Chief Steve Haun presented Lifesaver awards and named the Firefighter of the Year.
Micah Akins, an engineer with Cleveland Fire Department, was chosen as the Firefighter of the Year by his peers.
Akins has been a firefighter with CFD since 1998.
Haun and his commanders said they had a tough time choosing the award recipients.
“All of you make my job easier. I know if I am away ... things will continue to run smoothly,” Haun said.
The ceremony was held at the Museum Center at Five Points.
Battalion Chiefs Buddy Smith, Greg Hooper and Bobby Gaylor presented awards to their top choices for their respective battalions.
Commander Smith presented Randy Bienvenu with the Commander’s Award for Battalion 1. Bienvenu has been a firefighter with CFD since 2008.
Battalion 2 Commander Greg Hooper named Drew Rader as the firefighter receiving the award for his battalion. Rader has also been with CFD since 2008.
Michael McCabe was awarded by Commander Gaylor with the Battalion 3 award. McCabe has been with CFD since 2010.
Lt. Jeremy Greenleaf was not present due to a medical condition. Greenleaf was awarded the William V. Ragsdale Award. The Ragsdale award is presented to a member of the memorial Color Guard.
Greenleaf has been a member of Cleveland Fire Department since 1999.
Also not present at the banquet was Lt. Hank Pate, who was awarded the Chief’s Award for Service. Pate has also been a member of the Cleveland Fire Department since 1999.
During a special presentation, Brittany Mowery, wife of firefighter Josh Mowery, was given a framed news article which contained her photography. Mowery had captured a number of images of the Cleveland Chair Company fire. The article was published in “Firehouse” magazine, according to Haun.
