The Hoodland Fire District held its annual banquet on Friday, Jan. 28, at The
Resort at The Mountain to honor its members and accomplishments.
The district responded to 755 calls in 2011, and many hands contributed to
the safety and effectiveness of the responses.

Volunteer firefighter Darrin Diegel received the Firefighter of the Year award,
the highest honor of the night.

“Darrin has dedicated himself a lot to the fire district in the last couple years,”
said District Fire Chief Mic Eby, noting his high percentage of responses while
also going to paramedic school and taking classes to become a fire officer.

“He wants to make a career of it and he’s doing it the right way.”

Meanwhile, staff member Joe Schwab received the Fire Chief’s Above and
Beyond Award for his contributions, including running fire and medical calls,
serving as the station manager during emergency operations and maintaining
the district’s Facebook page.

Cavin Buck earned the EMT of the Year. Eric Macy, Hoodland’s EMS
coordinator, noted Buck worked extremely hard and greatly improved on his
medical skills over the course of the year.

Volunteer firefighter Deborah Sinz took home the Rookie of the Year Award for
her great attitude and her dedication to nighttime responses.

Purdy’s Towing received a special honor for decades of service to the fire
district and drivers on the mountain.