Florida employer top contender for supporting the troops they employ

  • Published
  • By Maj. Cathleen Snow
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --  Maj. J. Stephen Grant wakes up every morning looking forward to going to work at the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue, the nation's 12th largest fire department, where he works as a quality improvement officer.

In addition to his service to the fire department, Grant serves as a Citizen Airman in the Air Force Reserve's 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. Serving both is a juggling act, but his company allows him the flexibility needed to serve in the military and the fire department, which is why Jacksonville Fire and Rescue was recently nominated as one of three Florida semifinalists for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

The Freedom Award is the DoD's highest honor for employers that provide extraordinary support to their Guard and Reserve employees.

During Grant's most recent overseas military deployment, he was trying to think of a way to honor his company back home for their incredible support when a fellow Airman gave him the idea to nominate them for a Freedom Award through the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve's web site www.esgr.mil. 

The ESGR is a Department of Defense national committee that works with employers, reservists, military leadership, and volunteer committees to build and maintain a base of understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment.

"Because of their continued and untiring support of not only myself, but my family too," Grant said of the nomination. His role is invaluable to injured servicemembers so he gets called to deploy often. "(As an Air Force Reserve nurse) We deploy more often than other careerfield," said Grant who is part of a critical care air transport team that provides highly specialized, mobile medical care to seriously wounded combatants.

"While I'm serving my country, the fire department frequently checks on my well being through various communication channels, and by touching base with my family to ensure they do not need anything."

Chief Ivan Mote, division chief of rescue, concurred. "We are very good to the veterans here," said the chief who is a former Army Reservist. "He (Grant) has a big job and does good job to stay in touch. He has remote access to a lot of info, and is very valuable."

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue provides Guardsmen and Reservists with 20 days for to perform their two-week drill training, and if they are activated they allow them a leave of absence. "They don't lose any leave time and we supplement their income to bring them up to their base pay," said the Chief.

"I thought this would be a nice way to say 'thank you' to my boss, and to recognize them for supporting the troops," said Grant.

More than one million Americans serve in the National Guard and Reserve, playing a critical role in both combat and humanitarian missions. The Freedom Award provides these service members with an opportunity to recognize civilian employers that go above and beyond in supporting their service.

This year, 138 semifinalists stood out among 2,899 employers nominated by a Guard or Reserve employee.

The Florida employers named semifinalists are Dan Newlin & Partners, Orlando; Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, Jacksonville; and Vistakon, Jacksonville.

The Florida employers named semifinalists are Dan Newlin & Partners, Orlando; Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, Jacksonville; and Vistakon, Jacksonville

Nearly one-half of the U.S. military is comprised of Guard and Reserve members. While most Guard and Reserve employers proudly support their military employees, Freedom Award recipients are recognized for going to extraordinary lengths for their Guardsmen and Reservists.

A list of nominations from all 50 states, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia are available at www.FreedomAward.mil.