Several important honors and awards were presented to Albion Fire & Rescue members during their annual banquet Saturday evening, Feb. 24.

In 2023, the fire department was called for 39 incidents. Recognized as the top five responders, making over half of those calls, were Mark Tisthammer, Weston Ray, Mitch Hardwick, Taylor Nelson and Brenden Eidson.

Receiving the department vote for the 2023 Firefighter of the Year was Taylor Nelson.

With 208 EMS calls for the past year, the department recognized its top seven responders, all answering over 25 percent of the calls: Weston Ray 57, Ray Dozler 58, Brenden Eidson 76, Bruce Benne 88, Drew Schaefer 101, Matt Childress 105, and Taylor Nelson 126 Receiving the department vote for EMS Provider of the Year was Drew Schaefer.

Dr. Tony Kusek was recognized for 36 years of serving as the department’s Medical Director.

Those serving as officers for 2023 were - Company 1: Captain Cody Rasmussen, Lieutenant Andrea Krohn; Company 2: Captain Bryan Hohnholt, Lieutenant David Lueken; Company 3: Captain Michael Schriver, Lieutenant Greg Krohn.

Rescue Training Officers: Clay Thompson and Sara Rasmussen; Rescue Lieutenant: Matt Childress Rescue Captain: Kyle Larson.

Fire Training Officers Mark Tisthammer and Mitch Hardwick; Secretary Whitney Paulson; Treasurer John Moeller; Vice President Taylor Nelson; President Weston Ray; Assistant Chief Jason Borer, and Fire Chief Bruce Benne Committees recognized were the Recognition Committee, Community Outreach Committee, Golf Committee, Grass Rig Committee and 2024 Mini Fire School Committee.

Nine department members furthered their skills and became Firefighter One certified in 2023. They are Nicole Hardwick, Mark Tisthammer, Alexa Nelson, Greg Krohn, David Lueken, Matt Childress, Lance Dahlquist, Cody Rasmussen and Weston Ray.

To qualify for the Volunteer Emergency Responders Incentive Act tax credit, a member must receive at least 50 points within the calendar year. Albion Fire & Rescue had 29 members qualify this year.

Members were also honored for their years of service as of December 31, 2023.

In his first year of service is Jeff Young. Completing one year are Brenden Eidson, Alexa Nelson, Jennifer Molt and Austin Bader.

Completing two years are Lance Dahlquist and Rachel Tisthammer.

Rookie of the Year award is voted upon by the full membership and presented to a member in good standing that has served less than three years with the department. This year’s recipient is Lance Dahlquist.

Additional years of service awards:

• Three years: Andrea Krohn;

• Four years: Erica Young, Nicole Hardwick, Bryan Hohnholt, Matthew Childress and David Lueken.

• Presented with a chair inscribed with “Serving Since 2018” for five years on the department are: Nathan Schriver, Kelli Tisthammer, Greg Krohn and Jessica O’Brien.

• Six years: Dan Towey, Mitch Hardwick and Taylor Nelson.

• Seven years: Michael Schriver.

• Eight years: Mark Tisthammer and Sheila Grape.

• Nine years: Weston Ray.

• Presented with a duffle bag embroidered with “Serving Since 2013” for 10 years on the department was Clay Thompson.

• 11 Years: Ben Edwards and Drew Schaefer.

• 12 Years: Cody Rasmussen, Sara Rasmussen and Jason Bader.

• 13 Years: Tony Levander, Kyle Larson, Whitney Paulson, John Moeller and Paul Rasmussen.

• Presented with a blanket for his 15 years of service was Jason Borer.

• 16 years: Chris Nelson.

• Presented with an inscribed Mag-light for 20 years with Albion Fire & Rescue was Casey Slaymaker.

• Presented with a yard-markers for 25 years of dedicated service were Bruce Benne and Paul Kyncl.

• 26 years: Ray Dozler The Rural Board provided the catered meal. Rural Board members are James Kunzman (six years of service), President Ron Dozler (nine years), Secretary Carey Goodwater (10 years), Tom Sullivan (15 years) and Dan Hamling (36 years).

Ron Dozler spoke on behalf of the board and expressed gratitude for the dedication of the community members. He noted that, as he travels, he notices other departments are not as involved. “Drive through Albion and there are more often than not vehicles at the station and someone training, working, preparing or responding,” he said.