Vancouver Fire presents 2025 awards for lifesaving, extraordinary efforts
March 25, 2025
On March 12, the Vancouver Fire Department (VFD) celebrated the extraordinary contributions of Vancouver firefighters, City employees, public safety partners and community members at its 2025 Vancouver Fire Awards Ceremony.
“Our dedicated first responders serve our community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, often placing themselves at great risk to do so,” said Chief Brennan Blue. “This annual ceremony allows us to celebrate not only those humble civil servants and public safety partners, but also the essential community heroes whose efforts have helped make Vancouver a safer, more resilient place to live.”
A total of 19 awards were presented to a mix of Vancouver Fire and City employees and community members who went above and beyond to protect and preserve life and property and/or advance the mission of the Fire Department in 2024.
Awardees earned recognition for a variety of exceptional acts, such as the complicated rope rescue of an injured hiker at Beacon Rock, a drowning victim rescue by lifeguards at Firstenburg Community Center pool and the strategic response of Vancouver Fire’s Marine Crew to save a man and his dog from a boat left stranded on the Columbia River during a storm.
Awards and recipients
Life Saving Awards – awarded to citizens or off-duty department employees:
- Firstenburg Community Center lifeguards/staff Camille Wendlandt, Harley Hogan[TB1] , Kendall Lotka, Kevlar Wood, Nelli Slivkov and Sawyer James, lifeguards at east Vancouver’s Firstenburg Community Center were honored for their swift response, compassion and life-saving CPR efforts during a drowning incident at the center’s pool
- Vancouver Police Officers Jesse Stokes and Janell Cusick were honored for their life-saving CPR efforts on a 26-week premature baby who was delivered at home and unresponsive/not breathing.
- Fort Vancouver Regional Library District staff Greg Raquer, Daniel Wornath and Joshua Akers for their life-saving and compassionate response to prevent a person from attempting suicide
Vancouver Fire Department Individual Commendation Award – awarded to employees who make an exceptional contribution to the department:
- Captain Scott Sloan: for leading the VFD Marine Team from 2019 to 2025, including expanding the team, securing 24/7 fireboat staffing, and overseeing major upgrades that made it the most advanced rescue vessel on the Lower Columbia River
- Battalion Chief Shane Orem: for service and expertise on the Region 4 Technical Rescue Team from 2010 to 2025, enhancing rope rescue procedures, standardizing training, expanding extrication capabilities and mentoring new team members
- Captain Scott Woodhouse: for leadership in developing and teaching VFD’s Rescue Swimmer program, creating its training curriculum, securing underwater rescue sonar equipment, and advancing water rescue expertise
- Captain Ian Poulos: for leadership in VFD’s training division, guiding its largest academy, mentoring new members and fostering a culture of continuous improvement
Meritorious Service Award – awarded to employees who distinguish themselves by a display of remarkable action, conduct or achievement that reflects positively upon the department:
- Engineer Paramedic Pennie McCarty – for exceptional leadership and composure during a critical cardiac arrest response
- Paramedics Jacob Conley and Jacob Sawyer– for swift trauma care and compassionate support during a multi-fatality shooting
- Paramedic Christian Jones – for swift, skilled response to a choking emergency, using specialized tools to clear an airway and save a patient’s life
- Captain Dave Sturbelle – for leadership as the Vancouver Fire Department’s Hazmat Team Coordinator, expanding the team, securing advanced training, and enhancing hazmat response capabilities
- Firefighter Kacey Mackman – for advanced technical expertise in challenging circumstances as Stokes litter attendant during a rope rescue on Beacon Rock
- Battalion Chief Shane Orem – for leadership and subject matter expertise as the Rescue Group Supervisor at a rope rescue on Beacon Rock
- Engineer/Paramedic Mike McHugh – for his outstanding technical expertise under challenging circumstances on the cliff’s ledge as lead paramedic during a rope rescue on Beacon Rock
Company Commendation – awarded to VFD companies that distinguish themselves in the performance of their duties or provide an exceptional contribution to the progress of the Department by displaying superior teamwork, or a display of exceptional professional skill and conduct:
- Captain Tony Clary, Pilot Todd Knoeppel, Deck Hand Dave Cooper, Firefighter Joe Gilcrest, Captain John Lawrence, Firefighter Kyle Allpress and Firefighter Aharon Curtis – for their river rescue of a man and his dog during the 2024 “Bomb Cyclone” storm, demonstrating bravery and skill in extreme conditions
- Battalion Chief Nathan Hipple, Captain Scott Woodhouse, Battalion Chief Shane Orem, Engineer Bryan Kenney, Firefighter Nick Helgren and Firefighter Jessica Jackovich – for their critical role in a challenging and dangerous nighttime water rescue near Mount St. Helens
- Battalion Chief Geoff Robbins, Captain Chris McBride, Captain Shane Orem, Captain Scott Woodhouse, Captain Kevin Cummo, Engineer Mike McHugh, Engineer Jeremy Pfaff, Engineer Bryan Kenney, Firefighter Kacey Mackman and Firefighter Matt Hankins – for expert teamwork in rescuing an injured climber from a steep, hazardous cliff at Beacon Rock in Skamania County
- Mackman, McHugh and Battalion Chief Orem also received Meritorious Service Awards for their technical expertise and leadership during the rescue
Certificate of Appreciation – presented to citizens or employees for “Good Samaritan” activities, and/or efforts in support of VFD’s mission:
- Captain Greg Straub, Firefighter Casey Holmes, Captain Casey Johnson and Firefighter Jae Munson – honored for developing and leading the 2024 Deckhand Academy, ensuring seven new members were trained and qualified, enabling 24/7 fireboat staffing and strengthening maritime response
Medal of Valor – awarded to VFD employees who have exhibited exceptional courage to save or protect others from harm, regardless of their personal safety:
- Captain Chris McBride was honored for his courageous leadership and technical expertise in the complex 600-foot rescue at Beacon Rock
Chief’s Achievement Award – Presented by the Chief to an employee who makes an exceptional contribution to VFD and distinguishes themselves in the performance of their duties:
- Fire Chaplain Peter Schrater for his dedication to compassionate care and exceptional service to the citizens of Vancouver and the department – consistently going above and beyond to provide for both exceptional emergency response and comfort of incident victims in crisis
View the full awards ceremony video to learn more about the efforts of each honoree. View and download photos from the ceremony.
Media contact: Captain Raymond Egan, Public Information Coordinator, raymond.egan@cityofvancouver.us