GRAY FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Gray Fire Department capped off a busy year with its annual award banquet, recognizing the exceptional dedication of the city’s volunteer firefighters.
A Dec. 15 press release by the department’s public information officer Rebecca Husted provided a report of the event.
“The 2022 awards banquet was held at Butler Hall in Gray Dec. 8 to recognize some of our outstanding volunteer firefighters who ensure that the City of Gray Fire Department meets or exceeds the standards when compared to departments around the country and region. Since the fire service is always changing, we must change with it, to stay on top of improvements and ensure we serve the community the very best we can,” the release stated.
After a meal catered by Sawmill Restaurant, Gray Fire Chief Keith Eisele spoke to the audience, including volunteers, family and special guests. The topic of his address was the professionalism of the GFD volunteers and their service over the year.
At the conclusion of his remarks, the chief presented the awards.
Firefighter Caroline Thompson was selected as Rookie of the Year. The award is given to a member who is newly sworn and has performed at the highest level of expectations. Thompson joined the department in January of 2021 and achieved Firefighter 1 certification this year. She also obtained her Life Safety Educator certification to be part of the fire prevention team, teaching the public.
Rebecca Husted was honored as Support Firefighter of the Year.
Firefighter of the Year was awarded to Sgt. Brandon Perry. The award goes to an individual who has shown great teamwork, positive attitudes and devotion to the department throughout the year. Perry came to the GFD in 2016 as a certified volunteer firefighter from another department and has completed training for NPQ Firefighter 1 and Fire Instructor certification. Perry also serves as the department’s communications officer and oversees all technology.
Sergeant of the Year is a new award, and the inaugural awardee was Mark Husted. The award is given to an individual who goes above and beyond their duties, shows exceptional leadership, willing to head up any tasks delegated to them and is a positive mentor. Husted is a certified Firefighter 2 and Fire Instructor. He answered 73 percent of incidents and 88 percent of training this year, the highest in the department.
Fire Officer of the Year was presented to Capt. Heather Johnson. The award is given to an officer who consistently goes above and beyond, shows great teamwork, exceptional leadership, mentors focus, furthers their knowledge and takes charge where it is needed. Johnson joined GFD in January of 2011. Her certifications include Firefighter 1 and 2 and Public and Fire Line Safety educator, and Fire Instructor 1 and 2. The captain serves as GFD Fire Prevention Specialist for all city fire hydrants with ISO, provides fire prevention education to the public including schools and nursing homes, and oversees all building pre-plans and inspections.
“All of which help keep the ISO rating in the City of Gray low, which keeps insurance premiums lower for residents and businesses.”
Meritorious awards were presented to Firefighters Ernest Faircloth, Jordan Harris and Patrick Peebles.
“These individuals are always ready to help our community and always first to step up and lead others, which keeps our agency on a successful pathway.”
Years of Service awards:
• Five years: Firefighter 1 NPQ Casey Perry, Firefighter 1 NPQ Aubrey Register, Firefighter 2 NPQ Mark Husted
• 10 years: Support Firefighter Rebecca Husted
• 25 years: Deputy Chief Karl Zimmer
