Sisters-Camp Sherman firefighters hold awards dinner

Sisters-Camp Sherman firefighters and paramedics reviewed a busy, challenging year at the 66th Anniversary Awards Banquet held Saturday evening, April 26, at Sisters Community Church.

Upon entering, firefighters, board members and their guests were welcomed with beautifully set tables of appetizers and punch. A slide presentation done on a large screen above the stage provided quick glimpses of heroic efforts, training -- and comic relief.

Especially riveting were the photographs of the Black Butte Ranch blaze with amazing, close-up insider views.

Chaplain Ed Beacham gave the invocation and prayer. Chief Don Rowe spoke movingly of his years in service and his respect for, and appreciation to, all who have worked with him. He related memorable stories of the long hours and the dedication of the volunteers.

In a moving tribute, Rowe introduced his mother, Rita.

Board Vice-President Al McKenzie recognized special guests Federal Special Agent Sauter, FBI, and United States Attorney John Ray in gratitude for their tireless investigation and successful prosecution of former Board Chairman Sheriff Greg Brown.

The funds Brown embezzeled were returned to the district (see related story, page 1).

"We just want to go on from here. We want closure." said Chief Rowe. "Thanks to Agent Robert Sauter and Attorney Ray, that is now possible."

The celebration continued as awards were presented.

Ted Larison, scholarship student, won Emergency Medical Technician of the Year; Jeremy Ast, career firemedic, Firefighter of the Year; Volunteers of the Year (a tie), John Gerke, Association Vice-President, and Jeff Liming, Association President; Steve Ward, volunteer firefighter and dispatcher for Deschutes County 911, Rookie of the Year.

Stephen Fisher, volunteer, earned the Water Shovel Award.

(Note: This is an inside joke regarding an award given to the one who screwed up the most in communications.

It originated when a water shuttle was ordered and the command was received by a newbie who heard "water shovel." Said newbie proceeded to search high and low, demanding that senior officers tell him where to get one.)

This year's perpetual award was a "golden" shovel attached to a bucket. Fisher will do the honors in presenting it in 2004 to the next recipient.

Fisher was also honored with a very significant plaque. It is the Special Chicken-'N-The-Egg Award. Seems Fisher mistakenly ordered a few thousand extra eggs for last Easter's egg hunt.

This year's event offered a ton of the plastic replicas filled with candy.

Special Recognition was awarded Bernadine Lowery, the first EMT in Sisters, and to Georgia Gallagher, also one of the founding EMTs who was instrumental in obtaining the original ambulance here.

Former Fire Chief Don Mouser was honored, as were Budget and Board Directors Glenn Keeran, Al McKenzie, Chan Cathcart, Don Boyd, Steve Spear and Dave Elliott.

And last, but certainly not least, the entire staff was thanked for each member's hours of valor and dedication.

The Year In Review presentation recognized the hundreds of hours volunteers contributed in providing fire protection and suppression, emergency medical services, public education of fire prevention, safety programs, medical information and advisories, free blood pressure checks and the American Red Cross blood drives at the main fire hall every month.

An upcoming event of interest is The Fire Safety Fair and EMS Fair at the Village Green on Elm Street.

The event will be held on Saturday, May 24.

Participants will be Sisters-Camp Sherman, Deschutes 911 Center and Cloverdale and Black Butte Ranch Fire Departments.