Grand Rapids Fire Department 2010 Awards Ceremony

October 19, 2010 7:00 P.M. John F. Donnelly Conference Center Aquinas College

Program Seating of Guests Presentation of Colors Grand Rapids Fire Department Honor Guard Pledge of Allegiance Rob Pease, Honor Guard Invocation Father Dennis Morrow GRFD Chaplain Introduction of Honored Guests Firefighter Rob Pease Presentation of Awards Inspector Dan VanderHyde Benediction Father Dennis Morrow GRFD Chaplain

Dear Honored Fire Personnel: It is a great honor and privilege for me to congratulate each of you today. The commendable service you provide to all people of Grand Rapids is appreciated. Day after day, you willingly prepare for, and put yourselves in harms way. Words cannot express our admiration for this bravery. Your professionalism, positive attitude, and willingness to help are commendable and well worthy of public recognition and praise. On behalf of the citizens of Grand Rapids, thank you for your heroic service.

To the Men and Women of the Grand Rapids Fire Department:

I am pleased to extend my sincere congratulations and gratitude to those of you receiving awards this evening. Let me join with your co-workers, friends, and family members in telling you how proud I am of the service you provide for our community—in good times and especially in these times of challenge. Please know that your work is appreciated. While you share these shining moments and these career milestones tonight with your families, I know that you share similar heartening moments with your brothers and sisters in the fire service every day. I respect the difficult work you do, pray for your continued safety, value your dedication and professionalism, and applaud your accomplishments. This evening provides an opportunity to reflect on life’s priorities, and the difference you make in the lives of each person in our community. On behalf of all the lives for whom you have made a difference, I salute you. Best wishes,

Gregory A. Sundstrom City Manager

Honorees, I would like to extend my congratulations to all of tonight’s recipients. There is no other profession that is more rewarding and fulfilling than the fire service. Tonight’s honorees have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Your professionalism, dedication, and commitment to public service are truly inspiring. This is an evening to reflect on the differences that you have made in the lives of the citizens of Grand Rapids and our department. I am proud and honored to serve with each of you. Please take time to reflect and enjoy your individual and team awards this evening.

Congratulations and thank you,

Laura L. Knapp Fire Chief

Promotions Fire Chief Laura Knapp

Deputy Fire Chief Gerard Salatka

Years of Service 5 Years David Marchinda Cory Kernodle Matthew Dumond

Nathan Mulder Kristy Kehl Jason Zamarron

15 Years David Olivier Mike Myers John Kurkowski Aaron Draper David Pyle Scott Gray Richard Morningstar

Gary Metcalf Kurt Honderd Ed DeMaagd Wes Kelley David Velzen Kathleen Thompson Kevin Carmel

20 Years Mike Worthington Richard Veldkamp Dan Gazdecki Collin Kelly Dennis Haisma Brian DeForest William Cook

Lou Houtman Sean Murray Darryl Taylor Tony Rohloff David Noorman Denis Hatt

Years of Service 25 Years Anthony Beurkens III Daniel Stoddard Scott DeVoll Kurt Baragar Paul Lang James Gonzales Randy Hillman Jeffery Madura Margaret Felix Amber Paszkowski Donna Hillman Sandra Yeager Gary Szotko Donald Lukaart Roy Harvey Daniel Kersjes Frank Verburg Barton Perry

Malcolm Kitchen David Lanting Tim Szotko Steven Whip Nancy Boss Daniel DeBlaay Kevin Sehlmeyer Tim Eggerding Douglas Carley Steve Kutchins Ronald Tennant Jeffery Bajema June Faber Michael Uzarski Donald VanDyke Jeffery Smith Ronald Sabin Annette Swathwood

30 Years Craig Holtrop Daniel Caillouet

Mike Mack Gary Nugent

Firefighter of the Year Firefighter Joe Dubay

Unit Citation Rescue 5 Firefighter Mike Worthington (A/Lieutenant) Firefighter John Kurkowski (A/Equipment Operator)

Engine 3 Lieutenant Kathleen Thompson Equipment Operator Kurt Honderd Firefighter Stephen MacBride

Engine 8 Lieutenant Jeffrey Smith Equipment Operator Amber Paszkowski Firefighter Tim Kragt

Engine 7 Captain Todd VanderWall Equipment Operator Doug Haisma Firefighter Mike Myers

Platform 3 Lieutenant Ron Sabin Equipment Operator Tony Rohloff Firefighter Dan Witwer Firefighter William Smith

Medical Squad 7 Firefighter Joesph Dubay (A/Lieutenant) Firefighter David Marchinda (A/Equipment Operator)

Battalion 6 Captain Denny Haisma (A/Battalion Chief)

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ngines 3, 8 & 7, Platform 3, Recue 5, Medical Squad 7 and Battalion 6 were dispatched to a house fire at 3:09 am on May 4, 2010 at 1108 Elizabeth NW. On arrival, Battalion 6 reported heavy fire conditions on the second floor and occupants trapped on the front side, second floor balcony. Simultaneously, crews took quick decisive actions to mitigate the emergency at hand. Rescue 5 raised a portable ladder to assist the trapped occupants. Platform 3 entered the house to search for additional victims. Engine 8 advanced a hoseline to extinguish and block the fire from spreading towards the occupants. Immediately upon removal of the victims, Engine 3 began a direct attack on the main body of fire from the balcony supported by roof ventilation performed by the crews of Platform 3 and Medical Squad 7. This incident action plan was developed quickly and safely executed. Communication and coordination were outstanding. This Unit Citation is awarded for the performance and professionalism exhibited by all of the responding members during this rescue.

Live Birth Award Engine 11 Equipment Operator Rick Bush Firefighter Derek Olson (A/Lieutenant) Firefighter Robert Rood

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ngine 11 responded to a medical emergency on January 8, 2010. The emergency, at 2:00 am was reported to be a woman in labor at home.

After their arrival and initial medical assessment, the crew determined that their patient was in her final stages of labor and that the baby’s birth was imminent, it would be delivered on scene. Utilizing their training in emergency childbirth, a baby girl was safely delivered on scene. After delivery, the mother and child were transported to Butterworth Hospital for follow-up care. For successful emergency delivery of a child in the field, Equipment Operator Rick Bush and Firefighters Derek Olsen and Robert Rood are awarded the Grand Rapids Fire Department Live Birth Award.

Live Birth Award Engine 3 Lieutenant Lee Finlayson FF Cory Kernodle (A/Equipment Operator) FF Luke LeDoux

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n July 2, 2010 Engine 3 was dispatched on a medical emergency to assist a woman in labor. The crew arrived on scene to find their patient in the bathroom attempting to deliver the baby herself.

Due to medical training, the crew was able to make the area safe, deliver the baby and take proper safety precautions for both patients. Mother and infant were healthy and cared for until they could be transported by ambulance. For successful emergency delivery of a child in the field, Lieutenant Lee Finlayson and Firefighters Cory Kernodle and Luke LeDoux are awarded the Grand Rapids Fire Department Live Birth Award.

Medical Service Award Engine 11 Lieutenant Sean Murray Equipment Operator James Storteboom Firefighter Aaron Draper

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hristmas Day, 2009, at 9:17 pm, Engine 11 was dispatched to 228 Mayfield NE. On their arrival the crew found an unresponsive victim down in his home with bystander CPR initiated. Engine 11 took over patient care by continuing CPR and attaching their Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to the patient. The AED shocked the patient several times, finally restoring the patient’s heartbeat, allowing him to be transported to the hospital for further treatment. For their successful resuscitation of a patient in the field, Lieutenant Sean Murray, Equipment Operator James Storteboom and Firefighter Aaron Draper are awarded the Grand Rapids Fire Department Medical Service Award.

Medical Service Award Medical Squad 3 Lieutenant Kathy Thompson Equipment Operator Joel Boyer

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n February 6, 2010 Squad 3 responded to DeVos Place to a confirmed cardiac arrest. On-site special event medical staff was providing CPR upon their arrival.

The patient was eating dinner when he slumped forward. His dinner companions helped lower him away from the table to the floor, activated the 9-1-1 system and began CPR. Squad 3 took over CPR to allow advanced life support care to be initiated by arriving paramedics. The patient was stabilized on scene and transported to Butterworth Hospital. For successful patient resuscitation in the field, Lieutenant Kathy Thompson and Equipment Operator Joel Boyer are awarded the Grand Rapids Fire Department Medical Service Award.

Medical Service Award Platform 3 Captain Craig Holtrop Equipment Operator Martin Ogrodzinski Firefighter Leslie Jared

Engine 3 Firefighter John Keillor (A/Lieutenant) Firefighter Matt Keusch (A/Equipment Operator) Firefighter Mike Malcolm

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motorcyclist suffered a cardiac arrest while driving on US-131 North of downtown Grand Rapids on May 15, 2010. The resulting crash caused the motorcycle to impact the guardrail causing severe trauma. Crews from the Bridge Street Station were dispatched and arrived on scene to find bystander CPR in progress. The fire companies worked seamlessly with on scene advanced life support crew to provide trauma care to their patient who was quickly moved to the ambulance and transported. Enroute, the responders were able to re-establish the patient’s vital signs and upon arrival to the emergency room, staff was able to focus on his other injuries. For their successful patient resuscitation in the field, Captain Craig Holtrop, Equipment Operator Martin Ogrodzinski, Firefighter’s Leslie Jared, John Keillor, Matt Keusch and Michael Malcolm are awarded the Grand Rapids Fire Department Medical Service Award.

Medical Service Award Ladder 4 Lieutenant Brian DeForest Equipment Operator Gary Dredge Firefighter Stephen MacBride

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tornado warning was in effect as Ladder 4 responded in the early morning hours of June 22, 2010. The company arrived to find a young mother unresponsive with no breathing or pulse. She had collapsed while attempting to calm her 5 month old baby, as her family was taking shelter from the storm. The crew immediately started basic life support activities and attached their Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The AED analyzed and recommended a shock, which restarted the patient’s heart. These actions allowed transport the Meijer Heart Center for further patient care. For their successful resuscitation of a patient in the field, Lieutenant Brian DeForest, Equipment Operator Gary Dredge and Firefighter Stephen MacBride are awarded the Grand Rapids Fire Department Medical Service Award.

Medical Service Award Engine 3 Lieutenant Lee Finlayson Equipment Operator David Pyle Firefighter Andy Nowack

Platform 3 Captain Craig Holtrop Firefighter Derek Olsen (A/Equipment Operator) Firefighter Craig Jones

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t 3:49 pm on July 28, 2010, Engine 3 responded to 720 6th Street NW to assist a person having a heart attack. On arrival, the crew found their patient on the floor not breathing without a pulse. Platform 3 was requested to respond and the crew started CPR. The company’s Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was attached to the patient and 12 shocks were delivered. Advanced care was delivered by arriving paramedics and the patient was readied for transport to Butterworth Hospital. Upon arrival to the emergency room, the patient’s vital signs had been restored and he was communicating with staff. For successful resuscitation in the field, Captain Craig Holtrop, Lieutenant Lee Finlayson, Equipment Operator David Pyle and Firefighters Craig Jones, Derek Olsen and Andy Nowack are awarded the Grand Rapids Fire Department Medical Service Award.

Medal of Commendation Firefighter Casey Spielmaker Firefighter David Fountain

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n the early morning hours of May 4, 2010, Rescue 5 responded with a full assignment to the report of a structure fire at 1108 Elizabeth Avenue NW. Upon arrival it was discovered that four occupants had escaped the dwelling onto a second floor balcony. The occupants, without means of escape, were threatened by the intense heat and smoke discharging out of the home. Rescue 5, the first arriving company took action to affect the rescue of the trapped occupants. Firefighters David Fountain and Casey Spielmaker placed ground ladders, ascended and assisted the trapped victims to safety. All while the conditions were deteriorating quickly. Once the victims were brought down medical attention was given. For their display of competent firefighting skills, teamwork, and professionalism it is with honor that the GRFD recognizes Firefighters David Fountain and Casey Spielmaker. Who both are awarded the Grand Rapids Fire Department Commendation Medal.

The 2010 Awards Committee Members Bronson Barnes Denny Braate Jason Druckenmiller Lee Finlayson John Keillor Martin Ogrodzinski Rob Pease Kathy Thompson Dan VanderHyde

Congratulations to the award recipients!

Acknowledgements The Members of the Grand Rapids Fire Department’s Awards Committee would like to thank the following for their help in making this event possible.

AQUINAS COLLEGE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 366 KISD KENT CAREER TECHNICAL CENTER AWARD CEREMONY CERTIFICATES The Awards Committee gives special thanks to Fire Chief Laura Knapp whose continued support make the Awards Program possible. Fire Administrative staff for all the countless hours of help they provide each year. Honor Guard Representatives: Matt Keusch Matt Dumond Derek Olsen Andrew Nowak Casey Spielmaker Rob Pease