2/1/14 - The Firefighter of the Year award, along with meritorious service citations , other awards and promotions - were presented at the annual Brighton Area Fire Dept. awards ceremony, held Friday night at the Brighton Performing Arts Center. A Brighton firefighter who, it was said, gives tirelessly of himself both on-and-off-duty has been named the Brighton Area Fire Departmentâs Firefighter of the Year. The honor goes to Joe Pawczuk, a sergeant assigned to the fire station on Dorr Road in Genoa Township. Fire Chief Mike OâBrian tells WHMI that by setting an excellent example of dedication to duty, Pawczuk has earned the respect and admiration of his fellow firefighters. OâBrian says whatâs most significant about the award is the designation of Firefighter of the Year is voted on by the firefighters themselves. Sgt. Pawczuk said he was surprised and honored by the award. Some of the major awards included the separate fire station Firefighter of the Year awards: Rob Furlong, Brighton city fire station on Grand River; Matt Mardeusz, Old US-23/Hyne Road station in Brighton Twp.; Andrew Zaleski, Weber St. station; and Jacob Cook, Chilson Road station in Genoa Township. Fire Captain James Corcoran, who is also a certified fire inspector, won the Distinguished Service Award, as did Human Resources Director Anne Campbell. Three people associated with the Howell Public School District won civilian awards for their work in establishing the Howell High School firefighters program, in which a student can graduate from high school as a certified firefighter in the state of Michigan. Award recipients included Howell Board of Education President Mike Witt, Howell Superintendent Ron Wilson and Howell High School Principal Jason Schrock. (TT)
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