O'Neill Fire Department Holds Award Night

50 YEARS OF SERVICE - Ron Schmit was honored by Chief Roger Miller for 50 Years of Service to the O'Neill Fire Department.

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40 YEARS OF SERVICE - Earl Hipke was honored by Chief Roger Miller for 40 Years of Service to the O'Neill Fire Department.

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10 YEARS OF SERVICE - Alex Miles was honored by Chief Roger Miller for 10 Years of Service to the O'Neill Fire Department. Alex was also named Fire Fighter of the year.

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40 YEARS OF SERVICE - Rod Ludemann was honored by Chief Roger Miller for 40 Years of Service to the O'Neill Fire Department.

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20 YEARS OF SERVICE — Adam Kurtz was honored by Chief Roger Miller for 20 years of service to the O'Neill Fire Department.

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5 YEARS OF SERVICE — Garrett Lake was honored by Chief Roger Miller for five years of service to the O'Neill Fire Depart-
ment.

The O'Neill Fire Department held its awards night on Saturday, June 7, at the O'Neill Fire Hall.

Six members of the Department were awarded for years of service.

Ron Schmit of O'Neill was honored for 50 years of service. Schmit joined the Department in 1975, rising through the ranks and becoming one of the Department's most effective chiefs. Through Schmit's leadership, the Department broke barriers, becoming a more modern department. Modern equipment, such as pumpers and tankers, was added by both the city and rural fire boards. Working with the City and Rural boards, he helped raise levies on the county side to ensure that funding would be in place for future departmental needs.

"Ron has always been a strong proponent of the department and has been a leader and mentor for firemen and officers alike," said O'Neill Fire  Chief Roger Miller.

"I have seen a lot of growth since I was chief all those years ago. I know that when the call goes out for fire as well as ambulance, our members will and are there to respond," said Schmit.

Rod Ludemann and Earl Hipke were also honored at this year's event, as both members have clocked 40 years of service, joining in 1985. Ludeman was also a former Fire Chief as well as holding Captains positions through the years. Hipke also joined in 1985 and has held Captain positions, as well as both 40-year members, being Fire Fighter 1, and have had EMT licenses.

Adam Kurtz was honored for 20 years of service. Receiving awards for five years of service were Alex Miles and Garrett Lake.

The Department recently held its board of officer elections. Roger Miller will remain Chief, Alex Miles will take over as Assistant Chief, Kale Burdick will remain as City Captain, Jerod Waterman will take over as Rural Captain, Ryan Kelly will remain as Aerial Captain, Andrew Huber will remain as Rescue Captain and Brandi Ferhinger will take over as the O'Neill Ambulance Captain.

The Department consists of 35 members and, in the past year, has responded to 50 Fires and 320 Ambulance calls.

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