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Leland Gayheart Prevention Award

Leland Gayheart was a 23 year old firefighter that lost his life due to a devastating burn injury in 1991. As a tribute, the Leland Gayheart Prevention Award was created to encourage prevention programs within local fire departments. An honorarium is awarded annually to fire department whose innovative efforts have demonstrated a statewide, countywide, or citywide impact on prevention and fire safety. This award is presented in joint effort by the Gayheart family and the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center.

In loving memory of Leland, a unique video was developed. The production is a chronicle of his life, culminating in a 144 day burn course and honors his courageous struggle.

The award is presented annually to the Leland Gayheart Prevention Award recipient. This prestigious award includes a $500 honorarium, a plaque and the Leland Gayheart video.

Eligibility

All Michigan Fire Departments that are actively involved in fire safety prevention.

Entry Requirements

All nominees' must complete an nomination form and adhere to the format and length limitation described below to be considered for the award. All entries must include the following:

  • A synopsis of the program that explains its basic structure and outcomes to a broad audience. This section must include a paragraph describing the program and the problems it addresses; a list of organizations/individuals who have collaborated in the problem's design and/or implementation; a paragraph describing the essential elements of the strategy for implementing the program; and a brief summary of the program's outcomes. Synopsis must be typed, double-spaced and not to exceed five pages.
  • A sample of educational/support materials utilized in the program (optional).
  • Completed nomination form.

Selection Process

All nominations will be reviewed by the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center. Programs are judged on the program design, outcomes, leadership role, target audience and impact on local, state or national level.

Nomination Deadline and Submission

All nominations for the 2010 Leland Gayheart Award must be postmarked by October 4th, 2010. Completed nomination forms and educational/support materials may be mailed or faxed. Please note that education/support materials will not be returned and only the winning department will be notified.

Download Nomination Form (PDF)


Please FAX or mail completed forms to:
Attention: Leland Gayheart Award Committee
University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center
Injury Prevention Team
1500 E. Medical Center Drive, 1C435-UH
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5033
Fax: 734-232-3833

2009 Award Recipient

The Michigan Fire Inspectors Society is the winner of this year's Leland Gayheart Fire Safety and Prevention Award for their 2010 Fire Prevention Calendar.

"This year's award winner is particularly outstanding because it focuses on delivering fire safety messages to our community throughout the year," said Karla Klas, BSN, RN, CCRP, Injury Prevention Education Specialist at the Trauma Burn Center. "A calendar is a fun way to remind us of the great variety of safety messages all the way from the importance of sprinkler systems to practicing home fire drills to the dangers of novelty lighters that may be mistaken for toys. The calendar also highlights the many organizations in our communities that support fire safety."

Taylor Fire Marshal John Hager, who accepted the award on behalf of the society at the December 1 Taylor City Council meeting, was instrumental in using a $4,000 fire-prevention grant in August from FM Global to create the calendar. Hager, who serves on the executive board for the statewide organization, said 21,000 calendars were distributed to fire departments throughout Michigan and given away free of charge. He said the society will use the $500 cash prize for the award to print more calendars.

"I'm proud to accept this on behalf of the Michigan Fire Inspectors Society," said Hager, a 13-year firefighter. "It was a very interesting experience and a lot of work in the designing, raising the funds and the printing process, but if the calendar saves one life or prevents one fire, then it was well worth every minute."

"Raising fire safety awareness among the communities across the State of Michigan is one of the most important steps that can be taken to prevent fire related accidents from occurring," said Ronald R. Farr, State Fire Marshal. "I would like to congratulate the Michigan Fire Inspectors Society on their 2010 Fire Prevention calendar and thank them for their efforts to raise the level of fire safety awareness."


Karla Kass, Taylor Fire Marshal John Hager

2008 Award Recipients

2008 Leland Gayheart Fire Safety and Prevention Award winners are Bloomfield Township Fire Department and Oakland Community College Fire Training.

"This award is near to our hearts because it enables us to recognize the amazing work our fire services colleagues do to increase the safety of our communities," said Karla Klas, BSN, RN, CCRP, Injury Prevention Education Specialist at the Trauma Burn Center.

Bloomfield Township Fire Department won for its fire and injury prevention program targeted to second graders. "Fire Safety and Injury PreventionÑRisk Watch" was first developed for children by the National Fire Protection Association and then enhanced by Bloomfield Township's Fire Department. The program teaches children the importance of practicing safety including fire and burn prevention, practicing fire escape plans, motor vehicle safety, and bike and pedestrian safety. Results from pre- and post-testing show that the students retain a great deal of their safety knowledge.

Oakland Community College Fire Training won for their Flashover Survival Training Program. Flashover develops rapidly with little warning and can catch firefighters off guard. It is the fire stage when contents are heated to their ignition temperatures and flames break out almost at once over all surfaces. The program teaches firefighters the recongnition of an imminent flashover and flashover delaying techniques so they can have those few extra seconds to retreat to a safe haven. The training unit is portable so they can provide this important safety education to all regions of Midhigan.

"The award was not presented in 2007, so the TBC and Gayheart family were able to recognize both of these outstanding organizations this year," said Klas.


Bloomfield: Lt./Inspector Vlahos, Karla Kass, Fire Marshal Mike McCully, Lt./Inspector Doug Brown


Oakland: Ken Chesnut, Training Coordinator, Ron Roosevelt, Training Coordinator, Bill Cockerline, Special Project Manager, Deb Bayer, Director of the Combined Regional Emergency Services Training Center (CREST), Matt Sabol, Program Manager, Geoff Lassers, Flashover Instructor, Ann Morrin, Accounting Specialist, Lisa Braun Administrative Specialist

2006 Award Recipient

  • Dave Winans
    Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department
  • Thomas Dunleavy
    Marquette Fire Department
  • Dean Mallos
    Marquette Fire Department

Presentation of Leland Gayheart Award Recipients 2006


The Trauma Burn Injury Prevention team presents the 2006 Leland Gayheart Fire Safety & Prevention Award to Dave Winans, of the Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department. Click here for more info.

Past recipients of the Lee Gayheart Award

2005

  • Dave Glancy
    Roseville Fire Department
  • Mike Roarty
    Roseville Fire Department

2004

  • John Hager
    City of Taylor Fire Department
  • Philip Mooney
    City of Taylor Fire Department
  • Jesse Kribel
    City of Taylor Fire Department

2003

  • John McDonagh
    Dearborn Heights Fire Department
  • Nancy Butty
    Rochester Hills Fire Department
  • Don Ortega
    Tittabawassee Fire Department
  • Michael Pavela
    Melvindale Fire Department

2002

  • Mike DeSloover
    Monroe Fire Department

2001

  • Mike Kennedy
    Brighton Fire Department
  • Ken Van Sparrentak
    Ferndale Fire Department

2000

  • Jeff Brown
    Grand Junction Fire Department
  • Tom Kiurski
    Livonia Fire Department

1999

  • Robert Balchunas
    Harper Wood Fire Department

Injury Prevention has a new office location and new telephone numbers

Please mail completed forms and educational materials to:

    Injury Prevention Team
    Attention: Leland Gayheart Award
    Trauma Burn Center
    Room UH-1C435
    Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5033
    Phone: 734-232-3815
    Fax: 734-232-3833