The snow and cold weather didn’t hamper the DeKalb County Fire Department from having its annual awards banquet last Saturday evening. Firefighters and their families gathered at the County Complex to celebrate last year’s achievements and recognize some for their outstanding service to the community.
Wilson Bank & Trust served as the headlining sponsor of the program, while Alex Woodward, a firefighter of the Cookeville Highway Station, served as the emcee for the event. During the meal, the crowd was entertained with a magic show by Dr. Mark Kaschube of Kaschube Illusion.
During the awards ceremony, Luke Green, a member of the Cookeville Highway Station and the department training officer, was named the 2023 Wilson Bank & Trust Firefighter of the Year. The award was presented by Green’s father, DeKalb Fire Chief Donny Green, and Chad Colwell of Wilson Bank & Trust.
Emcee Woodward told the crowd that Green had been selected from firefighters demonstrating excellence in training participation, incident response and community service. “Luke is an upstanding citizen in DeKalb County. He is a volunteer firefighter, an educator and a role model to many people throughout the school system, fire department, and his church. Green has an upbeat personality that we all wish we could have and many people look up to him. He always wants anyone to excel in anything they do in life and is the type of motivator that any fire department would love to have.”
“Luke assumed the department’s training responsibilities at the beginning of the year and has taken training to a new level within the department. He has set up and coordinated many extra trainings for firefighters not required of him and through these trainings, all ages have been able to continue their education and learn from being a safety officer to someone who does interior attacks. Green always has a job for everyone at the training so no one is ever left out and they never stop until the job is done or until they can mentor someone else to achieve their goals,” Woodward said.
“Luke has worked hard in continuing his education to better serve DeKalb County and the fire department over the last year. He not only performs in his role as a training officer but also leads by example showing his skills on the fire scene.”
“Green also coaches football and when some of the students do not have rides home, he will take them home out of the goodness of his heart. Firefighters who display these characteristics deserve to be awarded for the hard work not only done at the fire department but also for our community. Luke is the type of guy that every department across Tennessee wishes they had on their department,” Woodward concluded.
Other awards included Lieutenant Dusty Johnson who repeated as the Liberty State Bank Officer of the Year, while Justin Bass of the Main Station was presented the DeKalb Funeral Chapel “Git R Done” award. The DeKalb Telephone Cooperative (DTC) Rookie of the Year award was presented to Clayton Anstis of the Temperance Hall Station, while Temperance Hall Station 67 was named the Firstbank Station of the Year winner. A new award, the Smithville Marine Station Commander of the Year award, was presented to Andy Pack of the Belk Station.
Ten firefighters were recognized for their length of service to the department, with five-year and 10-year service pins awarded, sponsored by Walmart, and 15-plus year pins sponsored by Middle Tennessee Natural Gas.
Those receiving five-year pins were Sandra Caffee of the Cookeville Highway Station, Andrew Harvey (of the Liberty Station, Tony Moore, Station Commander of Cookeville Highway Station, and Jason Young of the Short Mountain Highway Station.
Those receiving 10-year pins were Matt Boss of the Liberty Station, Harley Lawrence of the Main Station, Brent Reed of the Blue Springs Station, and Robert Sartin, Station Commander of the Short Mountain Highway Station.
Steve Repasy of the Midway Station was presented with a 15-year pin, while Assistant Chief Anthony Boyd was presented with a 25 years of service pin.
Firefighters who had high attendance for training exercises were also recognized during the banquet. Safe Industries sponsored awards for firefighters who attended 100 percent of trainings in 2023, while B&B Emergency Equipment sponsored awards for firefighters who attended at least 75 percent of trainings.
Justin Bass, Anthony Boyd, Triston Brandon, Luis Caceres, Blake Cantrell, Joshua Davis, Keith Elkins, Donny Green, Luke Green, Christina Hovey, Dustin Johnson, Heather Lader, Jordan Lader, Steven Lawrence, Cindy Nixon, Will Odom, Matt Olson, Andy Pack, Billy Parker, Robert Patrick, Cheyenne Phalin, Terry Phillips, Shawn Puckett, Blake Reffue, Frank Rodegeb, Robert Sartin, Eric Snow, Brian Williams, and Alex Woodward were recognized for 100 percent participation.
Program sponsors for the banquet were Twisted Oaks, Center Hill Nursery, C&S Farms, Middle TN Natural Gas, Glynn’s Auto Sales, Journey Financial Planning, DeKalb Co. Insurance, DeKalb Farm Bureau, Mountain Harbour POA, Walmart, Rock Solid Construction, The Realty Firm, DeKalb Medical Clinic, Risher Roofing, WJLE Radio, DeKalb Market, Mapco, McElroy Land Management, Close & Pascal Realty & Auction, Clyde Thomas Family Memorial, Swallows Insurance, Sligo Marina, S&B Designs, Firstbank, Turnkey Bail Bonding, J&A Fence, Center Hill Marina, Smithville Marine, Pates Ford Resort & Marina, Landergood Aviation, DeKalb Title LLC, B&G Supply, DeKalb Depot, Tramel CPA, Johnson Construction, Gill Automotive, S&J Trophies, and Holmes Group.
