2020 Volunteer/Emergency Workers of the Year Announced - KRSL

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Published on Monday, 05 October 2020 16:32

Written by Press Release, Posted by David Elliott

Russell/Ellsworth County Emergency Management and the Russell 911 Communications Advisory Board have announced the 2020 Volunteer/Emergency Workers of the Year presented during Monday's regular Russell County Commissioners meeting.

This year they had four nominations for Volunteer/Emergency Worker of the Year. The 911 Advisory Board had a very difficult decision to make considering the following recipients.

In a normal year, they present these awards on the last Tuesday of March at the National Weather Service Storm Fury on the Plains presentation. Due to the coronavirus, that presentation was canceled by the National Weather Service earlier in March.

The award for Volunteer/Emergency Worker of the Year was presented to eight individuals. That sets a record for the number of awards presented. Eight unique and selfless individuals that would each lay down their lives for their fellow man. Two nominations came from law enforcement, one from dispatch and one from the fire service.

After discussing the incident that happened on April 18, 2019 it was decided that a total of seven individuals that responded and dispatched deserved the award for their courage and performance during a shooting incident that left one police sergeant with a gunshot wound to the leg. Officers were initially dispatched to the Days Inn in Russell to check the welfare of a possible suicidal subject who was reportedly armed. Upon arriving on scene, the subject fired shots from inside his hotel room, one of which struck Police Sergeant David Anderson. All law enforcement officers from multiple agencies responded with the highest of standards and professionalism during a very high stress and emotional situation. They were able to manage the scene, putting themselves in danger, all while curbing any further injury to themselves and the innocent bystanders in the motel. The law enforcement officers maintained their positions in the line of fire with little cover to ensure the suspect did not flee or take hostages. They also did not return fire knowing that the motel rooms surrounding the active shooter were occupied and did not want to injure any of the occupants. The dispatcher performed his duties in a manner that credits his profession as he spoke to the suspect by telephone, was able to calm him down and guide him through surrendering to officers on scene. He has been serving Russell and Russell County in dispatch since February of 1992.

The fire service awardee is the Assistant Fire Chief for Russell County Rural Fire District 4 at Dorrance. He has been a firefighter since 2013 during which he attained Firefighter 1, Emergency Medical Responder and Certified Diver. His list of accomplishments are too many to enumerate but include construction and completion of a much needed addition to the firehouse, a new water tender, and designing, constructing and assembling new turnout gear lockers for the firefighters.

"We are humbled by their bravery, compassion and professionalism and proud to call them friends and family," said the announcement press release.

Russell/Ellsworth County Emergency Management and the Russell 911 Communications Advisory Board are proud to present David Anderson, Danny Hoffman, Jordan Harrison, Brant Birney, Ryan Baxter, Greg Rose, Trevor Dinkel and Nathan Pasek as the 2020 Volunteer/Emergency Workers of the Year.

"The 911 Board felt that these eight individuals were more than deserving of this award. Each of these men are great assets to their agencies. These individuals truly show the exemplary spirit of First Responders, one who does for others without any strings attached and no matter the danger to themselves. That is why we of the 911 Advisory Board and Russell/Ellsworth County Emergency Management honor these great men for their service to Russell County."

(Information courtesy Keith Haberer, Russell/Ellsworth County Emergency Management Director.)