2006 Firefighter of the Year

Captain Jason Barnard is a dedicated firefighter and company officer for Boise Fire Department. He takes great pride in his job and cares for the people he works with as well as the citizens he has sworn to protect. He is continually going above and beyond the call of duty.

Jason has been a member of Whitney Fire District and Boise Fire Department for eighteen years. He is dedicated to teaching and training those in the fire service. He has been a state certified extrication instructor for fire service training for over ten years. He has traveled throughout the state teaching the various fire departments throughout Idaho.

In 2006, he was very involved in firefighter safety and survival training. He is a state certified RIT instructor and spent most of the year not only teaching the members of the Boise Fire Department RIT functions, but traveled throughout the state to teach fellow firefighters this valuable and necessary tool that can and has saved lives.

Jason’s contributions in the development of the new Air Management Class are unparalleled. This training, along with the RIT training, shows that he is concerned with the safety and welfare of the members of the fire service.

He has spent countless hours preparing and instructing in the Boise Fire 2006 Fire Officer I Academy covering such topics as the Duties of the Company Officer, Building Construction, Hazards on the Fire Ground and the Duties of the RIT Officer. His positive attitude towards training extends to all areas of the fire service.

He is a dedicated member of the Boise Fire Technical Rescue Team and his willingness to share his knowledge with the other members of the team is invaluable to Boise Fire Department, the citizens of Boise City and the State of Idaho. He was also a member of the Ada County Special Operation Team.

Jason spent a great deal of time facilitating and assisting with the 2006 Captain and Battalion Chief practical exams. He is always willing to assist in the development of the fire service family.

Captain Barnard organized the Idaho Food Bank firefighter food drive for the past 9 years. He has done so with little help and 2006 was no exception. He volunteered dozens of hours organizing the event, contacting the various media outlets and collecting food barrels from the various fire stations in all of Ada County. This annual event not only benefits the less fortunate citizens of Idaho, but sheds a positive light on the fire service as a whole.

Jason Barnard is the epitome of someone who has pride and ownership for the job. He comes to work with a positive attitude that is evident whenever he walks through the door. He is always willing to help someone out and making sure he does something positive each day. He is committed to his fellow firefighters, the department and those he comes in contact with over the course of his duties as a Boise firefighter and a member of Local #149.