Fire dept. honors staff, volunteers

Steve Ward was named Firefighter of the Year and Bill Hayes was honored as Volunteer of the Year as the Sisters fire department recognized outstanding performance during its annual awards dinner Saturday evening.

It was a swan song for Fire Chief Tay Robertson, who is retiring in June. In his remarks, Robertson offered a list of wishes for the department's future, which included continuing the strong volunteer presence in the department, maintaining the high level of service and community support the department enjoys, continued commitment to safety and improved training facilities.

Robertson also joked that he hoped he could "still come down and wash my truck."

The departing fire chief saluted the staff and volunteers, along with spouses and partners who make sacrifices to enable firefighters to meet the commitments of their calling. He also broke with tradition in his Chief's Awards.

Traditionally, awards have been reserved for the personnel who respond to the calls, save lives and fight fires. This year, Robertson honored the administrative staff, Susan Houk, Assistant Chief Ryan Karjala and Julie Spor, noting that without their administrative work, the department could not be effective in its mission.

Several firefighters received the Lifesaving Award. This award must meet state criteria and, as Robertson put it, it boils down to, "someone lived because of intervention by our folks."

The incident involved a citizen who collapsed while out walking with his wife. A neighbor called 911. A passing car stopped and the driver administered CPR. Thornton Brown and Jeff Liming responded to the scene in their private vehicles and took over CPR as units from Sisters fire arrived. In addition to Brown and Liming, respondents to the call included Gary Lovegren; Rob Harrison; Eli Thienes; Steve Ward; Scott Michalek; and John Nitcher.

The responding rescue personnel used a defibrillator and shocked the patient's heart into appropriate rhythm. The patient improved all the way to the hospital and is now alive and well (and recently stopped by the fire hall to thank the crew and provide cookies).

Firefighter's Association President Ben Bruegeman presented the association awards, which are given based on votes of the association members.

Steve Ward was named Firefighter of the Year for his many responses to calls and motivating leadership. Steve and Angie Ward were named EMTs of the Year. They are known in the community for staffing the ambulance at Sisters sporting events.

Firefighter Bill Hayes was named Volunteer of the Year for his efforts in organizing the department's Spirit of Christmas event, which provided gifts for some 300 Sisters children. He also has a high level of call response.

Clay Davis was Student of the Year, while Eli Thienes was named Rookie of the Year.

Captain Dave Wellington was honored for Outstanding Fire Fitness for his personal commitment to staying fit and for motivating other firefighters to stay in shape for their challenging work.

Chuck Newport, president of the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District Board of Directors, acknowledged that this year marks the "end of a chapter."

"Chief Robertson has had an outstanding tenure here and we have been very fortunate to benefit from the last 10 years of his exemplary career," Newport said.

The board president announced that the district received 62 applications for the chief's position and he assured the gathering that there is a good selection procedure in place to ensure that Robertson's successor continues the tradition of excellence established in the Sisters fire district.

Newport noted that the board acts as a connection between the fire department and the citizens it serves and he offered a "heartfelt thank-you on behalf of the community's citizens."

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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