As Deputy Chief for Klein Fire Department one of my main responsibilities is overseeing the training program for the department. The bulk of this work is done by the departmental Training Officer who is appointed by the Chief, with seven stations and over 180 members this is an incredibly important and sometimes difficult job. The training our members receive allows them to work quickly and effectively in an emergency thereby making the people who live and work within the borders of Klein Fire Department a little bit safer. The person who has kept us on our toes and at the top of our game for the past five years is Mikel Fontana. As Training Officer Mikel’s leadership has elevated our Department to one of the best in the Houston area if not the State. The time and dedication he has given to ensuring that our members our trained to their absolute best can never be fully measured or appreciated, but you can see the confidence on the faces of the men and women who serve with us as they step off their trucks prepared to handle whatever danger might lie ahead in order to get the job done safely.

Mikel’s leadership ability in the Fire Department has not gone unnoticed, three years in a row Mikel has won the “John C. Williams” award, our department’s highest award for outstanding service. As further proof of the exemplary job he has done over the past five years the membership elected Mikel President of the Board of Directors for the department this past September. His new duties as President and his continued responsibilities as Captain of Station 33 in Memorial Chase simply do not allow him the time to continue as our department’s Training Officer, but just as you would expect from him he made sure his replacement was trained and ready to go before passing the reins. Thank you Mikel for all of your hard work!

Jim Young
Deputy Chief
Klein Volunteer Fire Department