Duvall/King County Fire District 45 held its annual Member Recognition Banquet January 21st.

Attending were retired firefighters as well as current members and guests.

The presentation began with recognition of firefighters and EMS Responders who had retired in 2005. Included in this group was volunteer Firefighter Karyn Morehouse, who retired with 16 years of service. Volunteer Firefighter Jim Russell retired after 14 years of service.

Dave Ackland, a King County paramedic, completed his volunteer service with the District after 11 years. And volunteer Firefighter Ralph Harris retired with eight years of service. Other retiring volunteer members included Ann Bethel, Cara Burrow, Dave Hollingsworth, March Rogers, Tim Schick, Brian Winther and Mike Yriondo.

Service awards were presented to current members with Chaplain Martin Redman and Fire Chief John Lambert at the top of the list with 23 years of service. Commissioner Harry Oestreich and Lieutenant Todd Light received plaques for 20 years of service. At the other end of the spectrum, the District welcomed new members Elizabeth Bunn, Ginnie Cardin, Rosa Fuquay, Campbell Gunn, Steve Lambert, Jon Poulin, Zach Stroud and Jan Vandenbos. Chief Lambert presented the Chiefs Award to Lt. John Bethel in recognition of his many contributions to the organization and his significant effort to achieve the rank of lieutenant.

Bethel, as a volunteer, had to meet the same requirements as career lieutenants which meant taking many hours of classes. Commissioner Kirk Nordlund named volunteer Firefighter Jerrell Wills as the recipient of the Commissioners Award in recognition of his positive attitude and commitment to public safety.

Wills is a sergeant with the King County Sheriff’s Office as well as a volunteer for the Fire District.

The final set of awards was voted on by members of the organization. The Officer of the Year ended in a tie so both Lt. Greg Bawden and Lt. Ryan Dhoore were named. The Driver/Operator award went to Firefighter Rick Webber. The Emergency Medical Technician award was received by Megan Lane. John Houlihan was honored as the Firefighter of the Year.

These four awards combined to represent the Fire Company of the Year for 2005. Sean Ansell was named as the Rookie of the Year for his efforts and enthusiasm in his first year off probation.

Finally, the most prestigious award of Member of the Year was presented to volunteer Firefighter Rodney Mausshardt for his continued dedication to and participation with the District. Mausshardt is in his sixth year with the organization and, in addition to his firefighter duties, serves as the Chief Advisor for the Fire Explorer Post sponsored by the Fire District.

The event included a silent auction of items donated by members that raised over $800 for Hurricane Katrina relief. District firefighters Aaron Merritt and Andy Jackson spent a month deployed to the hurricane area helping with recovery efforts.

Jackson put together a very moving slide show depicting the type of conditions he and Merritt faced when they were down there.