Brent Perkins, public information officer for the Shelby County Fire Department, has received the 2015 Jerome Turner Award for his contributions to the Memphis and Shelby County community by mentoring 25 young adults in the department’s Explorer program.
Perkins was honored at the 100 Club Dinner on Jan. 26.
The 100 Club of Memphis created this award to recognize an employee of any local law enforcement or firefighting agencies who has given extraordinary time and effort in service to the community. The award honors the late federal judge Jerome Turner, remembered for his lifelong pursuit of justice and positive impact.
Qualifying candidates are screened, and the Valour Committee selects one honoree each year.
The young adults in the Explorer program come from all areas of Shelby County. This program, which Perkins launched, has become a model for other Explorer posts.
The program teaches the basics of firefighting and rescue skills, how to work as a team and how to be responsible. Perkins also requires all Explorers to maintain passing grades.
Perkins has been the lead advisor for this Explorer post since 2005, and he is responsible for at least 12 past Explorers deciding to become professional firefighters, at least 10 Explorers entering the emergency medical career field as paramedics or emergency medical technicians, and others joining the U.S. military.
H
e had remained available to these Explorers 24/7 and serves as an additional adult role model during their adolescence.
The Shelby County Fire Department press release noted, “To maintain the future career goals mentoring 25 young Explorers at all times and to raise his own family is a large commitment of time and effort that Brent has accomplished for the past eight years. This commitment and impact Brent has contributed to today’s youth is extraordinary. … The Shelby County Fire Department is extremely proud of Brent Perkins in receiving this prestigious award and for his outstanding community contributions through the Explorer program.”
