K-State honors Rodney Redinger as Professional Staff of the Week

Kansas State University recognized Rodney Redinger as the Professional Staff of the Week at the Jan. 20 home basketball game. Redinger is the assistant fire management officer for the Kansas Forest Service within K-State Extension.

In Oct. 2002, Redinger joined the Kansas Forest Service as the fire training specialist. Redinger recently achieved certification as an incident commander, complex incident through the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, a prestigious credential held by fewer than 1% of wildland firefighters. This certification signifies exceptional capability in managing and coordinating responses to critical and complex emergency incidents, which require advanced leadership, decision-making and resource management skills.

Redinger currently serves as deputy incident commander for Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 2, one of only 40 national incident management teams that respond to large, complex wildfires across the United States. His leadership plays a critical role in ensuring effective wildfire response and community safety during some of the nation's most challenging emergency events. He is the first Kansas Forest Service employee to reach this level of certification.

The Faculty and Professional Staff of the Week recognitions are coordinated by Faculty Senate, the Office of the President and K-State Athletics. Recipients are selected by Faculty Senate caucuses, provided tickets to a home basketball game of their choice and honored during halftime as a small token of appreciation for their service to K-State.

— Submitted by Susanne Renberg