Firefighters honored

Nevada firefighters were honored Thursday night for their hard work and devotion to duty. Several men were honored for their willingness to respond to emergencies, even when off-duty. For the second year in a row Noah Weber won the Firefighter of the Year award from Chief Bill Gillette. "Noah has demonstrated his willingness to do what it takes to prepare himself for additional responsibilities," Gillette said. "He works hard and takes every opportunity he gets for training. He really deserves this award."

By Steve Moyer

Nevada Herald

Firefighters gathered at the Nevada Fire Department for the department's annual firefighter awards dinner. Chief Bill Gillette told the assembled firefighters they were appreciated for their work and dedication to helping the citizens of Vernon County.

"We try to do this every year in recognition and appreciation for the effort put in by both the part-time and full-time firefighters," Gillette said. "Both groups put in a lot of time training and becoming prepared to handle whatever situation might come up. I think we need to let them know how much it is appreciated."

Gillette told the firefighters the figures help illustrate the success of the department. "Of the total of $5 million involved we only lost $655,000 in value," Gillette said. "We had $90,000 value of vehicles involved and lost $16,000 in value."

One of the firefighters joked that in Kansas City that would be one vehicle but here the situation is different. "It takes a lot of $500 cars to make $90,000," he said.

With the losses being as low as they are it has a lot to say about us as a fire department," Gillette said. "We're a lot better trained than we were 10 years ago, we're a lot more aggressive than we were 10 years ago, and we're better equipped than we were 10 years ago."

The department did not have any lost-time accidents and Gillette said the training and professionalism of the department was the reason. "We had no significant injuries, we were able to do the job we had to do without a lot of lost time," Gillette said. "That's a tribute to you guys. I attribute that to your education and dedication. We try to do the job as safely as we can. I applaud you all for your efforts."

"There's an inherent danger in entering a burning building. You have to remember it can bite you. You have to be ready and be cognizant of the dangers. The best advice I can give you is to follow the advice of your officers, they're there to look out for you."

Gillette told the firefighters their lives were more valuable than the property they were trying to protect. "There's not a structure out there, no matter how valuable, no matter its historic value, that is worth your life," Gillette said. "Don't ever risk your life for property. Insurance can buy it back tomorrow."

The time to take risks, he said, is when people are in danger.

"When a person's life is involved, that's different," Gillette said. "We'll put ourselves at a certain amount of risk to safe a life."

Gillette noted that October reports indicated the most active month but thought there might be a simple explanation. "Alarm rates show October to be the high month," Gillette said. "A lot of that could be explained by the fact that it's Fire Prevention Month and we do a lot of education at that time and the public is more aware of the dangers."

Two firefighters reached milestones in their careers with the department and were recognized during the dinner. Tim Bullard has put in five years on the job and Bill Jeffries has 20 years of service.

Gillette also praised the top responders, both the part-timers and full-timers who come in when they are off duty. "You guys are a significant part of our team," Gillette said. "We realize the sacrifice you put in to help us. How many people would make the kind of sacrifices you do in any other job?"

Gillette pointed out that since Nevada is a small rural community the fire department needs all the help its staff can give it. "We're a small town fire department," Gillette said. "We have to rely on the help of the part-time and off-duty staff to do our jobs well. We really appreciate it. We're fortunate that we have you guys out there in the community. We haven't had to call on mutual aid as much because of your willingness to help."

Gillette handed out the certificates of appreciation to the top responders. Firefighters Joe Brant, Joshua Smith and Brandon Claspill were the top three part-time responders. Tim Bullard, Captain Robert Benn, Troy Denney and Noah Weber were the top full-time responders.

Gillette saved the presentation of the firefighter of the year award for the end of the dinner.

"The last one I'd like to recognize is the firefighter of the year," Gillette said. "It's hard to single out one person when you have so many who do so much. This person really deserves it. He has put in the training, he has advanced himself ahead of his peers and he does his job and does it well. I've never heard anyone say anything bad about him. He has prepared himself for promotion even though there aren't any opening available now. For the second year in a row I'd like to present Noah Weber with the Firefighter of the Year Award."

Weber took the award amid good-natured joking and thanked Gillette for the opportunities he had been given to participate in the department.

Before closing the awards dinner Gillette added a few words about the department, the city government and the possible future of the department. "This is one of those jobs you can't do if you don't want to be of service," Gillette said. "Our service is to the public and that's why we're here. I'm pretty sure that everyone who is here tonight really wants to help the public."

Gillette said that while firefighters are held in high regard by the public, the public often forgets about firefighters until they are needed. "It's a job that a lot of people take for granted until something goes wrong. You're held in high esteem but some people just don't think about it until they need you," Gillette said. "Fortunately our public has come to appreciate us a lot more than in the past."

Gillette praised the city administration for supporting the department and said he hoped they would continue to do so. "We're fortunate that we have an employer that really supports its employees," Gillette said. "The city keeps us in good equipment, even our older equipment is in good condition."

The department is needing to replace one of the fire trucks because it is getting older and harder to maintain. "Engine 214 needs to be replaced," Gillette said. "Its more than 20, 22 years, old and it's our primary response for rescues. It was never designed to hold the equipment it carries today. I hope the city government can find a way to fund it."

Gillette praised the firefighters for their other contributions to the city including the fireworks show each year. "I'd like to commend you for what you do for the community," Gillette said. "I'd also like to thank you for the way you do it, you do it in a very professional manner. That says a lot about you both as individuals and as firefighters."

"The boot block -- again you're doing that for the public. No one asked you to do that except maybe MDA," Gillette said.

Gillette concluded by saying that firefighters provided much more service to the public than just putting out fires.

"You provide a service to the people want and need, you do a lot more than put out fires," Gillette said. "Thank you for all the jobs you do. It doesn't go unnoticed and it is appreciated."