 December 16, 2008
Ketchikan, Alaska - The North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department held its annual Christmas Party and annual awards event at the North Tongass Community Club on Saturday, December 13th. At the annual event, four personnel were singled out for awards for their hard work and dedication in 2008. Winner of the Firefighter of the year award went to Fred Monrean, firefighter and EMT for his long time efforts to the department on a wide variety of issues dating back to the formation of the department and his willingness to train and respond to emergencies. In his usual humility, Firefighter Monrean thanked the group for their efforts and said that they all deserved the award as much as he did. Winner of the EMT of the Year for 2008 went to one of NTVFD's more active Advanced Life Support (ALS) personnel, Jessi, 'Liz' Hook for her hard work and dedication to the Department. Hook not only responded to an above average number of calls and training opportunities during last year said Dave Hull, Chief of the North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department, she did so while undertaking a personal goal of obtaining her college degree. Hull said that Hook is a very fine ALS responder and the Department and the residents of the North Tongass are very fortunate having her as a first responder. Winner of the Support Person of 2008 is the North Tongass Fire & EMS Membership Association, the Non-profit arm of the department. The Association is open to anyone who would like to contribute to the department but do not necessarily want to fight fires or responded to ambulance calls. Wendy Mackie FF1/EMT2, President of the Association accepted the award on behalf of the Association. The final award of the night was the infamous 'OOPS' award given out each year in celebration of the fact that above everything else we are, being human comes first. Chief Hull said the 'Oops' award is important as it speaks to the determination to do the very best we can with the recognition that sometimes things just do not go as planned. This year's winner is Tim Cook , firefighter and EMT who assisted at an accident that required other personnel on scene to quickly cover the victim's rather graphic wounds to protect the dignity of FF Cook's stomach as much to protect the patient's wounds said Hull. Firefighter Cook is a fine firefighter said Chief Hull and will be a fine EMT. "Sometimes the human side of our nature wins out over the protests of our inner 'Super Hero'," said Chief Hull. The evening festivities concluded with the annual auction of items donated by several business and individuals. This is one of two major fund raising efforts for the Association. The money raised from the auction goes to the Association to be used for a variety of things including purchasing of desired equipment and training not available through the usual budgetary process. A party was held earlier that
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