Joplin lightning strike victim Jeff Taylor to be honored by Public Safety Institute

A lightning strike claimed the life of Riverside Police Officer Jeff Taylor, adding to the tragedies which befell Missourians in the wake of the EF5 twister which ravaged Joplin in late May of 2011. Taylor was on the scene responding to the disaster as a part of his duties.

Aside from serving as a police officer, Jeff Taylor also trained as a fire fighter, attending the Public Safety Institute at MCC-Blue River Fire Academy in 2007. He was part of the FA-12 class. The institute is currently organizing an effort to install a plaque dedicated to Jeff’s memory.

A visitation will be held today at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty, Mo. from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The funeral will immediately follow.

Guns & Hoses on Mondays at MCC-Blue River

Police vs. Fire volleyball competition at Guns & Hoses 2011

Anyone at MCC-Blue River looking for a little athletic entertainment is welcome to come to the gymnasium or the soccer field on Mondays during April and the first week of May to see police versus firefighters sporting events. The friendly competition series is called Guns & Hoses.

This year the public safety teams will vie to win the best three out of five games in volleyball, soccer, softball, flag football, and dodgeball.

The firefighters have held the championship cup for the past couple of years, but the police won the first contest, a volleyball competition, last Monday. Root for a favorite, an underdog or just root for a good time.

Guns & Hoses, 12 noon on Mondays in April and early May at MCC-Blue River (A&S 100 and soccer field)

Congrats Fire Academy graduates

The Public Safety Institute (PSI) of MCC-Blue River recently held its Fire Academy graduation on Monday, Sept. 20. The guest speaker for the event was Chief Ken Potter of the Gladstone Fire Department.

The presentation of colors, which began the ceremony, was conducted by the Gladstone Fire Department. The guest singer was Steve Leone (retired) of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and the invocation/benediction was given by Larry Block, Excelsior Springs Fire Chaplain.

Issuing the certificates were Basil Lister, associate dean of instruction, Mike Hendershot, PSI director, Butch Roll, PSI chief of training, Doug Hobbs and Rusty Sullivan, PSI assistant chiefs of training and Harold Kenyon, PSI instructor.

Those graduating included Amy J. Ervin, class president and cadets:

• Jeffrey M. Baar
  
• Kellene A. Lyman
  
• James E. Beebe
  
• Dustin M. Martinez
  
• Matthew T. Clemmons
  
• Salvatore A. Palazzolo
  
• Jonathan E. Cox
  
• Nicholas S. Perez
  
• Joshua D. Evans
  
• Jeremy R. Russell
  
• Alyse N. Gordon
  
• Brandon L. Smith
  
• Carl J. Hesse
  
• Shane S. Stevens
  
• Joseph R. Jones
  
• Erin E. Wakefield
  
• Joshua R. Westcott

For more information about the fire academy and other PSI programs, call 816.604.6700 or visit www. mcckc.edu/blueriver.