Awards Banquet
Each year the fire department takes a brief “time out” to recognize the hard work and efforts of our dedicated staffs at an annual awards banquet. This year’s banquet was held on May 19th at “The Mountain,” located at 5285 Rail Canyon Road overlooking the green hillside with Long Lake in the background. About 45 members and their spouses and guests gathered for a catered dinner and awards presentation. Mike Bucy, fire chief, and Kim Boardman, administrative assistant, coordinated the event which included a video presentation and drawings for door prizes.
Our local firefighters union, IAFF Local 4333, provided meals for the firefighters’ spouses and guests. Several local businesses, including Bloomingthal Uniforms, General Fire Equipment, Mark One Productions, Garden Spot Florist and L.N. Curtis Equipment, donated the door prizes.
Each year the department recognizes members for their years’ of service and presents several service awards for the previous year. Awards for 2011 included:
5 Years – Cindy Grey and Brendan Craig
10 Years – Kim Boardman
There were six award categories including firefighter of the year, officer of the year, station of the year, EMS provider of the year, recruit of the year and the chief’s award.
Candidates for these awards are nominated by members with their achievements detailed in letters to the fire chief who then decides the winners. This year’s winners were:
Firefighter of the year: The firefighter who most exemplified the values and vision of SCFPD #1 during the past year. Greg Nowak
Officer of the year: The officer who is most consistent in their emergency response and demonstrates commitment to improve their station’s operational readiness. Roy Varney
EMS Provider of the year: The EMS responder who continually provides compassionate and competent care to our citizens. Rhonda Nowak
Recruit of the year: The recruit who selflessly has gone “above and beyond” the call of duty. Summer Starks
Station of the year: The station that best exemplifies service to the community: Station 7, Springdale
Note: Station 7 personnel were placed in a new situation in 2011 as they became the hosts to the fire district’s new concept of night time staffing by volunteers. Since the Springdale fire station is the only one with facilities for berthing, the members of station 7 had a significant adjustment to their normal routine. Volunteers from all of the district stations share in the night duty assignments which necessitated big changes. The crew at Springdale responded superbly and made the program a success.
The Chief’s award: Special recognition to an individual for exemplary performance of duty to the fire district and dedication above and beyond the norm. Brian Ferrante
David Wayson was recognized again this year as the volunteer who responded to the most alarms in 2011. Ellen Sack and Matt Johnson were numbers two and three in number of responses in 2011.
The three fire commissioners added their congratulations to these individuals for their courage, sacrifice and dedication to their community. Please join us in saying thank you to these men and women and to all the career and volunteer firefighters for their service, valor and bravery.
Interested in becoming a volunteer? We’re always looking for citizens who may be interested in contributing to our community. Call us for information at 262-9660.
Please see photo on page 3 of the Station of the Year.