(PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
GUEST SPEAKER … Allison Armstrong from the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department was the guest speaker for the banquet.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
The Fulton County Firemen’s Association Dinner and Service Awards was held on Tuesday, February 18 at Founders Hall.
The Archbold Fire Department generously hosted the event once again this year. The evening began with everyone gathering for socializing and dinner.
After the meal, Metamora Fire Chief and Association President Jessica Geer presented Years of Service awards to the following individuals.
Archbold Fire Department
Corinna Riley – 5 years, Brian Baden – 10 years, Jonah Stiriz – 15 years, Alex Damman – 20 years, Brian Engler – 20 years, Matt Rupp – 20 years, Kris Lauber – 25 years, Matt Hines – 30 years, Ada Davis – 35 years.
Delta Community Fire Department
James Griesinger – 5 years, Tim Ellithorpe – 10 years, Angie Ziegler – 10 years, Sean Griewahn – 20 years, Jon Gillen – 25 years.
Lyons Royalton Fire Department
Jarod Kurfiss – 5 years, Zach Miramontes – 5 years, Don Krieger – 10 years, Andrea Donahue – 15 years, Robert Sayers – 20 years, Robert Deleon – 25 years, Brandon Donahue – 25 years, Matthew Smithmyer – 25 years.
Metamora-Amboy Volunteer Fire Department
Daniel Johnson – 10 years, Danielle Peebles – 15 years, Jessica Geer – 20 years, Jared Vance – 25 years, Brent Geer – 30 years.
Swanton Fire Department
Jim Zywocki – 10 years, Chad Smith – 30 years.
Wauseon Fire Department
Kaiti Prezepiora – 5 years, Brady Schaffner – 15 years, Jason Fisher – 25 years, Ben Kohler – 25 years, Jeremy Shirkey – 25 years, Kevin Nelson – 40 years.
Wauseon Fire Chief Phil Kessler expressed his gratitude to Kevin Nelson, who has served for 40 years; everyone gave a standing ovation.
A combined total of 655 years of service to Fulton County residents was recognized with this year’s honored members receiving a personalized legacy plaque.
After presenting the awards, Geer introduced the guest speaker for the evening: Toledo Fire and Rescue Chief Allison Armstrong.
“Chief Armstrong has been a dedicated member of the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department since July 2000 and was appointed Chief in 2022.
“Throughout her career, she has held various leadership positions within the department, including Lieutenant, Captain, and Battalion Chief, serving in line operations and the EMS Bureau. Notably, she served as the station commander at Fire Station 17 for five years.”
“Chief Armstrong is certified as a Paramedic, Fire Safety Inspector, Fire Instructor, and NFPA 1403 Live Fire Instructor by the State of Ohio. She is also a licensed Registered Nurse in Ohio.”
“Chief Armstrong holds a master’s degree in health informatics from the University of Cincinnati, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Mercy College, and an associate’s degree in nursing from Owens Community College.”
“In addition to her departmental responsibilities, Chief Armstrong was a member of the federally deployable Ohio-1 (OH-1) Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) for ten years, providing vital medical care to those affected by disasters or COVID-19.”
“She deployed with the OH-1 DMAT during Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Maria. Additionally, she participated in COVID-19 missions in Texas and Mississippi.”
She is currently serving as the President of the Lucas County 911 Regional Council of Governments and is a board member of both the Toledo Firefighters Museum and the Toledo Fire and Rescue Foundation”, said Geer in her introduction of Chief Armstrong.
“I’ve worked many jobs; being a firefighter and paramedic is by far the best,” said Chief Armstrong. She stated that 65% of firefighters today are volunteers.
When she first started her career, 6,000 people used to sign up for the department, but now she feels fortunate to have 280 on the hiring list.
Armstrong went on to recall a time when she had fallen through the floor of a building that they were called out to. She was pinned down with a table that had fallen on her.
All she had to rely on at that moment was her training, her protective gear, and the other firefighters on the scene. She is here today due to being able to stay calm and fall back on her training.
“As a firefighter, we sign up for a lifelong commitment of training,” she said. Armstrong also wanted everyone to know that events like this banquet are super important to recognize the achievements of those in this line of work.