Cloverdale honors firefighters

Volunteers of the Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District and their families and friends honored their own on Saturday night, March 11. Some 50 people gathered at the Sisters Rodeo clubhouse for the district’s 2005 annual awards banquet.

Lt. John Brown received the Officer of the Year award as chosen by the membership of the Cloverdale Volunteers Firefighters Association. Lt. Matt Cyrus, president of the association and the 2004 recipient of the award, presented the 2005 award to Brown. That award recognizes the officer’s role of supervision and leadership.

Keith Banning was recognized as Rookie of the Year from a field of five nominees.

Certificates for 100 percent attendance at Monday night drills this past year were presented to Capt. Rex Parks, Sr., Lt. Cyrus, Lt. Brown, and Fire Prevention Specialist Deanne Dement. Parks received applause for completing his ninth consecutive year of perfect attendance. The others had each completed their second year of perfect attendance.

“Each volunteer invests about 2,000 hours in training annually,” Chief Cable explained. “Of that total, about 1,500 hours involves the Monday evening drills.”

Brown and Firefighter Rick Schneibel received plaques in recognition of their services as instructors as voted by the volunteers. Carl Perry received his 10-year service award. Special National Fire Academy coins were presented to Cory Stengel, Matt Cyrus, and Deanne Dement, who had just completed training at the Maryland academy (see related story, page 14). Dement also was recognized for her efforts in encouraging volunteers to attend the national academy.

Carl and Avril Perry were named honorary members of the association for their length of service.

New state-of-the-art fire helmets were presented to rookies Keith Banning, Spencer Cashwell, Bill Farley, Steve Pyke and Jon Kettering, replac-ing their first-year helmets.

“If you complete 10 years of service with the district, you may keep these new helmets as a reminder of your service,” Chief Cable said.

Chief Cable also acknowledged volunteers who had participated in 13 special events and district programs ranging from the “Adopt-A-Highway” litter cleanup to assisting in local fairs, parades and public service projects

Four faux pas awards were presented to firefighters in recognition of mistakes and minor humorous incidents experienced in the line of duty. Each award was a toilet plunger decorated with appropriate items associated with the incident.

After district officers were introduced, Chief Cable presented five-year pins to Secretary Sue Morgan and Director Todd Williver, and a ten-year pin to Director John Ferera. Cable noted that President Keith Cyrus has more than 40 years of service to the district and Director Tom Barrier more than 10 years.

Following a social hour and buffet dinner, Fire Chief Chuck Cable opened the program asking the audience to remember the 106 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2005 throughout the nation. He briefly reviewed the district’s major accomplishments of 2005, including receiving nearly $160,000 in grants for improved equipment and services.

During the evening, each volunteer received a packet containing special gift certificates in appreciation for their services. Gifts were donated by Central Oregon businesses. Drawings were held for other donated gifts. Spouses and significant others each received a rose for their support of volunteers.