First Responder of the Year
Presented by
Presenting our nominees in the following categories:
Fire
law enforcement
EMS
Fire Department Nominees
Brad Droege
Assistant Chief - Norwood Young America Fire Department
As a 30+ year member of Region 11 and the MN State Fire Chiefs for over 35 years, Firefighter Droege has been nominated for his long service and commitment to the community and fire safety. He has been the treasurer of the Minnesota Fire Service Foundation for many years, and he is especially passionate about the MN Fallen Firefighter Memorial. He helped raise money for building and furnishing the memorial. He serves at funerals and other events at the memorial.
Brittney Baker
Firefighter/Paramedic for St. Paul
Firefighter/EMS Baker was born and raised in Saint Paul to a single mother who raised her children in a challenging environment with few resources, but with a value system that promoted helping others in need. Ms. Baker overcame these early hardships by working her way through St. Paul Fire EMS Academy and then paramedic training. She became the second African American female firefighter hired by the department.
Firefighter/EMS Baker completed programs to earn her Associate of EMS degree, DOT instructor, Fire I, II and Live Burn instructor certifications. She earned a scholarship from the National Association of EMS Physicians to continue her studies toward a bachelor’s degree. She is a recent recipient of the Paul Barratt award for volunteer work in the community—Rondo Days, Juneteenth and many other organizations. She serves as Secretary of St. Paul Firefighter’s United.
As a wife and mother of three, Firefighter/EMS Baker works to set an example in the community about overcoming poverty and adversity.
David Kenworthy
Fire Chief
Mr. Kenworthy has been nominated for serving as a “pillar for public safety” in Dodge Center. He has served in various roles in the fire department over his 20+ year career, and he currently serves as Fire Chief. He became an EMT and also dedicates his time to the ambulance service.
Mr. Kenworth is recognized for his consistent “gift of giving” throughout his career. He mentors new recruits, is eager to learn new things, adapts to change, and leads by positive example.
Gary Reed
Lake Crystal Firefighter - President of Region 14
Law Enforcement Nominees
Bart Kothman & Cody Eisenshenk
Police Officers - Foley Police Department
Sgt. Jean Valere
Police Sgt.
Officer Ryan Duxbury
Police Officer
EMS Nominees
Michael Bunker
Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Dept, Mahnomen County Fire Dept, Mahnomen Health Care Ambulance
When at the scene of an incident, Mr. Bunker often multi-tasks with all of the above roles (fire, police, EMS): responding in an ambulance, helping to suppress a fire, and providing critical arson investigation observations.
Andrew Torres
EMS
Bill Hoffer
EMT
Mr. Hoffer became a First Responder and then an NREMT after retiring from a 36 year career as a supervisor/mechanic in a private company. He is a certified CPR instructor and Emergency Vehicle Operator Course Instructor and training officer. As a volunteer in a small community, he takes an average of 14% more of total calls annually than other volunteers.
Mr. Hoffer’s wife and son are also EMTs, and the whole family has at times answered cardiac arrest calls. He has saved multiple lives in the community through his persistence and skill. An example was given of Mr. Hoffer leading a team in CPR for over 40 minutes and then checking in on the family at the hospital.
Mr. Hoffer serves the dept by providing building and rig maintenance and addressing mechanical problems.
Dominique Kuechle & Nicholas Engler
Paramedics
Join us october 8th for the award ceremony
Instructions
Please submit your name, email, and select the nominee that you’re voting for.
Then click “vote” to cast your vote!
**All department heads received a request for nominations to provide candidates for this award. The above nominees represents the finalist from that list.