A total of 26 awards were presented to both employees, community members, and partner agencies who went above and beyond to protect and preserve life or support the mission of the VFD in 2022

VANCOUVER – On Tuesday, March 28, the Vancouver Fire Department (VFD) celebrated the extraordinary contributions of Vancouver firefighters, employees, partner agencies and community members at its 2022 Annual Awards Ceremony at Clark College’s Gaiser Hall, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way. 

“Unlike the Oscars, Grammys or Espies, all the people being recognized today are not actors, nor are they professional athletes. They do not have stunt doubles. They do not work in elaborate sets with green screens or pyrotechnics,” said Deputy Fire Chief Darryl Hebert. “These individuals step forward when many are heading in the other direction. Today’s recipients work in conditions that are not always safe or secure and are often highly stressful environments.”

A total of 26 awards were presented to both employees, community members, and partner agencies who went above and beyond to protect and preserve life or support the mission of the VFD in 2022: 

• Lifesaving Award – awarded to community members or off-duty employees for assuming a level of involvement or risk that result in the preservation of human life.
  • Stephen and Blaire Hoobler, community members who provided emergency CPR to a neighbor in need before first responders arrived on the scene.           
  • Kris DeVore and Doug Smith-Lee, Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA), for providing CPR and utilizing an automatic defibrillator to save the life of a CRESA employee before emergency responders arrived
• Certificate of Appreciation – presented to community members or off-duty employees for “Good Samaritan” activities and/or efforts in support of VFD’s mission to protect life, property and the environment.
  • Tyler Carr, Cassandra Deering, Anthony Glenn, Kelly Stevens of the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency for their involvement in finding resources and dispatching emergency responders during the CRESA incident
• The Fire Medal – awarded to community members or off-duty employees for extraordinary effort in saving a human life, reducing a serious injury or aiding in a significant reduction of property loss.
  • Deputy Elijah Paige, Clark County Sheriff’s Office
  • Captain John Jacobson
• Individual Commendation – awarded to employees who make an exceptional contribution to the department, take on extra responsibilities or in other ways distinguish themselves. 
  • Firefighter Paramedic Kevin Wilson
  • Battalion Chief Geoff Robbins
• Company Commendation – awarded to VFD units or companies that distinguish themselves in the performance of their duties or provide an exceptional contribution to the progress of the VFD by displaying superior teamwork or a display of exceptional professional skill and conduct.
  • Engine 9 – Captain Paramedic Ryan Morrisey, Firefighter Tommy Fieweger and Firefighter Dave Wrast
  • Engine 3 – Captain Jerry Underwood, Firefighter Paramedic John Stewart and Captain Scotty Edwards                    
  • Truck 1 – Captain Scott Blanton, Firefighter Paramedic Charlie Schmidt, Firefighter Arya Mansourzadeh and Firefighter Greg Smith
• Meritorious Service Award – awarded to employees who distinguish themselves by a display of remarkable action, conduct or achievement that reflects positively upon the department. 
  • Firefighter Paramedic Nathan Cook
  • Firefighter Matt Ramp         
• Chief’s Achievement Award – awarded to employees whose contributions to the department significantly improve Vancouver Fire’s ability to provide service to the community.
  • Administrative Assistant Julie Patterson, Vancouver Fire
  • Human Resources Assistant Megan Mairs, City of Vancouver

“Every day our dedicated public safety professionals serve this community. Beginning with the 911 dispatcher who picks up the phone and dispatches the right resource to the person in need – the emergency response system is a team effort, requiring coordination and collaboration,” said Chief Brennan Blue. “We also appreciate the opportunity to recognize the citizen responders who received awards for acting courageously and decisively to assist friends and neighbors in their time of need.” 

The ceremony began with the Presentation of Colors by the VFD Honor Guard, the national anthem by Janet Lindsley and an invocation by Chaplain Peter Schrater. Emcee Tony Fletcher, Battalion Chief, presented the awards. The event closed with Chief Blue’s “Chief’s Achievement Awards” presentation and final remarks. Dignitaries in attendance included Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, Mayor Pro-Tem Ty Stober, and Clark County Fire District 5 Commissioners Roy Rhine, Ron Gibson and Mike Lyons.

For additional information on any of the awards presented, please contact Public Information Coordinator Captain Raymond Egan at raymond.egan@cityofvancouver.us. 

Information provided by Vancouver Fire Department.