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The last update was on
Monday, May 05, 2008 12:42:27
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Dave Jones, the winner for 2006,
presented the award. The following is the speech he used...
This year's Firefighter of the Year has contributed so much to the department
and association.
Some of words and phrases that have used to describe this person are: easy
going, honest, humble, not afraid to say what's on his mind, gets along with
everyone, and goes above and beyond to help his fellow brothers and sisters of
the department. When asked to do something, this firefighter asks when,
what time and where, but never why.
When this firefighter is the driver, no matter what the run is or the community
involved, he takes care of his crew and the other member of the department.
He has tools ready when needed. He always takes care of his truck, making
sure tools, air packs, and people are where they are suppose to be. In the
winter, he also make sure that the truck is toasty warm for his crew when the
return to the truck.
This person always take care of his hall duties and has been a great mentor to
the new firefighters of the department.
This firefighter is involved with many association functions, such as:
firefighter retests, parades, fire station open houses, Christmas party and also
chairs the pancake breakfast and the Haunted Fire Hall.
This person has been dedicated to the department for over 13 years, enjoys sport
- his favorite is hockey, he loves to cook (and is actually good at it).
He even named his dog after a fire truck - Pumper.
It is my honor to presents this years Firefighter of the Year award to James
Barr.


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The following introduction was given by Assisant Chief
Eric Merriam:
I guess you all know why I am up here. To honor "THE CHIEF" for 25 years
of service. But knowing "THE CHIEF" and his ODD sense of humor, I have to
ask a question. "Chief", do you want it serious or have some fun? (like he
has a choice).
They say behind every great fire chief is a group of officers rolling their
eyes. Well here are a few things we've rolled our eyes at.
Firefighting skills: Quick to respond in an emergency (stuck in seat), driving
Engine 21 to Flushing (flying over RR tracks), driving Tanker 23 to Flushing
(first truck on scene wins), acting as a firefighter in Flushing (me first or
I'll step on you), driving Grass 27 through fields (be sure your harness is good
and tight boys, the chief is driving. Just like Cedar Point). Radio
Skills, photography skills and administrative skills.

From Assistant Chief Merriam:
A milestone.
Webster dictionary defines a milestone as "an event of significance in the
history of a nation, person, etc".
25 years may seem like an eternity to some, but for what this individual has
accomplished is significant to the history of the department. He has spent
almost half his life in the fire service.
From his humble beginnings as a firefighter, he have all he had to keep his job
and home life in balance and still give to his community.
Over the years he has held the positions of Lieutenant, Captain and Battalion
Chief.
As Battalion Chief, he also was the department Training Officer. Again,
with both feet, he ran with it full bore. Totally revamping and
reorganizing it to what it is today. Including starting the Olympics
program.
It's been 12 years since he was promoted to Chief. In those few years some
of the accomplishments he is accredited with are: implementing automatic mutual
aid for which so many other departments have copied. Lowering the ISO
rating which was a tremendous undertaking. Taught the fire academy class
for who knows how may years. Was able to bring the state retest to Swartz
Creek for which has done but progress in time. He created the web site and
taken hundreds if not thousands of pictures. Some people criticize about
the number of pictures, but he knows he is just securing our place in history.
For every association function, you can pretty much bet he had his hand in it
someway or another. In addition, he has been the secretary treasurer for
many years.
He throws out words like honor, commitment, self sacrifice. He has
knowingly put his head on the chopping block with the municipalities to fight
for what was right for the department.
Finally, he praises God and the love and support of his wife and family.
Without them he wouldn't be as driven as he is.
Ladies and gentlemen please join me in celebrating 25 years of service.
Chief Brent Cole

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As you will note, this award was named in the memory of Chris Hilden, who received the award in 1988, but later died in the line of duty, November 5, 1989, during a structure fire while operating as an engineer.
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David Spillane 1982 |
Michael Burkley 1983 |
Ron Mills Sr. 1984 |
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Jack L.A. King 1985 |
Rick Onore Keith Welch 1986 |
Charles Campbell 1987 |
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Christopher Hilden 1988 |
Patricia Cruthers 1989 |
Thomas Spillane 1990 |
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Timothy Slosser 1991 |
Stephen Tabit 1992 |
Eric Merriam 1993 |
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Brent Cole Timothy Topolinski 1994 |
Jennifer Butzler 1995 |
Benjamin Zerod 1996 |
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C. Lawrence Hodges II 1997 |
David Plumb 1998 |
Michael Treiger 1999 |
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Brendt Cole 2000 |
Barbara Urbanik 2001 |
Todd Kimbrue
2002 |
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Joseph Edgerton 2003 |
Kevin VanArsdale 2004 |
Richard Tesner 2005 |
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David Jones 2006 |
James Barr II 2007 |
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