NAMES IN THE NEWS
Departments
Ron Coleman, fire chief of Fullerton, CA, was presented with the Polyurethane Foam Association’s 1986 Industry Merit Award in recognition of his efforts to promote fire safety and fire prevention.
Chief Coleman has lobbied vigorously for legislation to mandate the use of fire sprinkler systems in commercial and residential dwellings. In 1975, he was successful in establishing the first mandatory residential sprinkler ordinance.
Jake Dyson, assistant chief of the Carmichael, CA, Fire Department, and a firefighter for 22 years, retired last June. He assisted in the successful consolidation of the Arden and Carmichael Fire Departments in 1983 and actively participated in the reorganization of the American River and Arcade Fire District in 1986.
Chief Dyson served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division, and on the Sacramento City, CA, Police Department.
M. H. Estepp, fire chief of Prince Georges County, MD, Fire Department, received the Janet L. Hoffman Award for Public Service from the Maryland Chapter, American Society for Public Administration. This is the state’s top award given for a local government official.
Chief Estepp was honored for his capabilities and skills to control and administer the operations of the county fire department, a unique combination (career/volunteer) fire-rescue system.
Chief Estepp joined the county fire department in 1958, advanced through the ranks, and in 1978 was appointed fire chief by the County Executive.
Former Fire Chief Eloyd W. Eckels, who headed the Fullerton, CA, Fire Department for 20 vears, died June 27. He was 81 years old.
Chief Eckels first went to work for the City of Fullerton as a meter reader in 1929. In 1934, he became a member of the 25-man volunteer fire department, and in 1938 began working nights as a relief man for the full-time driver of the city’s fire engines. In 1941, Chief Eckels began working full-time as a paid firefighter and was promoted to fire chief in 1948, a post he held until his retirement in November 1968.
Chief Eckels is credited with saving residents and businesses countless dollars in insurance premiums by upgrading the city’s ISO rating from a 7 to a 4 by modernizing the city’s fire lines and hydrant systems. Chief Eckels was also responsible for planning and developing the city’s headquarters fire station and five substations.
Chief Eckels was a member of the Fullerton Firefighters Association, the California State Firemen’s Association, the Orange County Fire Chiefs’ Association, and the Orange County Firemen’s Association. He was a past president of the county fire chiefs group.
