Awards and Honors Presented at the Event:
Years of Service Recognition
5 years of service 2007-2012
- Firefighter Chad Toomey, Volunteer's Derek Cardelli, Robert Conrath, and Chaplain Dexter Danielson, Career Lieutenant Phil Duncan
- Captain Steve Black
- Volunteer Lieutenant Stephan Prichard, Administrative Assistant Sharon Cox
20 years of service 1992-2012
- Volunteer Battalion Chief Rob Hutchens, Fire Inspector Chris Woodford
25 years of service 1987-2012
- Lieutenant Tad Buckingham
35 years of service 1977-2012
- Volunteer Division Chief Rick Schneider
Unit Citation Awards are given on a case by case basis to teams of firefighters that work together during an emergency response where a significant positive outcome occurred.
Captain Dwight Lanter, Fire Inspector Chris Woodford, Firefighters Matt Rawls, Ted Penge, Volunteer Lieutenant Brooke Brown, and Intern Emmett Middaugh for their actions on 29, April 2012 that led to the successful rescue of an unconscious trapped apartment fire victim.
Volunteer Interns Colin Scott and Andrew Jensen for their actions on September 18, 2012 that led to the successful resuscitation of a cardiac arrest victim in the 600 block of South 5th Avenue in Cornelius.
C Shift Captain Marc Reckmann, Volunteer Lieutenants Ty Augustine and John Phelan, and Volunteer Firefighters Andrea Pumarejo, Andrew Jensen, Steven Morelan, Derek Cardelli, and Steven Grieson for their actions that led to the successful resuscitation of a cardiac arrest victim on 30 July 2012.
Award of Excellence:
The Award of Excellence Commendation was presented for the first time ever at this year's banquet, going to Support Volunteer Andrew Lanter. Andrew is part of our non combat volunteer program and in 2012 he led efforts to update and improve the joint fire and police command and special operations trailer. Over the course of the year Drew also coordinated two very successful fundraisers for the non profit firefighter's association, as well as organized our department's participation in Forest Grove's annual Founder's Day Corn Roast where we are tasked with keeping the fires burning that roast the corn.
Fire Chief's Commendations:
Each year the Fire Chief personally selects one person from each department to recongize with the Fire Chief's Commendation. This is an award that goes to those people that Chief Kinkade feels best exemplify the values, mission, and goals of Forest Grove Fire & Rescue and the Cornelius Fire Department.
For his outstanding work in the field of emergency medicine that in 2012 included taking part in a number of protocol studies, and countless hours of work to ensure that our firefighters and EMT's are always ready to respond with nothing but the highest training and care possible, Fire Chief Michael Kinkade presented his annual Forest Grove Fire Chief's Commendation to Firefighter/Paramedic Will Murphy.
Chief Kinkade presented the Cornelius Fire Chief's Commendation to Fire Prevention Matt Johnston. He recognized Matt for his dedication to improving the departments communication systems in 2012 that included updated radio and satellite phone systems. Matt also received this award for his work to revamp the fire inspection program and create a regular routine fire safety inspection system for businesses in the city of Cornelius.
Rookies of the Year:
Intern Jordan Ruiz (FGF&R), and Volunteer Firefighter Garth Culbertson (CFD) earned the Rookie of the Year award for 2012 because of their dedication and service to the department and community. Both were recognized for things that go above and beyond their charisma, and engaging personality. Jordan for some of the work that he has done to not only learn as an intern, but to provide training in the field of emergency medicine where he is currently a Paramedic, and Garth for his outstanding dedication and involvement with station duties and community programs.
Firefighters of the Year:
Volunteer Jeff Bade & Career Firefighter Tony Carter (FGF&R), and Volunteer Kevin Ritcheson (CFD). These men were recognized for their involvement in a variety of projects that they organized and carried through to fruition. Jeff Bade has revised the department's pre-fire planning programs and is working diligently to improve these documents by having them available on the computers that are installed in the apparatus. Tony Carter received high marks for his interaction with the volunteer firefighters, and a selfless compassion to remain a positive mentor to those around him. Kevin Ritcheson has worked in the last year to improve the community of Cornelius through safety and prevention. He has led the department's public education efforts, and recently brought a child safety seat inspection program to Cornelius for the first time.
Officers of the Year:
Volunteer Battalion Chief Rob Hutchens & Fire Inspector Chris Woodford (FGF&R), and Volunteer Lieutenant Jason Lawson (CFD). Officer of the Year awards go beyond the typical leadership role that is expected of every officer in our agencies. Rob Hutchens was honored with this award because of his exceptional dedication to training new firefighters and helping others progress in their careers. Rob, a Captain with the Portland Fire Bureau, coordinates an educational seminar that prepares firefighters for the stressful situations that come with entry level and promotional examinations and interview processes, in 2012 he assisted dozens of Cornelius and Forest Grove Firefighters with hiring processes here and elsewhere. Chris Woodford has led our water rescue program since inception, he was nominated for this award because of the amount of time and efforts he has put into firefighter training in not just our water rescue program, but for some of the unique and new training props and aids he has built for firefighters to work with at our stations. Jason Lawson, a volunteer at both Cornelius and Forest Grove, remains one of our consistently dedicated volunteers. He regularly fills the voids in the much smaller, and lighter staffed, Cornelius Fire Station; taking time away from his family to help create a safer situation in Cornelius. In 2012 Jason led fire prevention efforts at the Pacific University Campus where he is employed, and he also coordinated firefighter training on campus to help make our crews more familiar with the campus and their buildings.
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