Sunday, March 23, 2025
BREWSTER – There were no major callouts on Saturday afternoon and evening, Feb. 8, to interrupt the 2025 Appreciation Dinner for Douglas Okanogan County Fire District 15 (DOCFD15) volunteers held at the Brewster American Legion.
Dozens of district volunteers and family members representing five stations – Methow, Pateros, Brewster, Rocky Butte, and Bridgeport - gathered in the Columbia Post 97 banquet hall to share food and stories and reflect on the year just past.
City Fire Chief Dylan Gamble welcomed guests and handled introductions during the four-hour event. Following the invocation and Fallen Firefighter Empty Chair Ceremony, guests enjoyed dinner provided by Brewster Marketplace.
Guest speaker Billy Bosch of Real Life Church praised the firefighter/EMS fraternity.
“You are the brave individuals, and you are the heartbeat of our towns’ safety and security,” said Bosch. “You are the ones who answer the call at all hours of the day and night and leave behind your own families to ensure the safety of ours…God bless each and every one of you.”
Gamble recognized Paine, along with Bosch, as counseling resources.
“These two are great guys,” said Gamble. “If you are having problems, they will take time to talk to you anytime.”
Scattered throughout the evening were ticket drawings for lucky recipients of prizes donated by two dozen businesses from around the area.
At one point, Gamble turned the meeting over to station leaders for the presentation of awards. Volunteers and award recipients include:
Pateros Station
Chief Kerry Heen
Asst. Chief Matt Coffman (Chief’s Award)
Captain Gage Carson (Firefighter of the Year Award)
1st Lt Bruce Henne
Cindy Cavazos (Most Inspirational Award)
Amber Heen (Most Improved Firefighter Award)
Amanda McDaniel
Cody Amsden
Jacob Cales
Matt King
Louie Wright
Chris Heal
Special award: Ray Sandy Memorial Award of Excellence to Sheryl Sandy.
Brian Paine, Acting Chaplain for the Pateros Station, delivered some inspirational remarks for the late Chief Sandy, who succumbed to cancer on Nov. 2, 2024.
Brewster Station
City Chief Dylan Gamble
Asst. Chief Victor Vargas
Captain Austin Vargas
Chief Jacob Poole
Connor Wiggs (Lonn Wagg Memorial Award – Service & Dedication)
Caleb Infante (Rookie of the Year Award)
Jason Allen
Alan Perea
Arturo Aparicio
Kevin Vallance
Kylee Levi
Tyrell Vargas
Beto Infante
Alex Avalos
Gregorio Huerta
Tim Isensee
Douglas Viebrock
Dario Orozco
Eric Ramirez
Luis Lorenzano
Tyler Levi
Thomas Steggall
Rocky Butte Station
Chief Salvador Rodriguez (Jean Goehry Memorial Award – Service & Dedication)
Manny Arevalo
Dave McNamara
Bridgeport Station
Chief Qristian Solorio
Asst. Chief Gabe Gonzalez (25 Years of Service Award)
Captain Jose Bucio
Captain Edgar Meza (Dan Zaccanti Award)
Dan Zaccanti – (19 Years of Service Award)
Alfredo Trejo
Luis Talavera
Heriberto Lozano
Alex Martinez
Lazaro Cardenas
Eduardo Gildo
Danny Dominguez
Angel Castineda
FD15 EMS Volunteers
Shelley Brown
Sabrina Velasco
Genea Flynn
Kevin Vallance
Joshua Corsa
Jason Allen
Spencer Smyth
Kelsey Oyler
District 15 paid staff
District Chief William Vallance (ret.)
EMS Director Tonya Vallance, AEMT
Art Smyth, AEMT
Kristina Martinez, AEMT
Mya Bercier, EMT-B
Jeff Power, EMT-B
A video clip and slide showing the year in review concluded the event.
Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media
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