MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO
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| Acting Fire Fighter/Medic Battalion Chief Ernest Shaun Lindqvist |
On Thursday, July 16, 2015, Acting Fire Fighter/Medic Battalion Chief Ernest Shaun Lindqvist will receive the American Legion, Department of Maryland “Career Fire Fighter of the Year” award. The ceremony will take place at the organization’s convention in Ocean City, Maryland. In April of this year, he was selected as the “Career Fire Fighter of the Year” for both the American Legion’s Southern Maryland District Council and the Prince George’s County Council. Deputy Fire Chief Corey A. Smedley will represent the Fire/EMS Department at the awards ceremony.
"There are many reasons why I am extremely proud of Ernie Lindqvist, including overall work ethic, academic accomplishments and for his selection as the American Legion Firefighter of the Year," said Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor. "I congratulate him on his well-deserved award and look forward to calling him Doctor Lindqvist in the very near future."
Upon becoming a career member of the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department in November 2000, Battalion Chief Lindqvist was already trained as both a firefighter and paramedic. During his tenure, he progressed through the ranks and served in many Fire/EMS Stations throughout the County. He is currently assigned to the Department’s Training and Leadership Academy. In this position he serves as the Deputy Director of the Academy, overseeing all aspects of fire, rescue, EMS, and professional development training, as well as the High School Cadet Program.
Battalion Chief Lindqvist’s fascination with the fire service began at the age of eight, when he became a member of the Junior Firefighters in his hometown of St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands. The Junior Firefighters is a youth mentoring program within the Virgin Islands Fire Service that provides guidance counseling and education in the areas of firefighting, fire prevention, fire safety, and leadership. The program focused on community service and public safety and has been instrumental in the development of many of its members, for careers in public service.
In January of 1996, Lindqvist attended a paramedic program at the Center for Emergency Medicine of Western Pennsylvania and graduated with a Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine Certificate. Immediately, at the conclusion of the program, he secured a paramedic position working under a 9-1-1 emergency service. He continued his professional development and became an instructor in various rescue and emergency medical services programs. Shortly thereafter, he took on a leadership position as the EMS Training Director.
In January 2000, Battalion Chief Lindqvist delved back into the career world of firefighting and cross-trained as a firefighter/paramedic in the Arlington County Fire Department in Northern Virginia. He held the position for nearly a year before taking an opportunity for the same position in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
Acting Battalion Chief Lindqvist has many notable academic accomplishments. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Fire Science and minor in Emergency Management at the University of Maryland University College in 2010. He furthered his education by receiving a Masters in Public Administration Degree with a Concentration in Disaster Management from American Public University in 2012. Presently, he is completing studies to obtain his Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Policy & Administration with a focus on Public Safety and Emergency Management at Walden University.
Battalion Chief Lindqvist is a life-long student and is frequently taking courses in fire, rescue, emergency services, and public management. He exhibits strong personal leadership, as evidenced in his continued professional development and ability and commitment to pass on his knowledge through teaching and mentoring those under his command.
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