LOS ALAMOS, NM – In honor of National Volunteer Week, today Department of Energy (DOE), Principal Deputy Administrator for the National Nuclear Security Administration Jerry Paul, recognized John R. Fredlund with the President’s Volunteer Service Award during an all-hands meeting at the Sandia Site Office.  Mr. Fredlund is a DOE employee of almost 15 years and has devoted over 300 hours to the La Cueva Volunteer Fire Department in La Cueva, New Mexico. 

“Those honored this week set a high standard for all Americans and should be proud of their service, sacrifice and generosity.  We are very fortunate, as a nation, and the Department of Energy recognizes the importance of volunteerism.  I want to thank John, the volunteers honored this week, and volunteers nationwide who play a key role in making this nation so great,” Secretary Bodman said.

Mr. Fredlund is qualified as a structural firefighter and a wild land firefighter with the La Cueva Volunteer Fire Department.  He currently serves as an emergency medial services first responder, and also performs search-and-rescue missions.  Mr. Fredlund’s important work has saved many homes and the livelihoods of families in the New Mexico community.

Mr. Fredlund was born in Cheverly, Maryland, and received his bachelors and masters degree from the University of Maryland in College Park.  He is a general engineer in safety system oversight in the Office of Facility Operations at the Los Alamos Site Office at DOE. 

As part of a broader effort to recognize individuals in honor of National Volunteer Week, Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman and senior DOE leadership traveling the country this week, will present a total of 14 DOE employees with the President’s Volunteer Award.  

President George W. Bush has called on all Americans to volunteer two years or 4,000 hours over the course of their lifetime. Through the USA Freedom Corps, President Bush wants to help every American answer the Call to Service by strengthening and expanding service opportunities to protect our homeland, support our communities and extend American compassion around the world.  Interested volunteers can find information on the USA Freedom Corps at http://www.freedomcorps.gov/ or by calling 1-877-USA-CORPS.