January 17, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
A member of the Liberty Station has won the DeKalb County Fire Department’s most coveted award.
Andrew Harvey is the 2021 Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital Volunteer Firefighter of the Year.
Harvey was honored Saturday night during the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department’s Annual Awards Program which was held in a virtual platform this year due to COVID-19. Wilson Bank & Trust was the headlining sponsor of the program.
Meanwhile, Captain Brian Williams was recognized as the Liberty State Bank Officer of the Year and Steve Repasy, Midway Station Commander was selected to receive the Allen’s Allstars “Git R Done” Award. The DeKalb Telephone Cooperative (DTC) Rookie of the Year Award went to Alyssa Harvey of the Liberty Station and the Liberty Station repeated as the FirstBank Station of the Year award winner.
Andrew Harvey’s award was presented by Assistant County Fire Chief Anthony Boyd.
In making the presentation, Boyd said Harvey was selected from firefighters demonstrating excellence in training participation, incident response, and community service.
“Andrew excelled in all considerations used to evaluate the worthiness of earning this award. For 2021 Andrew made 100% of his monthly training, completed other outside training courses, and is among the most active in incident responses. He always has a positive can-do attitude whether it is a work session, fire prevention safety event, fundraiser, training, or fire call. You will see him there with a big smile on his face. He consistently takes new firefighters under his wing and helps them learn skills while welcoming them to the team. Andrew has dedicated many hours assisting lead instructors with recruit classes. As for Andrew’s community service, he is very active with the DeKalb Emergency Services Association and volunteers to help provide meals to the needy in our community during Thanksgiving and Christmas. He does not limit his interest to the department. He also has led and supported community efforts to involve himself and station members in projects outside the fire department. Andrew is very passionate and active in fire prevention and safety education in our schools and civic groups. The DeKalb County Fire Department attempts to recognize firefighters who reflect a positive attitude of service to the department and our communities. There is absolutely no doubt Andrew Harvey has earned the honor of being named our 2021 Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Firefighter of the year,” said Assistant Chief Boyd.
(Other stories from the awards program will be posted here later)
The following are Community Fire Station Sponsors: Four Seasons Community, Kilgore’s Restaurant, McElroy Land Management, LLC, DeKalb County Insurance, DeKalb Funeral Chapel, Rockwall Farms, The Barn at Triple Creek Farm, Hillcrest Restaurant, and Mountain Harbour Property Owners Association
The following are community partners: Local Red Cross representatives, WJLE Radio Station, Smithville Review Newspaper, Tennessee Division of Forestry, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, DeKalb County 911, Smithville/DeKalb County Rescue Squad, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, DeKalb County EMS, City of Smithville Fire Department, City of Alexandria Fire Department, Mayor Tim Stribling and his office staff, and the DeKalb County Commission.