On Saturday, April 16, Zionsville Fire Department hosted the ZFD Firefighter’s Awards Program. For 22 years, ZFD has hosted this event to recognize firefighters for their achievements.
ZFD announces the following “of the year” awards for 2021: Probationary Firefighter of the Year – Jeremy Anker, EMT of the Year – Ben Shircliff, Paramedic of the Year – Tre Schmitt and the newly dedicated Cody Richardson Memorial Firefighter of the Year – Benji Johnson.
Chief James VanGorder recognized Lieutenant Jeff Beam as the first full-time member who retired from the Zionsville Fire Department.
The Zionsville Professional Firefighters Leadership Award was given to Firefighter/EMT Cody Seymour for leadership and integrity. Cody was chosen for this award for consistently displaying the skills of a true leader.
There was a Unit Commendation awarded to a team of individuals that responded to a vehicle accident with multiple patients. Because of the responders’ swift actions and working with skill in their actions as a team, the accident survivors were met with a favorable outcome. The responders recognized are Firefighter Paramedic Tad Henderson, Firefighter John Ball, Firefighter Benji Johnson, Firefighter Paramedic Joey Goltz, Firefighter Paramedic Justin Spivey, Firefighter Sam Alley, Engineer Ryan Luttrull, Firefighter Nathan Oakes, Captain Brian Miller, Firefighter Dustin Campins, Firefighter Matt Mellencamp and Battalion Chief Lance Turner.
ZFD thanks everyone that attended this year’s ZFD Firefighter’s Ball & Awards Banquet and helped make the evening a night to remember. This year’s sponsors included Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care Zionsville/West Carmel (title sponsor), Noah Grant’s (gold sponsor) and Meijer of Whitestown (silver sponsor). Notable support was received from Boone County Firefighters Local 5195, Bub’s Burgers and Pearson Ford.