LEWISTON — Lewiston firefighter Jonathan “JP” Adams, a 10-year fire service veteran, was named Maine Fire Instructor of the Year on Oct. 22 in Augusta. The award was presented by Maine Fire Service Institute Director Bill Guindon during the institute’s fall instructor workshop.

The Deputy Chief Marc Bellefeuille Instructor of the Year Award is presented to a fire service instructor whose acts and deeds serve as an example to the profession, their department and peers. The recipient of the award demonstrates an ongoing commitment to serving Maine’s fire service by teaching and encouraging others to pursue excellence for themselves and/or their organizations.

The award was established and dedicated to the memory of former Biddeford Deputy Chief Marc Bellefeuille who was widely respected as an instructor for fire training and education. He was also coordinator for the Maine State Weekend at the National Fire Academy. After dedicating 38 years to fire service before retiring in April of 2011, he passed away earlier this year. 

Adams, who also serves as a volunteer on the Lisbon Fire Department and is a per diem member of the Topsham Fire Department, was chosen for the award, according to those who nominated him, for demonstrating outstanding commitment and extraordinary accomplishments in fire service training.

Adams was nominated by his peers along with other fire service instructors during the statewide nomination period held in August of this year.

The Maine Fire Service Institute is a department of Southern Maine Community College with statewide responsibility for firefighter training and the Legislative authority to issue certification.