PORT ANGELES — Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue recognized the achievements of its members in 2022 during an annual awards banquet.
“We are proud of all of our personnel who do an incredible job every day providing emergency services to the citizens of Clallam 2 Fire Rescue,” said Chief Jake Patterson in a press release about the Feb. 4 awards.
Volunteer firefighter/EMT Brian Walsh was awarded the 2022 Volunteer Firefighter of the Year Award.
“He was recognized by his peers for his positive attitude and quest for learning, for his work ethic and desire to continually learn, Patterson said.
“He not only demonstrates exceptional skill and initiative while providing emergency responses, he was recently elected to the Volunteer Firefighters Association as their secretary/treasurer,” the chief said.
Walsh also serves as a volunteer firefighter/EMT with the Port Angeles Fire Department.
Volunteer firefighter/EMT Matt Aston was awarded the 2022 Volunteer EMT of the Year Award.
Aston was the top responder for all of the volunteers in 2022 and was able to respond to 30 percent of all calls in 2022, Patterson said.
“He is passionate and driven and also completed the Firefighter I academy in 2022,” the chief said. “His dedication was obvious and he was invited by the State Fire Marshal’s Office to help instruct at the Washington State Fire Academy in North Bend in the fall of 2022.”
Career firefighter/paramedic Erik Sundin was awarded the 2022 Career Firefighter of the Year Award.
Sundin joined Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue in January 2021 and brought with him 17 years of previous firefighter experience.
“Since starting with the Fire District, he has exhibited a strong work ethic and has taken on many projects, especially on the west side of the fire district at our Dry Creek Fire Station 22,” Patterson said.
“He has helped manage setting up a new inventory management system for uniforms and personal protective equipment and regularly instructs at volunteer training nights.”
A special award was presented to Captain/EMT Marty Martinez for Excellence in Service.
Martinez was promoted as the station captain for the Dry Creek Station 22 in 2021.
“He has provided excellent leadership and mentoring to all the crew assigned to that station and continually is the first to show up and last to leave,” Patterson said.
“He also seeks out his firefighters and sets up extra training opportunities. His service doesn’t start or stop with the fire district and he can be seen in the community helping out at several events, and he regularly helps friends, co-workers and anybody in their time of need.”
Several members were recognized for their service with the Top Responder Award.
“As a majority volunteer organization, Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue relies heavily on volunteer firefighters and EMTs to respond to emergency alongside our small career staff,” Patterson said.
To receive recognition as a Top Responder, a member must make at least 10 percent of the total calls for the district in the year.
“This is not an easy task as call volumes continue to increase and the fire district responded to over 1,800 calls in 2022,” Patterson said.
In addition to Aston and Martinez, volunteer members who received the award were Firefighter/EMT Tim Davis, Lieutenant/EMT Kari Desser, EMT Brett Strid, Firefighter/EMT Mike Jensen and Captain/EMT Kevin Thompson.
The district also recognized Sarah Springob, who retired after 10 years of service as a volunteer firefighter/EMT; Fire Commissioner Thomas Martin, who retired from the commission after almost 54 years of service as a firefighter and commissioner; and Assistant Chief Dan Huff, who retired as a responder after 45 years of service.
That “is an incredible feat on its own and he will be greatly missed,” Patterson said. “However, he is not leaving the fire district as he was selected as a new fire commissioner to fill the vacant seat created by Thomas Martin’s early retirement.”
Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue serves Deer Park, Gales Addition, Mt. Pleasant Community, Black Diamond, Dry Creek and Lake Sutherland.
Marty Martinez.
