SPEARFISH, SD – The Spearfish Fire Department gathered to celebrate the successes of 2021 during its annual banquet Saturday.
“This is a time when we can get together to recognize the firefighters for all they’ve accomplished over the last year and thank them for the time and service they provide to the community,
” Fire Chief Travis Ladson said.
In 2021, the Spearfish Fire Department responded to 407 total calls for service, ranging from structure fires to hazardous materials cleanup, assistance with search and rescue, and more. The department completed 3,000 man-hours of training in 2021 and has approximately 54 members.
Numerous awards were presented during the banquet at the W.S. Tretheway Pavilion.
(Individual award winners are pictured with Fire Chief Travis Ladson, left, and Assistant Chief Bill Wenzel, right. All photos are courtesy of the Spearfish Fire Department.)
Troy Mullaney was awarded the 2021 Firefighter of the Year award.
Nate Deitschman was awarded the 2021 Chief’s Excellence Award.
Kelli Werner was awarded the 2021 Training Commendation Award for the most training hours (220 hours).
Station 2 received the 2021 Station of the Year award. From left are: Troy Mullaney, Jake Jansevics, Dave McClure, Slade Ladson, Charles Fetter, Micah Schiller, Trent Walters, Carter Jones, and Pat Daugherty.
Slade Ladson was awarded the 2021 Rookie of the Year Firefighter award and the “Iron Man of the Year.”
Carter Jones was awarded the 2021 Wildland Firefighter of the Year.
Don Werner was awarded the 2021 Instructor of the Year award. As Don is currently out on a wildland assignment in Texas, he was present remotely on FaceTime, and Kelli Werner accepted the award on his behalf.
Dave McClure (top photo), Tommy Mead (left photo), and Heath Brown earned 2021 Commendation Awards for their dedication. (Heath Brown is currently on a wildland assignment in Texas and is not pictured.)
Brian Ziegler (top photo), Micah Schiller (left photo), and Don Werner were awarded 2021 Distinguished Service Awards, presented to firefighters who perform a highly unusual act of distinction under adverse conditions in the performance of duty. (Don Werner is currently on a wildland assignment in Texas and is not pictured.)
The top 10 volunteer firefighters who responded to the most calls during 2021 include, from left: Slade Ladson, Nate Deitschman, Miranda Cedillo, Charles Fetter, Levi Kessler, Pat Daugherty, Troy Mullaney, Dave McClure, Kelli Werner, and Brian Ziegler.
The 2021 Community Service Award/Friend of the Fire Department was presented to Rick Ellerton with BankWest Insurance, Trusted Choice, and S.D. Salutes.
During the banquet, Brian Hambek, executive director of the Spearfish Emergency Ambulance Service, presented a Life Saving Award to Travis Ladson, Troy Mullaney, Brian Ziegler, Don Werner, and Loni Geffre in recognition for their actions during call involving an automobile accident with injuries.
For more information about the Spearfish Fire Department, including volunteer opportunities, visit https://www.cityofspearfish.com/311/Fire-Department.