By FireRescue1 Staff
INDIANAPOLIS — Keith Stakes, a research engineer with UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), was named the Fire Engineering/ISFSI George D. Post Instructor of the Year Award during Thursday’s FDIC 2023 Opening Session.
“Stakes brings a level of professionalism about fire dynamics that is unparalleled in our industry,” said FDNY Lt. (ret.) Ray McCormack.
As an FSRI fire protection engineer, Stakes studies the effectiveness of fire service tactics as well as advances in firefighter safety and fireground operations.
Daniel Madrzykowski, UL FSRI’s senior research director, said he couldn’t think of a more deserving recipient of this award than Stakes.
Stakes also serves as a battalion chief with the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad in Maryland and as a member of the FireRescue1/Fire Chief Editorial Advisory Board.
When accepting the award, Stakes thanked his colleagues at FSRI and lifelong friends at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad. He concluded with advice with FDIC attendees: “Once you find your passion, let that drive you,” even if it’s not the most popular opinion.
The Fire Engineering/ISFSI George D. Post Instructor of the Year Award recognizes individuals for extraordinary accomplishments in fire service training, specifically instructors whose work advances the cause of firefighter operational effectiveness and safety and who brings innovation to fire training programs.