Gerry Strider, of the Bailey’s Crossroads fire department, honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
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| Gerry Strider |
Gerry Strider, president of the Bailey’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department since 1977, has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by Volunteer Fairfax.
Strider has donated more than 37,000 hours to the fire station over the past 48 years, while ensuring the station is well equipped.
The Bailey’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department, located on Columbia Pike, is a nonprofit volunteer organization. The fire station typically has 29 runs a day and is one of the top three busiest stations in Fairfax County.
Strider led the fundraising for and coordinated the purchase of 10 ambulances, four fire engines, and three utility vehicles, raising more $1.95 million between 2003 and 2019.
After the station’s roof collapsed during a snowstorm in 2010, Strider led the rebuilding effort. He pushed for new technology at all county fire stations and raised $25,000 for the county’s first thermal imaging camera, which is used for search and rescue. Over the years, he recruited more than 750 active duty volunteers.
Strider runs monthly membership meetings, monitors staff training and activities, and achieved station recognition as the district’s best public open house for fire safety week. He directed the evaluation of insurance coverage for systemwide volunteers with a focus on workers’ compensation. In 2015, he initiated the countywide Length of Service Award Program, a first-ever retirement plan for active duty operational volunteers.
6 responses to “Gerry Strider, of the Bailey’s Crossroads fire department, honored with Lifetime Achievement Award”
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These guys were at my house within 5 minutes when my dad had a stroke while visiting in 2015. They are a huge asset to our community.
Well deserved!
Gerry, so happy you were recognized! Congrats and best wishes!
This is a well-deserved honour for Gerry Strider. Fire-fighters are the real heroes without capes. For someone to have dedicated 48 years of his life to public service is no walk in the park! What would our society do without people like him? You have our deepest gratitude, Gerry!
Super well deserved. Thank you Gerry! Our family has known him for years.
Congratulations on a long career. I have fond memories of the time you and I were on the ambulance together.