Above and Beyond — Prescott’s Support For Its Citizen Soldiers Earns National Accolades E5
Prescott is earning national recognition for its programs and policies supporting employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserves. Find out how this investment in “Citizen Soldiers” not only assists the troops, but pays dividends for the city and the services it provides residents.
Prescott Fire Chief Dennis Light and Prescott Firefighter Lance Mills share their stories as veterans and civil servants in this latest Arizona ESGR podcast. Prescott recently won a national Freedom Award from the Department of Defense and ESGR. It’s the highest award ESGR presents annually to employers of America’s Citizen Soldiers. It recognizes exceptional employer support, those who go above and beyond.
The City of Prescott is a full-service municipality serving a community of upwards of 46K citizens. We provide our services proudly and are pleased to be a fully supporting member of the Employee Service to the Guard and Reserve.
Today’s feature is to share our story of Lance Mills along with other citizen soldiers and airman and the corresponding support they receive from the city when deployed. The City of Prescott and specifically the Prescott Fire Department were recent recipients of the most prestigious Freedom Award during a presentation before the community in the fall of 2020.
Dennis Light is the Fire Chief with the City of Prescott whose professional credentials include being a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, Arizona State University Certified Public Manager and achievement of the much-coveted Chief Fire Officer.
In addition his formal education includes a Bachelors Degree in Public Safety Administration from Grand Canyon University (Deans List), Associates Degree in Fire Science and Aerospace Management Certificate through the Community College of the Air Force. Dennis also retired as a Master Sergeant/Fire Protection Superintendent from the US Air Force.
Lance Mills, Prescott Fire Fighter
About Your Co-Hosts
Dan Irving is Arizona State Chair of Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve. During a 38-year career in the Arizona National Guard, he served as the Arizona Air Guard’s Command Chief Master Sergeant and the senior enlisted advisor to the Arizona Adjutant General.
Today, Dan owns and operates Irving Management Solutions, a consulting company specializing in aviation Part 145 FAA repair stations.
Mike Phillips is the public affairs director for Arizona ESGR. He is a Marine Corps veteran who spent a career in journalism and municipal communications.
Mike is a freelance writer and co-founder of the Arizona Baseball Legacy and Experience, an organization that celebrates the state’s rich baseball history.
About ESGR
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of Defense agency run almost entirely by volunteers. Its mission is to support Citizen Soldiers and those who employ them. It seeks to promote a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees.
About the “We All Serve” Podcast Series
Members of the National Guard and Reserve are making a difference every day near home and around the world. The ESGR podcasts celebrate that service and the employers who support our “Citizen Soldiers” and their vital contribution to our national defense.
