Chief Andrew Backlund appointed John A. Otte as the Colmar Volunteer Fire Company Health and Safety Officer (HSO). John will lead the Health and Safety Committee which is charged with the implementation of the newly created Health and Safety implementation plan that is focused on the reduction of risk of both illness and injury to fire company personnel. “Our plan is to create a Health and Safety Center of Excellence”, says John and “we are firmly committed to keeping our emergency responders safe and well both on and off the Fireground”.

With the onset of COVID-19 and the risks associated with spread of the virus to emergency first responders, the Health and Safety program will first address new standard operating procedures related to firefighter safety, including screening and decontamination of personnel, apparatus and equipment when returning from calls for emergency response services.

The Health and Safety Officer is a Fire Company line officer and a member of the incident command staff. We welcome John to our ranks and look forward to his leadership and knowledge in the area of Fire Company Health and Safety. Welcome Aboard!