It may seem funny that here we are a quarter of the way through 2010 and we at FGF&R are still thinking about 2009, but that's exactly what we did last Saturday at our Awards and Recognition Banquet. This event is held each spring to look back on the previous year to not only reward our staff and volunteers for a job well done, but recognize the sacrifices that our families make when we do our jobs.
C Shift Firefighter Brad Shinpaugh was selected by the staff and volunteers as the 2009 Rookie of the Year. Brad is highly regarded because of his easy going attitude and friendly personality. Brad coordinates our Community Emergency Response Team, which is a program that trains community neighbors on how to handle a major emergency or natural disaster. In 2009 Brad also worked to set up the "Fill the Boot" fundraiser that the International Association of Firefighters does every year with the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Volunteer Firefighter Ben Langbehn was recognized as the Volunteer Firefighter of the Year because as Fire Chief Michael Kinkade put it "When you consider what this young man did in 2009, attending paramedic school, completing his required clinical rotations and ambulance hours, working multiple part time jobs, and still making over 100 calls with us; he basically worked the equivalent of three full time jobs." Ben was one of our first high school Cadet Firefighters in 2001, worked his way through the Fire Science Program at PCC, and wrapped up the Paramedic Program at Chemekta Community College last fall, all the while he has remained dedicated to his hometown fire department. In 2009 he was one of our top volunteer responders, attended almost all public education events, and extra activities, and helped with our Christmas Toy Drive. Last month all of the years of hard work paid off for Ben as he was hired by the West Valley Fire District near Willamina, Oregon. Ben remains committed to Forest Grove and will still reside here and volunteer with FGF&R however, where he will be one of three volunteer paramedics.
Matt Rawls, Ben Langbehn, and Brad Shinpaugh with their awards after the banquet
Matt Rawls was not only the Master of Ceremonies for our banquet but he also received the Career Firefighter of the Year award. Our Career awards are voted on by the volunteers in our agency, and Matt was selected because of the support that he offers our volunteers. Matt works closely with our intern firefighters, providing them with support and guidance as they work through their fire and paramedic programs at the community colleges. He is regarded as one of the most enjoyable people to be around, and very rarely has a bad day. Matt and Ben have quite a few things in common, both were in our first Cadet class in 2001, each of them received their Paramedic training at Chemeketa Community College, and they both have worked for the West Valley Fire District. We hired Matt in 2008 and he is currently assigned to our C Shift as one of our Firefighter Paramedics.
It's a bit odd to write this next paragraph, as I was lucky enough to be honored as the Career Fire Officer of the Year, so bear with me as I speak in the third person. Fire Inspector David Nemeyer was presented with the Career Officer of the Year award because of his service to the extra projects that make FGF&R successful. David leads the High School Cadet Program, manages the day to day operations of our Fire Prevention Division, started our social media campaign, and in 2009 coordinated the Christmas Toy Drive Program that we do with the firefighters from Cornelius Fire & Rescue which provided over 1,000 local children with a new toy last holiday season.
Dexter Danielson may not put on the turnouts and fight the fires that we do, but he provides an often times overlooked but always appreciated service to our community. Dexter is our Chaplain, and with a rash of very serious calls in our area in 2009 Dexter was an invaluable part of our organization. While we work to solve the emergency at hand, Dexter works with the families and those affected. He offers our neighbors guidance and support, and when the emergency is over he supports the firefighters who deal with things that are often unimaginable. What's more he does it all out of his own kindness and desire to help others. The former Washington County Sheriff Deputy is highly regarded by our staff and was selected as our 2009 Volunteer Fire Officer of the Year.
Fire Chief Michael Kinkade (Left) presents Chaplain Dexter Danielson with the Volunteer Fire Officer of the Year AwardFinally the prestigious Fire Chief's award was presented to A Shift Firefighter Geoff McFarland. Geoff is one of the most outgoing and ambitious members of our entire department. In 2009 Geoff made a significant impact in the safety of our community when he coordinated our first ever car seat safety clinics. Geoff works closely with the Oregon Safe Kids to provide this invaluable service once a month in our city. As important and daunting this task may be, Geoff doesn't stop there. In 2009 Geoff and his wife Nicole organized our summer co-ed softball league, and with the help of their family also set up our annual awards banquet.
Congratulations to all of the award winners and our heartfelt appreciation to the families and loved ones that we all too often leave at home when we respond on emergencies.
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