Program Details:
It is the policy of the City of Ketchikan Fire Department to publicly recognize and reward extraordinary, exceptionally meritorious, outstanding acts of valor and other acts or services which are above and beyond that normally expected, and which distinguish the individual or unit among those performing similar acts or services.
Letters from citizens or other non-department personnel commending a firefighter's performance may be submitted to the Fire Chief via email to kfd@city.ketchikan.ak.us for possible departmental award action. The letter shall become part of the employees personnel file.
Award Criteria and Order of Precedence:
Previous Awards:
2020:
Fire Commendation – Captain Tracy Mettler for filling the position of Fire Chief during an unplanned emergency, leadership for both the paid and volunteer staff, installing the bay door safety system, keeping the fleet of apparatus maintained, hours of liaison work for the Ladder Truck and Mini-Pumper construction project.
Firefighter of the Year - Volunteer Firefighter/EMT Chet Hugo for continued commitment and support for the City of Ketchikan and Ketchikan Fire Department, repairing items with his sewing skills, painting the fireboat, attending in-house training and participating in the Firefighter 1 training, working on driving skills, mentoring volunteer recruits, and assisting with mapping and grant applications. Recognized by his peers.
Unit Citation - Fire Marshal O’Sullivan, Captain Tracy Mettler, and Tiffany Cook for addressing training and participation in the Volunteer Program.
Unit Citation - Captain Mettler, Tyler Headley, Jeff Jones, and Ken Furchtenicht for working with Pierce and Hughes fire apparatus cutting out and replacing the fender parts on Engine 1.
Unit Citation - Jennifer Hecla and Brock Hecla for superior Information Technology support and service.
Unit Citation - Senior Medic Terry Roberts and Firefighter/Medic Brian Short for compassionate service provided in the line of service. Nominated by patients family members for outstanding care.
Unit Citation - Captains James Kleinschmidt and Dave Breitkreutz for supporting coworkers, our staff and overcoming staffing shortages in a unique pandemic year.
Unit Citation - Fire Marshal O’Sullivan and Senior Medic Terry Roberts for organizing and executing the Firefighter 1 class and PALS classes. These classes took the overcoming of pandemic social distancing to a new height.
Unit Citation - Volunteer Firefighters Caleb Gibson, Leonardo Bonilla-Troche, Shasta Fenwick, Alejandra Zarate-Kolwalski, and Lauren Gaiser for participating in the Firefighter 1 training.
Unit Citation - Firefighter/Medics Willie Shulz, Andrew Tighe, Frank Divelbiss along with Volunteer Firefighters Kim Stone and Chet Hugo for assisting with training and skills during the Firefighter 1 and HazMat class.
Letter of Merit - Firefighter/Medic Jeff Jones for carrying out the duties of the Quartermaster in a budget tight year.
Letter of Merit - Jennifer Hecla for exceeding the expectations of the Administrative Assistant position and keeping Ketchikan Fire Department on track.
Letter of Merit - Volunteer Firefighter/EMT Tiffany Cook for organizing and hosting the community good will gathering for the Tatsuda’s rockslide incident, promoting the volunteer program and taking care of the membership.
Letter of Merit - Rebekka Esbjornson for returning and exercising the duties of the Administrative Assistant in a professional manor.
Letter of Merit - Volunteer Firefighter/EMT’s Kathy Tighe and Kim Stone tied for having the most volunteer responses in 2020. Thank you for being leaders in our ranks.
Letter of Merit - Senior Medic Andy Tighe for investigation work performed with North Tongass duplex fire and leadership with HazMat curriculum and equipment maintenance programs.
Letter of Merit - Firefighter/Medic Brian Short for staying on top of business inspection throughout the year and putting together the Hoarder House lesson plan for all three shifts.
Letter of Merit - Firefighter/Medic Frank Divelbiss for work on the station air compressors, taking air samples, working with the compressor technician, and consistently checking on the fireboat.
Letter of Merit - Fire Marshal Gretchen O’Sullivan organized and taught the PALS recertification class. Proposed and wrote the issuing of individual SCBA regulator policy for SCBA’s which has provided a level of safety for our firefighters. Applied for the Fire Marshal position and is succeeding in the position. Recommended for this award by her peers.
Letter of Merit - Firefighter/Medic Jessie Austin for responding to the most callbacks for firefighters and taking care of the dive team equipment.
Unsinkable Award - Fire Chief Scott Brainard for department leadership and compassion for all members of the department. Presented by Tiffany Cook on behalf of department membership.