February 23 - The local Victorville Rotary Club recognized Engineer/Paramedic Jay Hausman today for the 2010 O'Keefe Public Service Memorial award held at the Green Tree Golf Course and Banquet facility.

The award is named after Bill O'Keefe, a retired California Highway Patrol Captain in the City of Victorville who was also a local Rotarian. Captain O'Keefe put in many hours of service to the local community. The award recognizes local public safety personnel for their "service above self" to their local community. The Rotary club also recognized two members of the Sheriff’s Department as well an individual from the local Red Cross for their service to their respective agency.

Engineer Hausman, who was nominated by Battalion Chief Tracy Carleton, was recognized for many different activities that he commits his time to within the San Bernardino County Fire Department. "Jay has an extraordinary amount of passion for the fire service and his local community. He expends an incredible amount of energy in performing many additional duties and services in the fire department and community. Jay makes it a routine basis to improve the quality of life for his fellow firefighters and the general public" stated Chief Carleton.

Jay is a co-leader of the Victorville Division's Fire Explorer program in which he conducts monthly training sessions to young aspiring firefighters. He assists training explorers at several annual explorer programs, including the annual basic fire explorer academy and leadership academy. He is an active member of the County Fire Department's Honor Guard which provides services at funerals, memorials and other functions requiring the colors. Jay serves as a local Public Information Officer for the Victorville Division, providing timely information to the media and public regarding County Fire Department incidents and public safety programs. In October 2009, Jay spent an entire week providing important fire information to the media at the Sheep Fire that greatly impacted the community of Wrightwood. Engineer Hausman is an adjunct instructor at the Crafton Hills Fire Academy in which he teaches auto extrication, ventilation and rapid intervention crew operations. He also teaches various basic firefighting skills at the County Fire Department's firefighter academy. Jay is a paramedic preceptor in which he oversees paramedic students as they conduct their required field training with County Fire crews in the Victorville Division. He also volunteers throughout the local community by supporting the Spark of Love Christmas toy drive, the MDA fill the boot fund raiser, and other fund raising efforts for various charitable causes throughout the local area. Jay and his family sponsor a local family in need each year at Christmas time by providing them with meals and toys for their children.