MS Fire of Chief of the Year is Right Here in Diamondhead

Chief Jerry Dubuisson has been leading the Diamondhead Fire Department for eight years, and in honor of his many years of service and dedication to the fire department, he was awarded Fire Chief of the Year by the Mississippi Burn Foundation. Dubuisson says, "It’s a very humbling experience, number one, to be nominated. I’ve got a great group of peers throughout the state. I know so very many of them. So to be nominated is one thing, and I know that sounds very cliché, but to even win is even more humbling. I’m just very honored to be the recipient."

The Mississippi Burn Foundation says Dubuisson is deserving of the award because of his dedication to his job and the community. Amanda Fontaine of the Mississippi Burn Foundation says, "Every time that there is a burn victim from his community, I get a phone call immediately letting me know that that family is on the way to the burn center."

Chief Dubuisson has been putting out fires for 33 years, but his friends and family say it’s his burning passion to protect others that makes him so deserving of this award. Anthony Sciacca, Diamondhead Fire Captain, says, "I think caring about people is probably his biggest quality." Candy Dubuisson, Chief Dubuisson’s wife, says, "A lady here in Diamondhead, she was having some friends over, and she forgot she put her Tupperware in her oven, and she turned her oven on and of course the fire department had to respond. She was embarrassed, but he had the guys go in there and they cleaned up her oven and took care of her and he still goes by and he checks on her. He just loves his people."

While he’s proud of this achievement, Chief Dubuisson says it’s his peers that made him who he is today. He closes, "It’s not just about me. I’ve got a great department here. I came from a great department, and I think it’s about pulling together and doing your job and being there for the community."

Whether it’s a minor fender bender or a deadly fire, firemen put their lives on the line for the safety of the community every day.