.png)
North Hays County Fire / Rescue held its annual awards and badge pinning ceremony on March 1 at United Methodist Church in Dripping Springs.
“On behalf of the commissioners, we would like to thank you for what you do and to congratulate the individuals who are being recognized today for their accomplishments,” Marilyn Miller, treasurer of Emergency Services District No. 6 (ESD6), said. “Our community is fortunate to be served by all of you volunteers and career staff.”
Chief Scott Collard also addressed the attendees and thanked them for their service.
“As a chief, I’m immensely proud to stand here among such an extraordinary group of folks that consistently go above and beyond the call of duty,” Collard said. “A lot of times what we do comes at great personal risk. Together, we are not just a department, we are a family united by a common purpose to serve and protect our community, and most importantly, each other.”
First on the agenda was recognition for years of service. One of those was Assistant Chief Todd Colvin, who joined the volunteer fire department in 1993. He attended the academy and was commissioned in 1997. He had stints at Travis County Fire Control, Horseshoe Bay and Marble Falls. He worked for North Hays when there were just two firefighters on duty. In March of 2008 he became full time at the ESD6 as Battalion Chief. He was recognized by former chief Joe Felkel.
“He’s been a volunteer, a lieutenant, an assistant chief and a chief multiple times. Every time somebody would leave, and we had a gap, Chief Colvin would become the interim chief for some length of time. It’s worked out well for us,” Felkel said. “That's a big deal. Until you've been the top of an organization, you don’t realize what an effort it takes.”
Felkel acknowledged that it isn’t very common these days for people to stay with an organization for 30 years.
'Todd is one of the ones that keeps this chain going through the whole thing,” Felkel said. “Thirty years is something to be proud of, and for Todd, who started out as my protege, he's far surpassed any knowledge I could have given to him.”
Colvin accepted his award and spoke briefly to the crowd.
“I'm going to try not to get choked up here,” Colvin said. “I told a new member the other night, you walk in that door, next thing you know, it's 30 years later. So that's what happened to me. I'm very lucky.
I had a great group of guys. There were some tough times. But we stayed. I appreciate this. It means a lot.”
Next, they recognized the Firefighters of the Year. For career firefighters, that was Christopher Moore. For the volunteers, the honors went to Nathan Erickson of North Hays Volunteer FD, Rachel Guyette of Driftwood Volunteer FD, and Steve Curran of Henly Volunteer FD.
Firefighter in Training of the Year went to Andrew Dunn Jr. from Henly Volunteer FD, and in a tie, to Dan Miller and Dylan Synatschk of North Hays Volunteer FD.
Firefighters were recognized for their training and certifications completed over the past year, and also for outstanding service during a variety of calls. This year, that included the Stork Awards, which were presented by Chief Collard.
“As firefighters, we often see people on one of their worst days, and it is therefore rare that we get to play a part in one of the best days of someone's life,” Collard said. “Many firefighters will go their entire career without having a baby delivery call. So for us to have three deliveries in three months is a blessing worth recognition.”
The first of those calls was on Nov. 1, and firefighters from Engine 74 arrived just seconds after the baby was born. They attended the mother and infant until EMS arrived. They ensured that dad was able to cut the cord, and then mother and baby were transported to the hospital.
Then, on Dec. 8, firefighters Zach Frederick and John Courtney responded to a call for a patient in active labor. They worked with EMS to load the patient into the ambulance, and Frederick rode along to assist. While en route, they had to pull over on the side of the highway as it became obvious birth was imminent. Shortly thereafter, mom delivered a healthy baby boy, and dad was able to cut the cord. They then resumed transport to the hospital with one additional passenger.
On Jan. 23, firefighters Farrah Lambrecht and Luke Metcalf attended an emergency child birth call. Lambrecht joined EMS in the ambulance to ensure a smooth and safe ride to the hospital, with dad following his own vehicle. The baby, however, had other plans, and mom delivered a healthy baby boy while en route to the hospital. The team pulled over in the HEB parking lot, where dad was able to meet his newborn son for the first time. Mom and baby were then transported to the hospital.
“We want to give a special thanks to all of our fighters that were involved in these incidents for their professionalism, their compassion, teamwork, and ensuring that each of these families had an unforgettable experience,” Collard said.
Next up was the Curtis Dickey award, which recognizes a member who demonstrates pride in ownership to the department and the community by continually going above and beyond their duties. It is selected by the Fire Chief and the ESD6 Board President. This year’s recipient was Steve Curran.
More training recognitions were given, and then it was time for the badge ceremony.
“For those receiving their first badge as firefighters, this marks the beginning of a commitment to serve a higher purpose alongside the brethren who have already sworn that oath,” Colvin said. “For those receiving a new badge wearing the insignia of a higher rank, it represents a deepening commitment to your calling to serve within this organization.”
Sheriff Anthony Hipolito joined the firefighters on stage to administer the oaths.
“I am humbled and honored to be able to swear each and every one of you guys in,” Hipolito said “I've been at the sheriff's office just under four years, and I did patrol out here in Dripping Springs. I saw firsthand the work that each of your firefighters do, and I’m proud to work alongside them.”
Firefighters and their families took their turns on the stage to receive their new badges and to be pinned by their loved ones. These included Joshua Dean, Cole Renker, Enoch Erdner, Austin Hall, Luke Metcalf, Cooper Morgan, Wyatt Czerniec, Micah Sherrill, Eddie Swartz, Luke Adams, Jason Malone and Dylan Synatschk.
Captain Christopher Hartley and Lieutenant Craig Lalonde also received their new badges, as did Drivers Craig Glanville, Franco Rodriguez and Christopher Mateja.
In Fire Prevention, badges were given to Dillon Polk, Brittney Garner and Jeanine Southall. And there was one additional badge for Nyx, the new facility dog at North Hays County Fire / Rescue (see related story).
