SAN MARCOS FIRE DEPARTMENT
San Marcos Fire Chief Les Stephens was inducted into the Texas Fire Service Hall of Honor during the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) Leadership Development Symposium in San Marcos.
Stephens has been the head of the San Marcos Fire Department since 2009, when he left his role as Battalion Chief at the Garland Fire Department. He has a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree from Texas State University and a Fire Service Chief Executive Officer certification from Texas A&M Engineering.
TEEX Agency Director David Coatney recapped the qualities and qualifications which earned Stephens the award.
”Chief Stephens is a distinguished leader within the Texas Fire Service and beyond,” Coatney told the Daily Record. “Through his leadership, the San Marcos Fire Department became one of the premier fire departments in the state and across the nation.
“As president of the Texas Fire Chiefs Association, he developed leadership programs that shaped the next generation of officers, with numerous program participants going on to serve as fire chiefs throughout Texas,” Coatney said.
Austin Fire Chief Joel Baker, who presented Stephens with the award, was one of many colleagues to praise his accomplishments and role in inspiring other firefighters during his four decades of fire department service in Texas.
“Fire Chief Les Stephens is one of Texas’ most inspiring fire chiefs,” said Baker in a statement to the Daily Record. “Reading about his professional accomplishments and having witnessed his leadership as Chief of the San Marcos Fire Department, I can say there is no one more deserving of the award.”
Baker said that Chief Stephens’ friendly advice and support helped him to settle into his role as Austin Fire Chief.
“On a personal note, Chief Stephens was the first local fire chief to welcome me aboard with a “howdy” when I was newly appointed to my role as chief of Austin Fire. He shared his knowledge and contacts to ensure I had an opportunity to connect with fire chiefs in the region, which has contributed to making my service to Austin so enjoyable.
“These acts reflect who Les Stephens is and sets the standard for all those who aspire to lead in the fire service,” Baker said.
Current Garland Fire Chief Mark Lee said that Stephens’ legacy during his years with the Garland Fire Department lives on in the example he set, both as a dedicated professional as well as a down-to-earth and popular coworker and supervisor.
Stephens was first hired at the Garland Fire Department in 1991 as a firefighter and paramedic, and worked his way up to Battalion Chief before coming to San Marcos in 2009.
“Les was a force to be reckoned with here in Garland,” said Lee, who has known Stephens for more that 20 years but never worked with him directly. “I’ve visited with many firefighters that relay his antics, his wisdom, and his passion for the fire service and for making others stronger in their own knowledge, skills and abilities through his teachings.
“Les has taught and written on a national level for a long time. His programs, from “Surviving Hostile Events on a Fireground” to Properly Preparing a Budget for Home, School, or Managing a Fire Department” are all spot on.
“His wisdom is masked by humor which also adds to the likeability of this guy. … we’ve shared, bounced, and killed ideas many, many times. I’m proud to count him as one of my best friends to the point that our daughter calls him Uncle Les.
“I’ve known countless firefighters in my four decades of firefighting but none that I’ve found more deserving of this award. San Marcos can be proud of the fact that they have one of the best,” said Lee.
San Marcos Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal Jonathan Henderson said that Stephens continues to push his colleagues to strive for excellence, an effort that has elevated the SMFD to one of the most respected fire departments in the state.
“Chief Stephens challenges us to be better every day,” Henderson said. “His leadership raised our standards, strengthened our training, and built a culture of accountability and trust.
“Because of his leadership, San Marcos is a model fire department that others look to. His induction into the Texas Fire Service Hall of Honor isn’t just a personal achievement, it reflects the work and professionalism of the entire department,” Henderson said.
San Marcos Fire Department Battalion Chief Tory Turner summarized the impact Stephens has had on the department.
“San Marcos Fire Department today bears no resemblance to what it was 16 years ago,” said Turner. “What was once one man paddling alone is now an overwhelming majority rowing in unison — empowered, accountable, and committed to excellence — while recognizing we still have some ground to cover.
“Nearly everything we are proud of today has either been led directly by him or made possible because he empowered our members to do it, “ Turner said.
The SMFD programs started by Stephens have included cancer-reduction initiatives, the implementation of exhaust capture systems and extractors in every station, as well as comprehensive physical health screenings.
Stephens also overhauled SMFD training programs, streamlining a system in dire need of improvements and benchmarks, according to Turner.
“Training was once inconsistent, outdated, and underfunded — to the point that relevant training simply didn’t exist. Everyone did things differently, and not because we were innovating, but because no standard had ever been set,” Turner said.
“Chief changed that. He single-handedly raised the bar for this department and has never allowed it to fall. There is a reason he has earned nearly every major fire chief award available: he truly is that good — and because of his leadership, this department is now that good,” according to Turner.
In his comments to the Daily Record following this latest honor, Chief Stevens focused on his continuing role at SMFD, looking forward to the challenges of expanding growth while maintaining the level of exceptional service the department provides the City of San Marcos.
“Over the last 16 years, the San Marcos Fire Department has grown into a modern, progressive organization, built intentionally to meet the needs of a rapidly growing community while never losing sight of our mission.”
“Our progress didn’t happen overnight, it was the result of clear goals, strong leadership at all levels, and firefighters who were willing to embrace change and raise the standard,” he said.
San Marcos Fire Chief Les Stephens has indeed raised the standard, all the way to the Texas Fire Service Hall of Honor.
