Lieutenant Jay Compson has been a member of the fire service for nearly 24 years. He has been a certified fire instructor since 2003 and provides quality and meaningful instruction to students and fellow firefighters while serving in his role of Lieutenant with the Westerville Division of Fire, an adjunct faculty member at Columbus State Community College, and as an advocate with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Lieutenant Jay Compson, a Lieutenant with the Westerville Division of Fire, is the recipient of the Ohio Fire Service Instructor of the Year Award. A Westerville North High School graduate and member of the fire service for nearly 24 years, he is also a certified instructor who is highly respected by his students and peers and an advocate with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Lt. Compson has made it his mission to raise awareness about firefighter suicide and mental health issues, speaking to large assemblies of doctors, therapists, and experts in the field of mental health in hopes of creating programs geared specifically to the fire service. He shares with them the struggles that firefighters experience on a daily basis.
Lt. Compson exemplifies the highest character and ability to connect with both cadets and incumbent firefighters, and is considered a true mentor with an ability to build positive relationships with area fire departments and community members.