Kirby Pollard was named Firefighter of the Year, while firefighter-paramedic Mike Gladstone received the Emergency Medical Services Provider of the Year award at the East Pierce Fire and Rescue 2009 Recognition Awards at the district’s annual banquet May 16 at Swiss Park.

For the second year in a row, Capt. Greg Reinke was named the Career Officer of the Year.

Capt. Mark Nevill is the Volunteer Officer of the Year. The Volunteer Responder of the Year award went to Doug Mullins. Mullins recently passed the testing process and has been offered a career position with East Pierce.

Volunteer firefighter Sean Slattery received the Ken Thawsh Inspirational Award.

“The Thawsh Award is given to the person who most exemplifies the East Pierce mission statement – ‘exceptional people providing compassionate service and rapid response to our community’s diverse needs,’” Fire Chief Jerry Thorson said.

The annual Fitness Award went to firefighter-paramedic Don Cole.

Shelly Nieman was presented the Administrative Support Staff of the Year award.

Mike Giefer received the Mike Roberts Goodwill Award. The award is named for retired East Pierce Lt. Mike Roberts. It is presented to the firefighter who has done the most to embody selfless service. Giefer, who is well known for organizing Sumner’s Easter egg hunt and participating in numerous community events, was also the 2008 recipient of the award.

Volunteer firefighter Capt. Bob McDonald was acknowledged for responding to more alarms than any other volunteer. Last year, McDonald answered more than 250 emergency calls. Thorson took the opportunity to recognize McDonald, who retired this month after more than 20 years of service as a volunteer firefighter. He thanked McDonald for his “outstanding dedication and genuine concern for your department and community.”

“These awards are particularly meaningful because the firefighters themselves nominate the winners,” Thorson said. The single exception is the Chief’s Company Award, which is determined by the command staff.

This year, the Chief’s Company Award was renamed in honor of East Pierce Fire Chief Dan Packer. Packer died on July 26, 2008, in a California wildfire.

His widow, Marylee Packer, presented the awards to Lt. Justin Doyle, firefighter-paramedic Joe Worley, firefighter-paramedic Kevin Stabenfeldt and volunteer firefighters Sean Slattery and Bill Dedge.