to congratulate Fire Science Academy instructor, Jeromy Robertson, on being named the 2023 Fire Instructor of the Year by the Michigan Fire Service Instructors Association. Robertson was nominated by Steve Richardson.
“Instructor Robertson began his fire service career in 1995 with the Potterville-Benton Township Fire Department.
In 1998, he relocated to Alaska where he served as an EMT-Specialist with Two Rivers Rescue for four years.
In 2002, Mr. Robertson returned to Michigan, rejoining his original fire department on the same day that a 58-car Grand Truck train derailment occurred. He obtained his Paramedic certification in 2006 and quickly rose through the ranks and began providing fire service instruction in 2006. He obtained the position of Captain with the fire department in 2010.
In 2016, Instructor Robertson relocated to Columbia Township in Van Buren County, joining the township fire department as the training officer. He also became the Training Coordinator for the Fire Science Academy at Van Buren Tech, a Regional Training Center, where area high school students participate in a state-certified, pre-service, fire academy.
Over the years, this one-of-a-kind program has grown tremendously through the leadership of Instructor Robertson. Many area fire departments have benefited from the Fire Science Academy program at Van Buren Tech, by easing the burden of local fire departments in addressing the serious issue of recruitment problems that exist; not only locally, but throughout the fire service as a whole. Many graduating students go on to serve in their local communities with some having entered into a full-time fire service career.
I have personally witnessed how Instructor Robertson connects with the young students, lighting a fire in them that they will carry throughout their lives, whether they continue in the fire service or some other career field. Instructor Robertson realizes that the way to promote positive change in the fire service begins with the new generation in addressing safety that we, as a fire service, seem to learn the hard way over and over again. He does this in concert with teaching the traditions of the fire service and how they are also such an important part of who we are and what we do. Challenging each student to engage in critical thinking and not be fearful of taking a change headfirst. He makes them defend their stance and is always accepting of any suggestion. Instructor Robertson has affected the fire service in so many ways, and it is evident through every student who passes through his door at Van Buren Tech.
In addition to his position at Van Buren Tech, Instructor Robertson participates on the County Training Committee for Van Buren County. He also provides instructional courses for fire service personnel including hazardous materials, fire officers, and other fire service leadership Q-courses that have been approved by the Michigan Fire Fighters Training Council.
It is my honor to nominate Jeromy Robertson for consideration for the 2023 Fire Instructor of the Year Award for the Michigan Fire Service Instructors Association.”
-Steve Richardson
Nick George, Fire Chief for Highland Township, MI spoke in support of the nomination and was a mentor to Jeromy. Steve Lowder (Bangor, MI) read a letter of support from Assistant Chief Jed Wild (Portage, MI). Assistant Chief Wild is a former Van Buren County Training Coordinator for the FireFighter Training Division for the State. Lowder is a long-time instructor and member of the Van Buren County Training Committee. After the nomination was submitted, Jeromy was promoted to Deputy Chief of the Columbia Township Fire Department. He was listed as a Captain at the time of the nomination.