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25th ANNUAL

GLENDALE FIRE AWARDS CEREMONY

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012

By Ed  and Bette Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

5:00 p.m. Registration and No Host Cocktails

6:00 p.m. Presentation of Colors

Welcome and Invocation

Welcoming Comments:

·Vice Mayor Steve Frate City Manager Ed Beasley

··Fire Chief Mark Burdick

Video: A Look Back at 2011

Special Awards Presentation of Awards

Closing Remarks

25th ANNUAL GLENDALE FIRE AWARDS CEREMONY

THURSDAY, MARCH 29,2012

2011 Awards Presentations: . Glendale Fire Department Volunteer of the Year Awards

. Non-Sworn Professional Excellence Award

· Sworn Professional Service Award

· Community Service Award

· Chief Don Heatwole Career Achievement Award

. Fire Chief' s Award

. Firefighter of the Y ear Award

2011 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

CADET OF THE YEAR

~arkPietraunale

SAFETY EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Julie Denunon

CRISIS RESPONSE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Joy Richards

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 0050.

Vice Mayor Steve Frate and Captain Paul Morales, 2011 Firefighter of the Year.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2984.

The actions of Glendale Firefighter Jason Webb and the crew of SW-152 deserve recognition for Call of the Year for 2011.  Pictured: Brent Nardine and Melissa Birkelo and with Southwest Ambulance.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2981.

Glendale Vice Mayor Steve Frate and Banner Thunderbird Hospital Emergency Room Director Amy Forsberg at the 25th Annual Glendale Fire Awards Ceremony, Thursday, March 29th at the Glendale Civic Center.

Firefighter of the Year –Captain Paul Morales

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 0050.

Vice Mayor Steve Frate and Captain Paul Morales, 2011 Firefighter of the Year.

The Firefighter of the Year Award is given to a fire department member for outstanding service to the department and/or to the safety of the community.  This is a very prestigious award.

The Firefighter of the year has shown an amazing commitment to our department in his service as the Members Services coordinator. He usually works behind the scene in his efforts and his work is usually only associated with announcements.

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to members services. As we went through one of the most challenging times in recent Glendale Fire Department history, this person worked through the logistics planning and implementation of every conceivable family need. While this was one of the more obvious issues he has dealt with this year, the firefighter of the year has given his time to many other member needs both great and small. He has done this with very little fanfare and always with the membership’s best interest at heart. He continues to exemplify what is best about the Glendale Fire Department.

This person’s commitment to the members extends not only to those who serve within our department now, but also to those who have retired from service. He gives the same care to each regardless of their status. This caring spirit is an amazing asset to our membership and we should be proud to recognize Paul Morales as our Firefighter of the year for 2011.

Call of the Year : Firefighter Jason Web; Melissa Birkelo and Brent Nardine with SWA.

The Call of the Year Award goes to an individual or crews that were the key players in making a major difference on a call.  Although the types of calls the department usually recognizes as being extraordinary are of significant proportions and usually involve many companies, there is always one crew, or individual, who performs in the lead or key role.

Several units were dispatched to a drowning on W. Carol Avenue.  E154 was on scene in less than three minutes only to find that the parents had taken the two year old patient in their personal vehicle to the hospital. Alarm was notified of the direction of travel in hopes of intercepting the vehicle so ALS protocols could be started. SW -152 was headed to Banner Thunderbird Medical Center with a patient from E154’s previous call and had stopped for the stop light at 51^st Avenue and Peoria. Paramedic Jason Webb was in SW-152 with his patient when someone began banging on the side of the ambulance. The back door of the ambulance was opened by the father of the two year old and with no warning Jason and the crew of SW-152 (Melissa Birkelo and Brent Nardine) were presented with the child who was in full arrest. Jason and Brent had a split second to decide on a course of action and decided to begin treatment on the infant and proceed to the hospital Code 3 with both patients. The driver of SW-152 did an excellent job of communicating with the Alarm Room the situation so Banner Thunderbird Medical Center would be ready for their arrival. 

The actions of Jason Webb and the crew of SW-152 deserve recognition for Call of the Year for 2011.  It is my honor to ask Firefighter Jason Webb, Melissa Birkelo and Brent Nardine with Southwest Ambulance to come to the stage to receive this award.

Community Service Award – Deputy Fire Marshal Kim Bushong

The next award is for the Community Service Award.  This Award goes to a member of the fire department who has donated considerable time and/or effort towards the betterment of the community.  This is not necessarily in a job-related manner.

The winner of the Community Service Award has distinguished himself in several key areas and is recognized for his outstanding achievements in the advancement of Fire and Life Safety and Volunteerism in our community as well as for his innovation and problem solving skills in the Fire Marshal’s office.

This person has always stepped up to volunteer at events such as the annual Toy Drive, Smoke Alarm installation walks and Water Safety walks in our community.

More noteworthy are his volunteer activities at two local hospitals during the holiday season as “Fireman Santa.”  In a letter from the Banner Thunderbird Hospital Children’s Center, this person was praised for his kindness and generosity in brightening the lives of these young patients. 

For all of these reasons, Deputy Fire Marshal, Kim Bushong  is worthy of not only the Community service award, but our continued admiration and respect as a role-model to follow as a public servant.   Kim, would you please come forward to receive your award.

Sworn Professional Service Award – Engineer Michael Patten

Our 2011 Sworn Professional Service Award is for the fire department member or related professional who, through his/her area of expertise, has performed outstanding service for the department. 

The individual receiving tonight’s award is someone who devotes much time and expertise in a variety of different capacities to the Glendale Fire Department. On his "off" days he is busy teaching paramedic students all the knowledge he has and helps them become some of the best in the valley. This person is dedicated to having a positive impact on our organization and our citizens with every call we respond to for a medical emergency. In addition, this person manages the HALO 151 Air Medical base and assists in the EMS division, both of which require countless hours attending meetings and trainings to better the men and women of the Glendale Fire Department who provide exceptional patient care to the citizens they serve every day. It is a great honor to announce the winner of the Sworn Professional Service Award for 2011, Engineer Michael Patten. 

Non-sworn Professional Excellence – Lorrie Morreno

The Professional Excellence Award may be given to a member of the non-sworn staff who, through his/her area of expertise, has performed outstanding service for the department.

The winner of this award just completed her 5-year term as the department’s accreditation manger and was instrumental in coordinating the successful peer assessor site visit.  This is a major undertaking for any staff member, and is particularly impressive when stacked on top of her regular duties;  managing the department’s budget, compiling the strategic plan, tackling several complex special projects, including the city’s 2011 United Way fundraiser.  This person makes it all look so easy.  Her contribution to the department and the community is far greater than most people realize.  It is my honor to announce this very deserving person for the non-sworn Professional Excellence Award, Lorrie Morreno.

CHIEF DON HEATWOLE CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 0 dsc_3000.

Captain Crystal Sorensen and Chief Burdick.  Captain Sorensen received the Chief Don Healwole Career Achievement Award.  Captain Sorensen is retiring on March 30thafter twenty-five years of service from the Glendale Fire Department.  She attended Medic school and graduated top of her class in 1988, and was the first female paramedic for Glendale Fire. She promoted to Engineer in 1994 and to Captain in 1995. She spent 17 years at FS151 on E151, and then opened FS158 in 2003.

FIRE CHIEF'S AWARD

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2986.

Acting Deputy Chief Tim Pirtle holds 2011 The Chief's Award.  This prestigious recognition was presented to him by Glendale Fire Chief Burdick.  Fire Chief Burdick selected Pirtle for the award.

Tonight’s special event is fully supported by donations.  Tonight’s Premier Sponsor:  Southwest Ambulance

Fire Chief Sponsors:

AirEvac

Arrowhead Hospital

Banner Thunderbird Medical Center

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

Midwestern University

Renaissance Hotel and Spa

Scottsdale Healthcare

Deputy Chief level sponsors:

DWL Architects

State Farm Insurance

United Fire

And our Firefighter of the Year sponsor, Treasures Custom Jewelers.

The following businesses sponsored a portion of the food this evening:

Treasures Custom Jewelers

Salsa Blanca                      

Meade and Associates

Abbott Hearing Centers

Captain Crystal Sorensen – Retirement

Crystal was hired 9/2/1986 after spending 6 months in the GFD Reserve program and completing the Firefighter I & II class through GCC, under the direction of Captain Joe Young. She attended the Phoenix Fire Academy with fellow hires Steve Schell, Dave Green, & Bruce Jenkins, graduating in the class of “86-2”, with Captain Dale Largent as the Glendale Fire Department RTO.

She attended Medic school and graduated top of her class in 1988, and was the first female paramedic for Glendale Fire. She promoted to Engineer in 1994 and to Captain in 1995. She spent 17 years at FS151 on E151, and then opened FS158 in 2003.

Crystal was in charge of the immunization program for 2 years, was the GFD parade emcee twice, a fire pal, an instructor for the West Valley Training Consortium, and has been and still is a peer counselor on the CISD team.

She represented Glendale Fire in 4 different World Police and Fire Games, competing in the triathlon, the TCA (The Complete Athlon), sprint running, sprint swimming, and racquetball; earned gold in Indy for 100m sprint and long jump. She accumulated 2 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals.

Crystal was nominated as “Firefighter of the Year” three times by her peers during her career, which she feels is the supreme and most humbling honor. Her crews were twice awarded “Call of the Year”.

Captain Sorensen says she is fortunate to have had such a fulfilling & rewarding career. She is thankful for the people, friendships, and the opportunity to serve those with whom she works and the community.

CHIEF DON HEATWOLE CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 0 dsc_3000.

Captain Crystal Sorensen and Chief Burdick.  Captain Sorensen received the Chief Don Healwole Career Achievement Award.  Captain Sorensen is retiring on March 30th after twenty-five years of service from the Glendale Fire Department.  She attended Medic school and graduated top of her class in 1988, and was the first female paramedic for Glendale Fire. She promoted to Engineer in 1994 and to Captain in 1995. She spent 17 years at FS151 on E151, and then opened FS158 in 2003.