Central honors its own with awards ceremony

WASILLA — The Central Mat-Su Fire Department honored more than two dozen of its own this past week at the department’s annual awards ceremony.

The big prize — Responder of the Year — went to longtime Central responder Dorte Mobley.

“It was pretty cool. I was happy,” Mobley said of the recognition.

Originally from Denmark, Mobley signed on with the department in the fall of 1992 initially as a firefighter. Now, she’s also an engineer — someone who drives fire trucks — a rescue technician and an emergency medical technician.

At the ceremony, Mobley said having heard a number of folks talk about how awardees spend so much time away from home responding to car accidents and putting out fires, she accepted her honor with a joke.

“I kind-of said that I just did this to get away from home,” Mobley said.

“Dorte is a busy lady,” acting Central Mat-Su Fire Chief Michael Keenan said. “She’s always been a solid responder and she just really stood out this year.”

The department also gave special recognition to Cliff Silvers and Scott Marx.

Keenan said Silvers, chief of the Mat-Su Borough’s dive rescue team, often shows up to clean trucks or prepare for a response. Marx, an 11-year veteran, resigned last year and deserves recognition for his contributions, Keenan said.

On the ambulance side of the department, EMS Assistant chief Gene Wiseman said the department gave five recognition awards to folks whose work stands out.

Jamie Newlon and Amy McNulty were singled out for their work training staff and helping new recruits learn the ropes, Wiseman said. Greg Smith was cited for his amazing readiness and always being available to pull a shift when needed.

Virginia “Ginny” Gee was honored for helping educate staff and working as, essentially, a shift supervisor, even if not officially holding that position, Wiseman said.

Billie “Jo” Hansen earned and award for having trained up to be an EMT II and excelling in her new skill set, Wiseman said.

“We wanted to recognize the ones that we truly felt needed recognition, not that everybody didn’t need recognition, but these are the ones that stood out,” Wiseman said.

On the fire side, the department also singled out Tara Mellon, Brian Shea and David “DJ” Angaiak. They stepped up to the plate since Keenan took over chief duties and could no longer train volunteers, Keenan said.

The department also handed out a number of “Most Valuable” awards. Rescue Technician Award went to Roy Roistacher, the Public Fire Educator Award to Chad Staats, Explorer Award to Charles Frey, Engineer Award to Suzanne Gaines, Lieutenant Award to Josh Standifird, Captain Award to John Muth and Chief Award to Ken Barkley.

Most Valuable Firefighter went to two responders, Tim Dey and Ken Hutchings.

“That’s what they’re saying,” Hutchings said of the recognition. “I’m not sure I believe it myself.”

“As much as firefighters don’t really care for notoriety or don’t want to be singled out, it means a lot to be recognized by your peers,” Dey said.

The department also handed out military service recognition awards to Shawn Brown, John Darnell, James Gilchrist, Ned Tri, Brian Richmond and John Smith.

Keenan said the department also presented general recognition plaques to the department’s mechanics and dispatchers for their work for the department.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiers-man.com or 352-2270.