Each year, the Nevada State Firefighters’ Association recognizes a Nevada Fire Service organization that has demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to their community. This year, that recognition of excellence goes to our very own Fallon/Churchill Volunteer Fire Department.
Mayor Ken Tedford and Fallon City Council members honored the department last week during a ceremony where each department member received a custom-made plaque acknowledging their outstanding achievement and the city’s appreciation of their exceptional efforts. “We don’t take you for granted,” said Mayor Tedford, “We know what you do.”
The NSFA assesses departments throughout Nevada in several areas. To earn this prestigious award, not only must active members attend a high percentage of training, meetings, and fires, but they are examined as a department in areas like assisting other neighboring departments with training or equipment and maintaining programs that bring honor, public relations, and service in the line of professionalism and human kindness to their community. The NSFA also considers the number of outstanding calls a department responds to in a year and their participation in significant incidents that illustrate valiant performance or service to the community.
According to Fire Chief Jared Dooley, they have a broad scope of responsibilities responding to structure fires, wildland fires, and vehicle extractions. They also answer non-fire-related calls, including gas leaks, hazardous materials spills, swift water rescues, water recovery, and more, all while assisting other agencies when needed. “We do all of this with one department, four stations, 44 volunteers, and 25 pieces of rolling apparatus (trucks, engines, etc.) to cover the 5,000 square miles of Churchill County,” said Dooley in an earlier interview after receiving their ISO1 rating. FCVFD also ensures the 575 hydrants within the city and the county are functioning correctly, which means testing and maintaining 25,300 feet of fire hoses and enough large-diameter hoses to reach from Walmart to Big R.
“This is finer than being ISO1,” Tedford stated, regarding the FCVFD receiving the highest possible rating earned by a fire department. “This is a culmination of your efforts over the years to get you where you are.”
Mayor Ken Tedford, Councilwoman Karla Kent, Councilwoman Kelly Frost, and Councilman Harmon presented awards to: Firemen Blake Brandenberg, David Brown, Rafe Brown, Jais Chamberlain, Dan Diaz, Andy Dooley, Hunter Drost, Mike Elmore, Tyson Ernst, John Ezzell, Eric Fain, Jarrod Frey, Wyatt Getto, Dylan Gray, Ozzie Henke, Chris Henning, Sean Hessey, Steve Hiskett, David Hoffman, Destry Johnson, Gary Johnson, A.J. Lister, Jeff Prinz, Nate Rogne, Pete Rubio, Dan Shaw, Leif Steinbaugh, John Swanson, Cory Tolman, Milt Wallace, and Jake Whitaker. Also recognized were Captains Alex Haffner, Charlie Knittle, Justin Judd, Brad Dolan, Chris Rogne, Mitch Young and Assistant Chiefs Russ Jonte, Tony Myers, and Randy Sharp, along with Fire Chief Jared Dooley.
“Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the community,” said Tedford, which echoes the sentiment of the entire community.
Comment
Comments