South Beach Fire & Emergency Management Service volunteers gathered together for their annual banquet in mid-December at the clubhouse at American Sunset RV and Tent Resort.
In addition to enjoying a great meal and socializing, this is the event at which the group recognizes those who have stood out during the current year.
Members of each fire district on the South Beach are encouraged to nominate individuals for four different special awards: Firefighter of the Year, Customer Service, Rookie of the Year and the Limp Hose award, given to the volunteer with the most amusing ‘goof’ of the year – in this case, incorrectly identifying a large fog bank as smoke from a forest fire.
Those with the most nominations for each category are honored with a framed certificate.
This year’s winners
Firefighter of the Year: Captain Dave Bell and Firefighter Katie Didion.
Customer Service Award: Captain Daryl Brown
Rookie of the Year: Firefighter Caleb Tackett
Limp Hose Award – Firefighter Patrick Glennon