The MasterGuard Education Fund is proud to be a sponsor of the Mobile Extrication Learning Center. The Action Committee decided to add the Center to the annual budget, along with, some special equipment needs. Among the special contributions were a new P.A. System, Tools, and a Rolling Tool Box. Captain Elgin Browning was a guest speaker at MasterGuard's International Convention in Dallas, Texas. As the Secretary of T.E.R.C., Captain Browning drives the Center and utilizes it in his teaching across the nation. Captain Browning is the 2001 recipient of the prestigious Harvey Grant Excellence in Rescue Award.

Captain Elgin H. Browning City of Orange (TX) Fire Department Receiving the 2001 Harvey Grant Excellence in Rescue Award

This year’s winner of the Harvey Grant Excellence in Rescue Award is Captain Elgin Holt Browning, a Captain at the City of Orange (TX) Fire Department. He is International Association of Fire Chiefs’ (IAFC) Transportation Emergency Rescue Committee (TERC) secretary and serves as coordinator for the TERC Educational Center, judges and speaks at rescue symposiums throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

Captain Browning received the award at the 18th Annual International Extrication Competition and Learning Symposium in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. TERC sanctions this annual rescue challenge and the symposium, which was hosted this year by the Burlington Fire Department.

"This award has left me speechless, no small feat as some of my friends will attest," said Browning. "I have strived to make my parents proud. I have worked diligently to serve not only the citizens of Orange, Texas, but any person in need."

Captain Browning began his vehicle rescue career in 1980 at a small school in east Texas. His interest grew, and soon he became a vehicle rescue instructor and taught in several schools in Texas under the guidance of fellow Harvey Grant recipient Dwight Clark.

In 1992, Browning attended his first TERC extrication program. Soon, he was attending international competitions, working in various capacities. In 1996, he became a TERC judge. He has also served as a judge in international competitions in the United States and Great Britain.

Captain Browning said he has been inspired by others in the field. "I have some tremendously outstanding friends that I respect and love. They accepted me into this fraternity and I am still in awe of their kindness, their compassion, and their knowledge. I have looked to people such as Dwight Clark, John Czajkowski, Steve Kidd, Al Sergio, Brad Havrilla, Mark Utley, Mike Akers and many, many others as positive influences in my life," said Browning. "They have taught me so much and I am eternally grateful. I have also been VERY fortunate in these past years to have traveled, taught, and worked with Murry Smith. He was a driving force in the acquisition of the Mobile Extrication Vehicle and an avid supporter of rescuers throughout the world."

Captain Browning drives and maintains the 50-ft. tractor-trailer Extrication Education Center. While not on the road with the TERC competitions, Browning works to support and promote the committee and the field of transportation rescue. He has re-written the TERC competition guidelines, he established and continues to maintain the TERC Web site (www.terc.org), and he has been instrumental in coordinating the financial support for the trailer and the tools used in competition.

Teaching is a passion for Browning. "I hope I am having a positive impact on my fellow rescuers and the public we serve," said Browning. "I have come to think of myself not only as a teacher, but an educator. I believe that if we strive to instill knowledge, understanding, and dedication, a passion, we have far exceeded in just showing someone memorized steps to do something."

Elgin Browning, a native Texan, has family roots in public service. "My family has been involved with public service for many years," said Browning. "My father was a career Texas peace officer with 25 years of service. I have been in the fire service since 1979. When I was a young firefighter, my dad visited my station and we were talking. He told me to always strive to have a positive impact on people’s lives. Whatever you are facing, whatever is required, people look to you. As a police officer or fire fighter, he explained that we would see people in the worst of situations. Try to have positive impact. Try to smile, try to be there for them. If they are in pain...comfort, in trouble... help, trapped... rescue. Sometimes it's physical work, it's always challenging mentally."