The Smithville Fire Department held its annual awards banquet last Thursday, honoring firefighters for the work and dedication they have put into the department over the past year. The late volunteer firefighter and Deputy Chief Hoyte Hale was posthumously honored at the event, with his family receiving the “Robert Eller Highest Attendance Award.”
Hale had served with the department over 40 years, passed away suddenly on September 29, 2024, but had already earned his qualification for the award, having responded to the most incidents, trainings, and events during the year. The award is named in honor of the late Robert Eller, who served the Smithville Fire Department as a member and assistant chief for 64 years until his death in 2009. Hale’s sons and daughter in law, Devin and Quentin Hale and Myrie Atnip, received the award from Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker and Deputy Chief Jeff Wright.
“We can’t say enough about Hoyte. We have had a hard time adjusting to his passing, each one of us in our own way. It has affected our department, not just for the members, but the way we operate and do things. We didn’t realize how much to start with, but since going to a few fire calls and meetings, we have really started seeing the impact Hoyte had on our department. We always counted on Hoyte to be there. If we had a house fire Hoyte was always there. We want his family to understand how much Hoyte meant to the Smithville Fire Department and the citizens of Smithville,” said Chief Parker.
Dalton Roberts also received the “Robert Eller Award” for attending the most incidents, trainings, workings, and events as a career full-time firefighter. Roberts also received the career training award for having put in 135 training hours, the most of any other career firefighter.
Roberts was also honored with a new award named in honor of Hale, the Hoyte Hale Firefighter of the Year Award.” The new awards are presented to the firefighter who goes above and beyond to help others and better the department. The award was presented to Roberts by members of Hale’s family.
“When Hoyte passed away we wanted to do something to honor him, so we are starting the ‘Hoyte Hale Award.’ This award is in honor of Hoyte for his 40 years of dedication and service to the Smithville Fire Department,” said Chief Parker.
Joseph Taylor was presented the training award for a volunteer firefighter. He also put in 135 training hours.
William “Wink” Brown was presented a 50-year lifetime service award. Brown has been a volunteer with the Smithville Fire Department for 27 years, but has also served other fire departments for a total of 50 years.
The Smithville Fire Department is made up of four full-time paid firefighters, including Chief Charlie Parker, Dalton Roberts, Glenn Lattimore and Ryan Evans, along with almost 30 volunteers. Members of the department were recognized and presented certificates for their years of service. Chief Parker recognized member Mark Riggsee for his service to the department, while Dalton Roberts was recognized for having received his EMT certification. Sean Hatch also earned his EMT certification and completed his basic fire training. Seth Wright became certified as an instructor and John Poss and Dalton Roberts earned their FF1 Fire Commission certification. Chief Parker said the department as a whole responded to 249 incidents and there were 54 trainings and 8 events involving the department.
A badge pinning ceremony was observed for members Jeff Wright, promoted to Deputy Chief and to firefighters Jayden Mitchell, Max Lahoda, Daine Powell, Joseph Taylor, Mackenley Turner and Ryan Evans.
