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Employee Of The Year Ceremony
By Jackawa Jackson | November 18, 2008
This year’s employee of the year ceremony will be held at Headquarters in the training room on Friday November 21st at 800am. The recipients will also be honored at the City Council meeting on December 2nd at 5:00pm.
In January, a request was submitted for Employee of the Year nominations. As in past years, there were a number of outstanding nominations submitted and it was difficult for the Selection Committee to recommend only two employees. After a review of their selections, Fire Captain Steve Garcia and Plan Checker Tim Buzbee have been selected to receive these honors.
Sworn Employee of the Year – Captain Steve Garcia:
Captain Steve Garcia managed the overall training, planning and exercise components of the Homeland Security Grant Program and is known as one of the State’s experts in this field. Captain Garcia oversaw the purchase and deployment of detection and protection equipment, participated in numerous Operational Area and Regional training programs, and was involved with numerous City and outside agency exercises. Steve was also responsible for overseeing approximately $1.2 million dollars in training funds and assisted with training requirements (NIMS 100 and 700) with several City departments. Steve secured an additional $265,000 of grant funds based on his reputation of “doing it right”. He also played an integral role in the upgrading and “typing” of the Urban Search & Rescue program. Based on his involvement, commitment, and success with the Homeland Security Grant Program, I am pleased to announce that Steve Garcia is the 2007 Sworn Employee of the Year.
Civilian Employee of the Year – Tim Buzbee:
Tim Buzbee was hired in 1990 as the Fire Department’s second Civilian Plans Reviewer. Over the years, he has reviewed thousands of plans for buildings and projects ranging from barbershops to high-rise buildings. Tim is currently assigned to the CUPA Section of Fire Prevention, which has oversight of all tank sites within Long Beach, as well as facilities that store, handle and use hazardous materials. Tim is very conscientious and thorough. It is because of his hard work and dedication to the Department and to the Long Beach community that he is awarded the Civilian Employee of the Year Award.
Steve Garcia’s name will be added to the Sworn Employee of the Year plaque and Tim Buzbee’s name will be added to the Civilian Employee of the Year plaque and both will be displayed at Headquarters. Let us all join in congratulating Steve Garcia and Tim Buzbee on their selections as Employees of the Year for 2007.
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