# DLA Installation Management Susquehanna firefighter Wallace named Fire Service Instructor of the Year

/ Published Jan. 10, 2022
NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa., 
Firefighter Andrew Wallace of Defense Logistics Agency Installation Management Susquehanna was named Fire Service Instructor of the Year in DLA’s 54th Annual Employee Recognition Program for 2021.

Wallace won in the Installation Support Excellence Awards category. He is recognized for outstanding, effective, or innovative program development during 2021.

Highlights of his performance include:

• Pre-pandemic, Wallace researched and delivered two classes about the dangers relevant to a pandemic outbreak and methods to ensure provider safety while administering patient care.• Produced a quarterly advanced life saving and basic life support skill review following national registry and Pennsylvania Department of Health standards including hands on scenario-based training that was highly reviewed by practitioners.• During the pandemic, training shifted from instructor led to individual and virtual classes; Wallace sought out and researched various programs to ensure training compliance.• Developed curriculum and taught an in-house ALS assistant course for BLS providers which provided BLS personnel with increased knowledge, skills and abilities to improve care.

Additionally, Wallace developed training materials that supported or enhanced instruction presentations. He was a key member of the training committee who developed a task book with specific skill sheets for hazmat, technical rescue and Emergency Medical Service for a new employee indoctrination program. Wallace authored and validated over 50 individual skill sheets designed to ensure new employees are trained and prepared to function on all assigned roles of the department within one year. He created a program to train Eastern Distribution Center maintenance staff on various air monitoring techniques in confined spaces, including proper procedures for using equipment and meeting Occupation Safety and Health Administration standards. He also built a training device used by paramedics to practice intubation skills in low light/confined space environments. 

Wallace continually provides training on real life challenging environments by coordinating and instructing joint training sessions with DLA’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive officers and DLA Police Department. This collaborative initiative prepared police for CBRNE events on the installation.

Wallace also gave outstanding performance as an instructor, trainer and speaker during 2021. Standout examples include:

• Delivered seven in-person classes to EDC staff on air monitoring in confined spaces, saving the government over $15,000 to contract a vendor to provide training.• Continually goes above and beyond as an instructor by providing training on all three shifts which allowed for social distancing and met all installation COVID requirements.• Presented 15 classes for on duty shifts sharing vast knowledge base of technical rescue, hazmat and EMS. Excelled with hands-on training, lecture and digital classroom sessions.• Successfully recertified 42 personnel in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 11 paramedics in advanced cardiovascular life support and pediatric ALS on an individual basis, saving the department over $10,000 in contracted training.• Serves as a senior member of the rescue company. Consistently plans, develops and conducts training ensuring firefighters are fully prepared to meet all company mission requirements.• Constantly seeks out additional responsibilities; always participates in training to improve his fire, rescue, hazardous materials and EMS skills; education minded; pivotal contributor.

Wallace has completed Fire Instructor 3 certification — the highest National Fire Protection Association 1041 certification for instructors. He served as instructor and facilitator for the York County advanced technical rescue trench rescue weekend. He consistently serves as a role model on and off duty, serving as a youth hockey coach and he provided basic first aid and safety lessons for players and coaches at no cost to the team. Wallace acted as secretary of the children’s Christmas party – an event that has annually trained 120 at risk children on specific fire safety actions that could save lives.