Fire District 3 firefighters honored
Published 8:00 am Wednesday, April 11, 2007
South Whidbey honored its firefighters during the annual Island County Fire District 3 awards banquet recently at Freeland Hall.
Each year the district takes time out to honor those volunteers who have given an extra effort.
Don Elliott, coordinator of the high school firefighter program for the district, received the officers’ choice award. The Carl Simmons Award is voted on by all the officers in the district. Elliott, a retired firefighter from Honolulu, Hawaii, has been with the district for nearly 10 years.
“He is the coordinator and instructor for the successful high school program. He is the trainer for the year-around classes, and, ultimately, he evaluates the high schoolers when they finish the course,” said Fire District 3 Chief Dan Stout.
For 2006, firefighter Kevin Craig of the Clinton station was named firefighter of year. Craig was chosen by the station captains out of the six firefighters honored from each of the six stations.
Other firefighter station honorees were: Amber O’Brien and Robin Flem, Freeland; Tony Price, Maxwelton; William Wheeler, Saratoga; Brian Vick, Bayview and Robert Harrison, Langley.
In addition to those who were named as firefighters of the year in the individual fire stations, firefighter/EMT Jon Shields received the most inspirational award. Shields, 22, was seriously injured in a one-car accident in January. He is undergoing rehabilitation to walk again and is at home on South Whidbey.
Paramedic of the year was awarded to Steve Lewis and Melissa Simmons. Simmons was also named EMT of the year, and Jon Gabelein received the Star of Life, an award given to the EMT who responds to the most calls for medic services.
Andrew Weiner was selected high school firefighter of the year.
Brian Vick was honored as technical rescuer of the year; Tony Price was named the recruit of the year. Eric Unke went home with the marine rescue award.
Dylan Jefferies was recognized for his public education efforts and Penny Busch was honored for her support services to the district.
