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First responders receive recognition at Crawfordsville Fun Days
Water fight winner, firefighter of the Year, EMS Provider of the Year, and a Firefighter with 25 years of service all received recognition
CRAWFORDSVILLE — This year, the traditional firefighters Water Fights at Crawfordsville Fun Days boasted of more than just good old fashion competition as Crawfordsville Fire Department Chief Roy Felts presented the first traveling trophy to the winner and announced the first firefighter and Emergency Medical Service Provider of the Year award recipients.
According to Felts, representatives from eight fire departments fought it out for the first name slot on the new traveling trophy.
After many rounds, two Crawfordsville firefighters duked it out to win their space on the trophy.
Assistant Chief Kyle Collins, 13-year firefighter veteran, beat out eight-year firefighter veteran Clint Stout.
Collins said he is hopes to keep the traveling trophy right where it started next year when he returns to defend his title.
“It’s nice that the first name on the traveling trophy is a Crawfordsville name,” Crawfordsville Chief Felts said.
The fire department made this year’s water fights extra special as they not only introduced the traveling trophy which will hold engraved names of winners for years to come, but they also announced the department’s first firefighter and EMS Provider of the Year awards.
Felts said he wanted to begin this tradition to “throw some recognition to the guys that put in the extra effort and extra work.”
According to Felts, every member of the department participated in selected the recipients through a secret ballot.
After over 25 years of service to the fire department, Crawfordsville Emergency Medical Services Chief Karen Dennler, said she felt emotional when Felts announced her as the EMS Provider of the Year.
“You just do the most you can,” she said. “When we show up, we administer first aid until the ambulance can arrive.”
“It is great working with her,” Felts said. “She is a great leader.”
Michael Miller received the honor of the first firefighter of the Year.
“He makes this department a lot easier to run by being here to help,” Felts said of Miller. “I mean, he’s a very dedicated member of the department.”
“He spends all his time up here,” fellow Crawfordsville firefighter Jason Collier said of Miller. “He just does a great job keeping the trucks clean and fixing what needs fix. He’s just awesome.”
Miller has served with the Crawfordsville Fire Department since 2010 and says that over those 13 years, he finds that “It’s quite rewarding and pays a whole lot better than cash.”
Over his years of service, Miller says the most important thing he has learned is to be compassionate and have empathy.
Like many little boys, Miller says he always wanted to be a firefighter growing up.
“I suppose I got real tired of watching them go by the house and sitting there panting like a dog in the driveway,” he said. “So, I figured it was about time to get out of the house and do something.”
Much like Miller, Corey Steele, a member of the department for the last 25 years, also grew up wanting to be a firefighter.
“I got involved when I was maybe 16 or 17,” Steele said. “Once I was 18, I could officially join.”
After 25 years servicing with the Crawfordsville Fire Department, he received recognition for his service alongside the firefighter and EMS Provider of the Year.
With so many years of experience, Steele has taken on a role as a mentor for younger firefighters and encourages others to get involved serving their communities as firefighters, as well.
As Steele showed his son the plaque presented by the fire department, 9-year-old son Clayton Steele commented that he can’t wait for his turn to be a firefighter like his dad.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
