Left to right: Captain Greg Connolly, Fire Chief Micheal Despain, Firefighter/Paramedic Ashley Engler, Battalion Chief David Engler, Battalion Chief Robert Watton, Greg Schnasse (Chairperson Firefighter of the Year), and Jill Mlinar (Union Bank Representative)
Lincoln East Rotary Club congratulations Ashley Engler for being our Firefighter of the Year for 2020.
Lincoln East Rotary Club on February 12, 2020 honored Ashley Engler as their Firefighter of the Year for 2020. Captain Greg Connolly said that he felt that Ashley Engler deserved this honor because she is always putting her heart and soul into making LFR a better place and she is always willing to step forward, whether it be in the field, or in the station.
Firefighter Ashley Engler has been in Fire and Emergency Services since 2009 and with LFR since 2011.
Ashley has years of experience as a Hazmat Technical Operations, Engine company operations, Technical Rescue Operations and currently is assigned to Truck 8 for Lincoln Fire and Rescue. Ashley is a member of Nebraska Task Force One Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team based out of Lincoln and sponsored by Lincoln Fire and Rescue. Ashley is also a Medical Specialist and instructor/trainer. Ashley has helped with the development of the medical cache system both locally and nationally for use by Rescue Teams that are deployed to natural and man-made disasters.
She has attended and spoke about search and rescue procedures at numerous national conferences. She uses evidence-based data to develop and deliver training that will ultimately lead to better search techniques for people trapped in a building that is on fire.
Ashley is an IAFF Master Fire Ground Survival instructor who teaches Firefighter safety and emergency “ball-out” techniques across the US and Canada. Ashley is one of 30 people that do this type of instruction nationally.
She has played an intricate role in implementing new policies, procedures and training programs in her organization such as changing the culture of Search and Rescue techniques and implementing a new program. Ashley is a Rescue Technician and Medical Specialist with FEMA NE-TF1, and currently serves on the Near Miss Task, Safety Committee, Policy Committee, Technical Rescue Committee, Honor Guard and Radio Committee in her Department.
Ashley has a Master’s degree in Emergency Medical Services and Certificate in Fire and Emergency Management. Ashley is the Nebraska state representative for Women in Fire. She has many certifications and is a consummate student of the fire service.
Ashley received a certificate and a check from Lincoln East Rotary Club and Union Bank. A check for $250.00 was designated to go to the Golden Retriever Rescue.