Happy Valley, Anderson firefighters honored

Photo by Paul Robeson, Reporter

Volunteer Lee Hart (left) with the Anderson Fire Protection District was honored as one of the departmental Firefighters of the Year by Interim Chief Roy Del Carlo.

Volunteer Kory Keffer (left) with the Happy Valley Fire Protection District was honored as one of the departmental Firefighters of the Year by Chief Joe Vasquez.

Photo by Paul Robeson, Reporter

Anderson Battalion Chief Andy Nichols (left) was honored with a special commendation for his help with the delivery of an infant. Interim Chief Roy Del Carlo made the presentation.

Seven firefighters from the Shasta County area, including one from Anderson and one from Happy Valley, were presented with departmental Firefighter of the Year awards at the 3rd Annual Firefighter of the Year Awards luncheon. Battalion Chief Andy Nichols of the Anderson Fire Protection District (AFPD) was also recognized at the awards luncheon which was hosted by the Redding Exchange Club last Thursday at Win-River.

Lee Hart, Anderson Fire Protection District

Hart has been with AFPD since November of 2004 as a volunteer firefighter and responds to emergency 911 calls. Hart is also a seasonal firefighter with CDF during the summer months.

Presenting the award was Interim Fire Chief Roy Del Carlo. He said, “Lee has proven to be a very important asset to his community, which is evident to the people he serves with pride. Lee’s positive attitude, likable personality and motivation are a true inspiration to his peers.”

“He is extremely involved in all aspects of fire district functions, including the annual community barbecue. He is the elected vice chairperson for the volunteer firefighters association,” Del Carlo continued.

Hart, 27, who was there with his parents Penny and Bob Hart, his sister Tiffany, and his grandmother Donita Hart at the luncheon, felt honored with the award.

“I didn’t quite know what to expect,” said Hart. “I applied for a position with the district and hope they will receive more funding for firefighters.”

Kory Keffer, Happy Valley Fire Protection District

Keffer was presented his award by Chief Joe Vasquez.

A volunteer since August 2004, Keffer is a First Responder and CPR-certified.

“Kory has volunteered hundreds of hours to learn how to extinguish all types of fires and how to provide medical aid to our community,” said Vasquez.

This is the third time Keffer has been awarded the HVFPD Firefighter of the Year award. According to Vasquez, in 2005 he responded to 223 alarms and attended 13 meetings, 21 regular training sessions and 44 Sunday sessions. In 2006 he responded to 222 alarms, 13 meetings, 23 regular training sessions and 33 Sunday sessions.

“Kory has proven that he is a great role model for all volunteer firefighters with his dedication and commitment to the job,” Vasquez said. “Kory has earned this award because of all his hard work and dedication to help our department and to help the community.”

Special commendation for Anderson Battalion Chief Andy Nichols

Chief Del Carlo presented Battalion Chief Andy Nichols a special award.

Last February, Nichols, a firefighter for 23 years, had gone on a medical call to the Shasta Outlets where there was a report of a baby being born in a restroom. When he arrived Nichols thought the baby was stillborn, but he used a suction device made for infants to clear the newborn’s airway and got the baby breathing.

Nichols has been with AFPD for seven years and had never helped with in the birthing of a child.

“This was certainly both an exciting and unusual childbirth,” said Del Carlo. “I feel this incident had a happy ending due to his quick response, along with his applying all of his knowledge and training he has obtained over the years.”

Other firefighters receiving awards were: Doug Reid of the Shasta County Fire Department; John Bruno from Cal Fire (California Dept. of Forestry); Sharon Weaver from the Redding Fire Department; Rod Wellock from the Shasta Fire Department; and Phillip Moyer from the Shasta Lake Fire Protection District.