Himrod names Parish Firefighter of the Year

HIMROD—The Himrod Fire Department held their annual awards banquet Saturday, Jan. 19, recognizing Brandon Parish as Firefighter of the Year as well as honoring the dedication and effort put forth by first responders during 2012. Former Fire Chief Jared Webster said Parish would spend hours traveling with the trucks to make sure everything was working right.
“He gives and gives and gives,” Webster said. “We are very truly blessed to have him in our department.”
Webster started off the award presentations by acknowledging the loss of Gordon Andersen in 2012, saying this would have been his 45th year of service with the Himrod Fire Department. Webster presented his service plaque and pin to his wife, Jeanine Andersen.
“Gordon would be so proud and honored to have gotten that award tonight,” Andersen said. “He loved all of you, especially the women.”
Andersen was also later awarded with the Special Community Recognition Award for bringing cookies and baked goods to every fire department meeting and keeping them in good spirits.
Stephen Acker presented Lynnette Christiansen with the 2012 Presidential Award. Acker said she “went above and beyond” in assisting him and helped the fire department put on their events.
Acker was later presented with two awards himself, taking home the Past President’s Award for exemplary service and the Chief’s Award. Webster said when he was chief, Acker was always there when he needed someone to talk to and was always there to help him, especially on the financial end of things. Acker credited his successs to Howard Covert, saying he has always helped him in his six years with the department. Waylon Fritz and Steven Hoover also received the Chief’s Award for their service.
Roger McKamey was presented with the First Responder Award. Acker said McKamey did a lot for the department in the past year and went above and beyond when it came to EMS calls.
The award for the most training hours went to Leon Ray Hoover, who accumulated 135 training hours in 2012. “I don’t know how he does it, other than he’s not married,” Webster said. “We are so lucky to have him here.”
The Himrod Fire Department Achievement Award sponsored by D. B. Miles was presented to Helen Jensen and Dave Swarts. Webster said these two really stood out in the past year, helping out with every dinner and chicken barbecue put on by the fire department.
The Lucy Covert Award for dedicated service to the Himrod community was presented to Steve Webster. Jared Webster said he has given a lot to the department and has helped keep them organized.
Webster also received recognition awards for his years of being fire chief from both Himrod and Dundee Fire Departments. He said he had just finished up a two year term and has done it six times before.
The dinner was put on by the Dundee Fire Department, who will be holding their own end of the year awards banquet Friday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m.