Firefighter of the Year Jeff Hackney with his father (Submitted photos)
Oak Ridge Fire Department employees have picked the outstanding firefighter and officer of 2013, Fire Chief Darryl Kerley announced this week. The awards were presented earlier this month at a reception for the employees and their families.
Firefighter of the Year
Jeff Hackney was named the 2013 Firefighter of the Year, a press release said. Hackney is a firefighter and engineer on A-shift, and he was recognized for his significant contributions to the remodeling and repairs to Fire Station No. 1 and No. 2 and his work on the training props and burn buildings at Fire Station No. 3.
Hackney also served as acting captain for several months during the past application process and is in the process of obtaining his fire officer certification.
“Congratulations to Jeff Hackney for outstanding service in 2013,” the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release.
Officer of the Year Josh Waldo with his wife and son
Officer of the Year
ORFD Deputy Chief Josh Waldo was named the Officer of the Year for his significant contributions to the fire prevention programs and 2013 fire training efforts, the press release said.
“Chief Waldo continues to encourage our firefighters to complete their degrees and obtain national certification as fire officers,” the release said. “He served the Department of Homeland Security as peer reviewer for the national fire grant program and continues to add the use of latest technology to our department to better serve the community. Chief Waldo was also selected for this award by the employees of the Oak Ridge Fire Department.”
Skylar West
New employees
Skylar West
On the same night of the awards reception, two new employees and their families were introduced to the department during their ceremonial swearing-in process, the release said.
One of those new employees, Skylar West, comes to the Oak Ridge Fire Department from Scott County, where he was born and raised. West attended Tusculum College on a football scholarship, where he graduated with a degree in sports medicine. He just completed the 10-week, 400-hour Fire Training Academy in Middle Tennessee and began his first 24-hour shift last week assigned to A-Shift.
Wes Horton
Wes Horton
Wes Horton is an Oak Ridge native who graduated from EMT-IV school in Middle Tennessee last year and was working for Morgan County Ambulance Service and part time for the Tennessee Division of Forestry as a wildland firefighter. Horton is a volunteer firefighter with the Marlow Fire Department and is in the process of completing his Level I firefighter examination. Horton also began his first 24-hour shift last week assigned to C-Shift.
For more information contact the Oak Ridge Fire Department at (865) 425-3520 or visit www.oakridgetn.gov.
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