MFF Vincent G. Smith, III Named the Virginia Beach Fire Department's 2022 Firefighter of the Year!

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (October 26, 2022— Master Firefighter Vincent G. Smith, III, was named the Virginia Beach Fire Department's 2022 Firefighter of the Year at the department's annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 26. Smith was presented the prestigious award by STIHL® representatives, Product Manager John Allen, and Vice President of Sales & Marketing Chris Keffer. Firefighter of the Year is awarded to a firefighter that embraces and demonstrates the department's core values:

• Service - Professional and trained workforce, providing for others before self.
• Caring - Using empathy and sympathy for addressing situations.
• Honesty - Just behavior principled in intention and actions.
• Trust - Reliance on the department and individuals following our core values.
• Integrity - Moral and ethical conduct at all times

Smith has been with the department since February 1, 2014.

Comments from peers include:

• MFF Smith exemplifies selflessness, professionalism, and a caring image that the public associates with members of the fire service.
• He embodies what it means to be a firefighter.
• He is the first to start a task and the last to leave, ensuring everything is completed to his high standards.
• His attitude of excellence is contagious and spreads to his fellow firefighters at the station, making everyone better because of it.
• He gives nothing but his best in everything he does.
• He has an outstanding work ethic and an unwavering positive attitude toward fellow firefighters

The presentation to MFF Smith can be found at https://youtu.be/INhMdguoX8Q.