While the Zionsville Fire Department was not able to host the 21st annual ZFD Firefighter’s Ball and Awards Banquet due to COVID-19 restrictions, the department gathered for a daytime event to honor some deserving firefighters for their efforts and special actions in 2020.
The department is proud to announce the following awards for 2020:
- Probationary Firefighter of the Year – Blake Dougherty
- EMT of the Year – Kellen Holt
- Paramedic of the Year – Walter Leverich
- Firefighter of the Year – Lt. Steve Hayes
Other special awards for 2020:
The 2020 Business Partner of the Year Award was presented to Pro Team Tactical Performance and received by Tim Drudge for their continued support in the health and wellness for injured firefighters.
Lt. Steve Hayes presented Division Chief Aaron Gibbons with Zionsville Professional Firefighter’s Leadership Award for leadership and integrity.
A Lifesaving Award was presented to Firefighter/Paramedic Walter Leverich, Firefighter Eddie Frank, Firefighter Blake Dougherty, Firefighter Sean Rumple and Engineer Steve Snider. The crew responded swiftly to save an 11-year-old girl with a brain bleed.
Another Lifesaving Award was given to Firefighter Shane Daugherty, Engineer Matt Petro, Firefighter Jason Powell, Firefighter Derrick Pulse, Firefighter/Paramedic Neil Valestin and Lt. Scott Mamaril. The rapid response and deployment of a Lucas Device provided lifesaving CPR. Early bystander CPR was provided on the scene which was critical to the successful outcome for the patient.
A Unit Commendation Award was presented to a team of individuals that responded to a mass casualty incident on I-65: Firefighter Sam Alley, Lt. Jeff Beam, Firefighter John Ball, Firefighter Andrew Cammarata, Firefighter/Paramedic Joey Goltz, Firefighter/Paramedic Drue Goss, Deputy Chief Mark Hart, Firefighter/Paramedic Tad Henderson, Firefighter Kellen Holt, Firefighter Evan Latty, Firefighter/Paramedic Daniel McRoberts, Captain Brian Miller, Division Chief Jason Potts, Engineer Bobby Smith, Battalion Chief Ryan Sparks, Engineer Dan Stevens, Battalion Chief Lance Turner and Firefighter/Paramedic Abdullakh Abamislimov. The fatal accident had multiple patients that were transported to area hospitals for additional treatment. ZFD personnel worked with Whitestown Fire Department, Pike Township Fire Department and Boone County EMS personnel.