Auburn Hills Firefighter Named Firefighter of the Year

Auburn Hills Firefighter 2013 American Legion Firefighter of the Year for State of Michigan

Media Contact -- James Manning, Deputy Director, 248-364-6860

Auburn Hills Firefighter Gary Chapman was chosen as the American Legion’s 2013 Firefighter of the Year for the State of Michigan. Firefighter Chapman will be recognized at the American Legion’s 95^th Annual State Convention on June 28, 2013 in Sault Ste Marie. In March of 2013 Chapman was selected as the Firefighter of the Year for Auburn Hills by the Auburn Hills American Legion Post 143. Chapman was then submitted to the state level with other firefighters from around the state from which he was chosen for the top honor.

Firefighter Chapman is a lifelong resident of Auburn Hills. His fire career expands more than 33 years.  Chapman started as a paid on call firefighter in 1980 and was hired as a fulltime firefighter in February of 2002. During his career Chapman has earned many state certifications including Emergency Medical Technician, technical rescue and state certified fire instructor.  Chapman currently serves as the fire training coordinator for the fire department.  He is also a member of the Michigan Task Force and MABAS 3201 Technical Rescue teams.  These teams perform advanced rescue operations during building collapse, trench collapse and high angle rescues.

Auburn Hills Fire Department Deputy Director James Manning said, “Based on his dedication to the community and fire service, it is not a surprise that Firefighter Chapman was selected as the American Legion’s Firefighter of the Year at the state level. We are very fortunate to have him within our organization.”