ROCHESTER — Chief Mark Klose and City Manager Blaine Cox are pleased to announce a member of the Rochester Fire Department was named the city’s Employee of the Month for February.
Firefighter Sam Morrill was recognized for his work building a new cool air gear dyer for the department. The dryer helps firefighters get their gear back in service quicker after it’s cleaned to remove contaminants and carcinogens that accumulate on the gear after every fire.
“All of us at the Rochester Fire Department are proud of Sam and congratulate him on the well-deserved recognition,” Chief Klose said. “He is a shining example of the commitment members have to both the safety of the community and each other.”
While similar dryers are very efficient, they are also costly. Firefighter Morrill was able to figure out a way to build a model of the dryer for less than $1,000. He worked with the department’s Training Division to raise money to purchase the required materials. After building the dryer with his fellow shift members, the machine is now up and running.
Firefigher Morrill’s project was so successful that he has helped build a second dryer for the Gonic Fire Station.
“He was able to save the city hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, all while helping his fellow Firefighters in the fight against cancer,” Chief Klose said.
Firefighter Morrill joined the department in Nov. 2013. He also serves as president of the Rochester Firefighter IAFF Local 1451.
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