December 29, 2009
Tuesday

Ketchikan, Alaska - The North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department (NTVFD) held its annual awards ceremony December 12th. Awards, voted on by members of the department, are intended to acknowledge extra efforts made by members throughout the year according to information provided by Chief Dave Hull.

The recipient of the Firefighter of the Year Award went to Greg Brown. Brown was nominated by his peers for his eagerness to lend a hand and for his ability to remain calm during stressful situations said Hull. It was Brown's ability to stay calm during a recent call where despite being momentarily short handed on a fire scene, due to the fact all other personnel were required on a related medical call, Brown was able to supervise the extinguishment of the fire said Hull. While only an official member of the department for a short period of time, Brown has a long-standing relationship of offering his services and skills to the department whenever help is needed said Hull.

The recipient of the EMT of the Year Award went to Dave Andrews. Andrews was nominated for EMT of the year by his peers because of his achievements in both his personal life and at the department this last year said Chief Hull. Andrews' eagerness to always help, his incredibly friendly manner, and his unique ability to put our patients at ease were reasons quoted for his winning EMT of the year said Hull. In the last year Andrews has managed to take both Fire Fighter1 and EMT1 classes, while also pursuing a degree in Theology and maintaining a full-time job with the Coast Guard. While Andrews may have been presented with the award we would also like to thank his wife Susan for the support she provides to Andrews and his efforts at the department said Hull.

The recipient of the Support Person of the Year Award went to Heather Hildebrandt. Hildebrandt took it upon herself this last year to spearhead the department's rehabilitation unit said Chief Hull. Hildebrandt continues to work on improving the functionality of the department's rehabilitation unit in an effort to ensure the safety of all fire and EMS personnel on all emergency scenes requiring rehab. In addition to rehab Hildebrandt also spent numerous weekends this last year learning to do rig-checks on the medics, and always makes herself available to help on all other department functions said Hull.

Hull said the recipient of the Oops Award of the Year went to Andy Tighe. Tighe was nominated by his peers for getting Tanker 8 a little too close to one of the departments drop tanks during a water operations drill this last year. He had just switched places with a new driver offering to "show him how it's done." After striking the drop tank, the new driver responded, "OH, I see" Tighe's wife, Cathy, accepted the honor on Tighe's behalf.

Source of News:

North Tongass Volunteer Fire Department
www.northtongassfire.org

 

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