At Tuesday’s Marion County Board of County Commissioners meeting, State Fire Marshal Director Julius Halas recognized Marion County Fire Rescue Lt. Scott Chappell as the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association 2013 Search and Rescue Responder of the Year.

Each year, the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association recognizes those in the fire service who have demonstrated excellence and ongoing commitment to the firefighting profession. State Fire Marshal Bureau Chief Barry Baker said Chappell’s award is significant because it is bestowed by fellow fire service members.

“Anytime in someone’s career when they’re recognized by their peers for excellence, as someone others look up to, that’s pretty special,” Baker said.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Halas presented commissioners with a resolution that outlined Chappell’s many roles and accomplishments since entering the fire service in 1993.

Chappell was hired by Marion County Fire Rescue in 2000. In 2001, he began sharing his expertise with others as an instructor at the Florida State Fire College, where he currently serves as the Urban Search & Rescue/Hazardous Materials Program Coordinator.

In February 2007, he was promoted to lieutenant and began leading the A-shift crew of MCFR Silver Springs Shores Station 17, where he currently serves and oversees monthly, department-wide training programs. Chappell is a member of MCFR’s Technical Rescue Team and the Florida US&R Task Force 8, and is acting president of the Marion County Firefighter Benevolence Fund. He served as the program coordinator for the College of Central Florida’s Fire Science Program and is on various committees and work groups for US&R/Hazmat and the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP). He also holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a master’s in Public Administration from Barry University.

MCFR Fire Chief M. Stuart McElhaney said he’s extremely proud of the work Chappell has done and to have him as a part of the department.

“Lt. Chappell represents the type of leader every organization hopes to employ. The extra hours he commits to training and development certainly make MCFR better. Through his work with the Benevolence Fund, he’s also made a profound impact on the community and the lives of other fire service members,” McElhaney said.