Rivera named Firefighter of the Year

Matt Rivera was named Firefighter of the Year as Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District firefighters and emergency medical technicians were recognized with awards Saturday night at Sisters Community Church.

More than 75 district staff, volunteers, board members, and spouses attended the 67th annual awards banquet.

Fire Chief Taylor Robertson recognized one volunteer and two staff with the first presentations of the Chief’s Award for Excellence. Volunteer firefighter and volunteer coordinator Dave Wellington, Captain David W. Moyer, and Captain Thornton Brown each received the award.

Matt Rivera received the Firefighter of the Year award from Jeff May, president of the Sisters Fire and Ambulance Association, a recently reorganized non-profit organization of fire personnel and citizens.

The association also presented its Volunteer of the Year award. That was a three-way tie with Les Schell, Rita Hodge, and David K. Moyer all winning recognition. Rookie of the Year award went to Josh Mikota, and Beth Mitchell received the EMT award.

A standing ovation was given Captains Jeremy Ast and Gary Lovegren when Chief Robertson presented each with a Life-Saving Award. With the help of Cloverdale Fire Department personnel, they successfully used a defibrillator to save the life of a Cloverdale heart attack victim in January. The victim was transported by AirLife to Bend and later walked out of the hospital to recuperate at home with no permanent disability.

Ten-year service pins and certificates were presented to Shane Hartford and Tom Haynes.

Five-year service awards were presented to Jay Crawford, John Gerke, Jeff May, Robert McLean, Scott Michalek, John Nitcher, Dave Parman, Chuck Pyle, Mike Ryan, Mike Sims, Jack Walsh, and Denise Wheeler.

Other awards were presented to other personnel for special service, including some humorous ones for incidents occurring during the past year.

A highlight of these awards was a presentation by Jeff Liming, last year’s winner of the Water Shovel Award, recognition given annually for an embarrassing on-the-job incident.

As last year’s winner, he received nominations for this year’s award.

Without disclosing names, he highlighted half a dozen incidents and then let the audience decide the winner. Lyman turned out to be a repeat winner with his 2004 incident when he accidentally opened a water tender valve in the fire hall and flooded the bays.

“We have had a great year,” said Board Chairman Dave Elliott in thanking all of the personnel and their families for their dedicated service.

Chief Robertson echoed these remarks, thanking the personnel for their support during his first year as Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Chief.

He summarized accomplishments of the past year including hiring of new personnel, increased involvement of volunteers, expanded training opportunities, continued community service, application of grant funds for an improved radio communication system, and completion of a strategic plan and a facilities plan for the district.