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Presentation of the Farmers Branch Fire Department’s 2018 Fire and Life Safety Excellence Award
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BACKGROUND:
In February 2014, the Farmers Branch Fire and Life Safety Excellence Award was created to recognize a Farmers Branch building engineer or director of operations who exemplifies the highest commitment to the protection of life and property by ensuring a safe work environment for citizens and emergency responders.
The building engineer or director of operations is often the key liaison to the fire department in the event of building evacuations, annual fire prevention inspections, medical emergencies, and more importantly, during building construction and remodel projects.
An award nomination committee was selected, comprised of chief officers, to review an engineer’s or director of operations past performance. Nominees for this award were submitted to the awards nomination committee. Each nomination was well deserving of this award, as they exemplified the skills and outstanding collaborative cohesiveness with city officials and fire prevention personnel.
The Farmers Branch Fire Department is very proud to announce Ms. Angela Keefer as the recipient for the 2018 “Fire and Life Safety Excellence Award”.
Angela Keefer is the Director of Operations for Parish Episcopal School, located at 4101 Sigma Rd. Angela has been in the industry and with Parish Episcopal School for over 9 years. Angela currently spends most of her time maintaining a 4-story, grades 3-12 educational occupancy within the City of Farmers Branch on 56 acres. She manages an annual budget of $1.8 million. This includes supervision of 7 maintenance staff. She also oversees the Farmers Branch Police Officers that serves the school.
Angela is also responsible for coordinating the use of the buildings and grounds by others in the metroplex community. In the past, she has coordinated over 1,000 members of the Episcopal organization for an annual meeting, Feed My Starving Children, where community volunteers met at the school to package over 1 million food bags, and most recently hosting a speaking event with Barbara Pierce Bush.
Angela has promoted life safety for the 916 students, 150 faculty members, parents, and visitors. She coordinates monthly fire drills and stays in constant communication with the City of Farmers Branch Fire Department. Angela designs safety policies and ensures compliance with fire, severe weather, and lockdown drills. Just recently, she brought in Farmers Branch security specialists to conduct intruder training for the administrative staff.
Some of Ms. Keefer’s recent accomplishments are as follows:
• Oversight of construction of 24,000 square foot activities center that cost approximately $5.5 million. This oversight during construction included meetings between construction and city staff for permitting. She attended meetings with City P&Z officials and was part of a presentation of the building concept with the Farmers Branch City Council.
• Oversight of a facilities audit that was conducted by an outside third party that identified specific building, machinery and equipment that will need to be replaced in the next 15 years. Angela worked with the consultants to identify and clarify data. This assistance was invaluable in accurately estimating the timing and cost.
• Completion of a four-year project to refurbish of 36 electric panels in the power room to ensure consistent power delivery at a cost of approximately $180,000.
Angela’s dedication, attention to detail, experience and professionalism are apparent. Her trustworthiness and dedication to her role is unmatchable. She has a deep passion and commitment to the school and community and shows in her dedication to her profession. Angela’s pursuit of excellence always comes with a smile on her face.
Angela is a steady, dedicated servant to her profession and puts the operation of the building and its life safety systems as the highest priority, ensuring the safety of all occupants.
The Farmers Branch Fire Department recognizes Angela Keefer for her diligence and commitment to the protection of life and property at Parish Episcopal School in the City of Farmers Branch.