Photo By Douglas Stutz | plaque for performance...Washington State Fire Fighters Association presented retired...... read more read more
It’s supposed to be difficult to spring a surprise on a United States Navy Chief Petty Officer, even one somewhat retired.
Yet that’s precisely what the Washington State Fire Fighters Association (WSFFA) accomplished in presenting retired Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Terry Lerma with the 2021 Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award.
Lerma, the emergency manager at Naval Hospital Bremerton, has served South Kitsap Fire and Rescue – and the entire Kitsap Peninsula - for over a quarter of a century.
“This was totally unexpected. I had no idea this was going to happen,” exclaimed Lerma.
It was in 1996 that Lerma began to volunteer, bolstering his community volunteer efforts with his Navy training and expertise. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2009 and rose to captain in 2015.
“It’s a pleasure to award you the very special honor of WSFFA Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award,” wrote WSFFA President Dave Neff.
Lerma’s nomination packet cited his leadership and mentoring skills have long been hallmarks of his work ethic and commitment in helping prepare the firefighters assigned to him to be able to respond when called upon, handle multiple responsibilities and also advance their own chosen careers.
Lerma has also been actively engaged since 2002 with the local Search and Rescue team, in 2003 becoming a dog handler and a representative on the Washington Search and Rescue Volunteer Advisory Council.
Throughout his volunteer years, Lerma has consistently demonstrated giving back to the community by his fire (fighting) service, leadership skills and the mentoring of great firefighters.
The Lifetime Achievement award is a testament to his collective life of service of fire service, search and rescue and emergency management careers.
| Date Taken: | 05.30.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 05.30.2021 09:19 |
| Story ID: | 397777 |
| Location: | BREMERTON, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 180 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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