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McNeill named top firefighter
Doug Flanagan/Post-Register
Nigel McNeill (far left) stands with other honored firefighters at last Saturday’s Grant County Fire District No. 3 banquet.
The 2009 Grant County Fire District No. 3 volunteer firefighter of the year did such a good job last year that he’s no longer a volunteer, ironically enough.
Nigel McNeill was given the district’s top annual honor — earned by the most active volunteer over the past year — at its awards banquet, held Saturday night at the Quincy Community Center. McNeill had spent five years as a district volunteer before accepting a full-time firefighter position last month.
“He stepped up and worked his tail off,” said chief Don Fortier. “I’m proud of him. He’s come a long ways. He’s always been there for us and somebody we can depend upon.”
Nick Treyo was given the award for second-most active volunteer. Oscar Nunez took home two awards — rookie of the year and the chief’s award.
“(Nunez) really stepped up,” Fortier said. “I call him the ‘Silent Giant.’ ”
Shannon Durfee and Adam Longoria was presented with community service awards. Marcus Westra was given the dedicated volunteer award.
Service awards were presented to Longoria, for 10 years; Debra Bowling, for 20 years; Duane Hardt, for 25 years; Ed Bews, for 30 years; and Fortier, for 37 years.
Along with McNeill, who worked out of the district’s Crescent Bar station, the most active firefighters at the district’s six other stations were also recognized: Treyo for the Quincy station; Kent Bacon for the Winchester station; David Hubbard for the Block-71 station; Dirk Dunn for the Low-Gap station; Andy Nielson for the George station; and Arlin Hinkle for the Sunland Estates station.
David Benitez, Ed Bews, Scott Cook, Luke Garrison, Duane Hardt, Russ Harrington, Hinkel, Tom Keller, Sonia Padron, Angel Ramirez, Jorge Rios, Bonnie Worley, Devin Schlotman, Fred Hobbs and Nunez were presented with name tags and collar brass to recognize their service as volunteers.
Scalehouse Cafe was given the employer of the year award.
“They really stepped up when we needed extra help,” said volunteer firefighter chief Jeff Spence, the banquet’s emcee. “When we were dealing with the Quincy Market fire, (owner) Tracy (Kissler) fed all of the volunteers. That was awesome. He also gave them gift cards. They really appreciated that.”
At the end of the evening, Fortier summed up what the event was all about.
“I’d like to thank the volunteers,” he said. “You make the difference. You’re putting your lives on the line to save other lives. I don’t think the community realizes what you do to make this a better place to live. We had a good year; a couple of major fires, but no major injuries. That was great, and we look forward to another good year in 2010.”
