The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

For the first time in a couple of years, the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District brought its personnel and families together last Saturday evening to recognize and celebrate the work the firefighters and EMTs (emergency medical technicians), auxiliary volunteers, and administrative staff do for the District and the Sisters community.

The awards banquet held at FivePine Lodge & Conference Center filled the house. One attendee said it was downright moving to see everybody gathered together again after pandemic safety restrictions prevented in-person gatherings two years in a row.

The annual awards event recognizes service to the District and the community from the wide range of people involved — from career firefighters and EMTs to trained volunteer firefighters and EMTs, to Fire Corps volunteers who support firefighters and offer community training classes, to community partners.

The most critical service firefighters and EMTs can offer to their community is to save a life — and the Sisters Fire District has a remarkable record of life-saving actions, sometimes saving people who were teetering at — or over — the very brink of death. The District recognized lifesavers from 2020 Jeremy Ast, Rachel Ulm, and David Ward.

Lifesaving awards for multiple incidents in 2021 were presented to: Tyson Gradwahl; Jeremy Ast; Campbell Clarke; David War; Pat Burke; Brian Heisler; Cody Meredith; Rob Harrison; Rachel Ulm; Travis Martin; Damon Frutos; Matt Millar; Emily Spognardi; and Israel Pintor. Civilian lifesavers Brent Crosswhite, Travis Krieck, Megan Bovi, and Bryan Morris were also recognized.

Some participated in more than one lifesaving call.

Career Firefighter awards when to Cody Meredith and Thornton Brown for their long-term service. The Chief’s Award of Excellence was presented to Beverly Halcon, who works tirelessly with the Fire Corps in community education and support. Awards of Merit went to Marti Stuker and Katie Yates.

The District recognized its vital connection with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, presenting that agency with its Partnership Award.

Campbell Clarke was recognized for Fire Fitness and named Rookie of the Year, while Firefighter of the Year honors went to Mike Terwilliger. Volunteer of the Year is Kyle White, and Dominic Dertorossian was named EMT of the Year.Robin Hom was honored for her Fire Corps work.

Length of Service recognition was made:

Five years: Larry Stuker, Marti Stuker.

Ten Years: Matt Millar.

Fifteen Years: Gail Butler, David Gentry.

Twenty years: Jeff Liming, Steve Ward, Stuart Honeyman.

Chief Roger Johnson introduced a new Firestorm Award.

“In September 2020, the Oregon fire service’s actions transcended their typical call of duty to help their communities as many grappled with a historic wildfire event.

In just 24 hours, 14 conflagrations were declared, as fires burned in 12 different counties.

Yet the fire service responded with one mission, to protect life and property.

Following the historic events of the 2020 fires, the Office of State Fire Marshal and the Oregon Fire Chief’s Association partnered to develop a first-of-its-kind campaign award for those who served their community during the September firestorm.

This award will be given to members of the Oregon Fire Service who responded to these fires, either in suppression or support capacity.

“The awards were designed after campaign bars or battle bars, which denote a particular campaign, battle, or region the recipient operated in to receive the award. The heroism and bravery of this event exemplify what this bar represents. The colors chosen for the award represent the sacrifice and historic nature of September 2020. The black bar represents the loss associated with the fires, the red bar represents the intensity of the fires, and the orange signifies the dedication of those who fought these wildfires across the state.”

Recipients are: John Failla; Kevin Cramer; Roy Dean; Angel Cisneros-Thorsvold; Rita Hodge;David Ward; Mike Terwilliger; Steve Ward; Sarah Bialous; Julie Spor; Tim Craig; Travis Bootes; Ben Duda; Sadie Ford; Emily Spognardi; Isaac Crabbe.