SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP, OH (WLIO) - Shawnee Township celebrated their firefighters of the past and present for everything they've done to protect the community.
The Shawnee Township Fire Department held a banquet on Sunday to pay tribute to former chiefs, long-tenured firefighters, and retirees. This year, they honored volunteer firefighters Kevin Mayer, Allen Behnke, and Battalion Chief John Norris, who were presented with their helmets in recognition of their retirements after decades of service. They also took the opportunity to thank the family members of their firefighters for all that they go through.
"Everyone sees the first responders out there doing the work, but they don't recognize the families at home. The ones that get left for Christmas dinners, the ones that are worried at home when their first responders are out doing the work. So I really want to take time to honor them tonight too; they deserve the recognition," explains Fire Chief Austin Miller.
The department also gave out the Firefighter of the Year award to one individual who has made a great impact in the Shawnee community.
"The Firefighter of the Year is Matthew Reaman. He is our fire prevention officer, and he's fantastic. He comes to work every day; he puts in extra hours. He's big in fire prevention, getting in the schools. He goes above and beyond. He is the true definition of Firefighter of the Year," Miller said of this year's awardee.
Reaman has been with the Shawnee Township Fire Department since 2010.
