GCV Fire Department recognizes service

Tyler Donn went out on 88 percent of the fire calls to which the Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire Department responded this year. Fred Netzel responded to 88 percent of the calls the ambulance service answered.

Donn and Netzel each were recognized with a certificate for their dedicated service and responding to the most calls, at the department's annual Award and Holiday Dinner on Saturday at the fire hall.

They were among several award recipients at the dinner.

"Ayden Donn received a special recognition for his excellent work as a Junior Fire Fighter," a department Facebook post states.

Kristen Cannon, a firefighter and emergency medical technician, was given a special chief's award for her dedication in the last year.

Trent Turner was awarded the Rookie of the Year and the "Smoke Eater's" award.

Krissy Donn was named the "Terry Sieker" Fire Fighter of the Year.

Tyler Donn received the "Robert McGuire" EMS Person of the Year award.

The department also recognized Grand Coulee's chief of police, John Tufts, who is getting ready to retire next year, thanking him for many years of service as a policeman and chief, and for his service as a firefighter in the department.

Fire Chief Ryan Fish said the department had responded to a record number of fire calls this year. He told the city council last month that number was "about to hit 90," as compared to a normal 50-60.

Ambulance Director Richard Paris noted, in a review of ambulance activities, that the service had put on an EMT class that yielded several new EMTs.

Mayor Paul Townsend also attended and was thanked for his years of service. He will finish his term in office at year's end, having decided not seek re-election this year.

The dinner was catered by PK's Cullinary.