Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Professionals Honored for Service

Two members of the of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were recognized with Public Service Medals December 13 in ceremonies at their respective stations.

Technician Michael C. Pickering received the Sons of the American Revolution Emergency Medical Services Commendation Medal at Fair Oaks Fire Station 21, and Firefighter Jovan Reid received the SAR Fire Safety Commendation Medal at Fire Station 9 in Alexandria. The awards were presented by the Fairfax Resolves Chapter of the SAR.

Technician Pickering is a 12-year veteran of the Fire and Rescue Department. He holds the rank of Technical Rescue Operations Team Technician. He is a nationally registered paramedic and an active member of Virginia Task Force 1, a domestic and international disaster response resource rostered by approximately 200 specially trained career and volunteer fire and rescue personnel, with expertise in the rescue of victims from collapsed structures, following a natural or man-made catastrophic event. There he fills the billet of Medical Specialist, as well as overseeing Medical Logistics for the team.

Technician Pickering was recognized for his commitment to Emergency Medical Services excellence. His commendation noted “he always looks for ways to perfect his craft and consistently provides EMS training and mentoring for the shift and battalion; always furthering the emergency medical knowledge and skillsets of personnel. Technician Pickering has shown time and again that he can remain calm and in control under extreme stress on the EMS incident scene.”

Recently he performed an emergency cricothyrotomy on an unconscious, pulseless patient who had been choking. This procedure is a “last resort” surgical intervention that establishes an airway in a patient’s throat. This procedure is rare to conduct in the field and even rarer for a patient with a medical condition. “Thanks to his efforts and those of his team the patient arrived at the hospital with a pulse.”

Firefighter Reid has been a member of the Department for 15 years and serves the greater Mount Vernon area. His commendation recognized his “specific talent for connecting with the members of the community, seizing the moment to ensure every citizen feels a connection with their Fire and Rescue Department. He is an outstanding leader and accentuates the department's core values of teamwork and shared leadership.”

Whether in the fire station or while operating on an incident scene, Firefighter Reid regularly displays a calm professionalism that ensures the best possible outcomes. Firefighter Reid’s constant pursuit of service to others, through protecting human life and property is consistent with the finest traditions of selfless service found in the public safety profession.”

The Sons of the American Revolution is the largest male lineage organization in the United States, comprised of descendants of patriots who participated in the American Revolution. It’s a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and promoting education to future generations. The Fairfax Resolves Chapter conducts various patriotic, youth, public service, and historic programs throughout the area.

Men who believe they may be eligible to join the SAR and are interested in membership may contact the Fairfax Resolves registrar at registrar@fairfaxresolvessar.org.