Assistant Chief and Fire Marshall Jim Anderson was recently named the 2013 Collinsville Firefighter of the Year for his leadership of the department’s fire prevention and inspection program, as well as his overall leadership.
Assistant Fire Chief Jim Anderson (left) and Fire Chief Mark Emert / Photo by Rick Owens
Firefighters are usually recognized for what they do at a house fire or on an emergency call, but there are many things at a fire department that go unseen, such as fire inspections, Chief Mark Emert said. “It’s better to not have a fire than put one out,” Emert said. “That’s what he does, and it makes us all have a better community.”
The award, presented at the Collinsville Chamber of Commerce’s annual Community Awards and Auction dinner on Oct. 19, was a great honor, Anderson said, because the department is full of worthy candidates. “Knowing the quality of people we have here, that makes it more special,” Anderson said.
Anderson came to the Collinsville Fire Department in 2010 when he was coaxed out of retirement by former chief Peter Stehman. Anderson had previously served 30 years in the Edwardsville Fire Department.
Put in charge of fire prevention and inspection, Anderson has ensured those two aspects of the department receive the attention they deserve. “Most departments will tell you that fire prevention is their number one concern, but they spend most of their time doing other things,” Anderson said. “We will save many more lives through fire prevention than we ever will through fire extinguishing.”
Collinsville has a great approach to fire prevention and a community that is supportive of the fire department, Anderson said. “It’s not always popular to go into a business and tell them they have to bring things up to code, it can be expensive,” Anderson said. “The business and community have been very supportive.”
Anderson said Collinsville’s use of tax increment financing funds helps with fire prevention. The city, he said, is the only one he knows that will reimburse business owners that retrofit their buildings with sprinkler and fire alarm systems.
TIF districts are typically in areas where there are many older buildings, such as Main Street in Uptown Collinsville, Anderson said. Fires in older buildings cause them to be destroyed and later torn down.” If you have a main street with one or two buildings suddenly being torn down, it’s like someone smiling with a couple of teeth missing,” Anderson said.
The Fire Department’s inspection efforts may soon get a boost. Emert has requested on-duty firefighters assist with inspections when not tied up with other duties.
Anderson, who was the acting fire chief between the tenures of Stehman and Emert, was also recognized for his leadership. He unselfishly supported the new chief and assisted him with his transition into the position, Emert said.
“He has been an amazing mentor and role model to everyone here in the department,” Emert said. “He’s an amazing guy.”
