GLENDALE, Ariz. –The Glendale Fire Department has named Engineer Paramedic Ron Hart as its Firefighter of the Year for 2008.  The announcement came Thursday, March 5th, during the Glendale Fire Department’s 22st Annual Awards Ceremony.

Engineer Hart, a six year veteran, was nominated for his dedication as a mentor by his peers. Part of his nomination read: “Ron has been involved in several different areas of our fire department. He is the Commander of our Honor Guard. He is also an active mentor to new medic students as well as probationary firefighters. Most, if not all, of what he does is without compensation. Ron is a great representative of the Glendale Fire Department,” the nomination continued.

Congratulation Engineer Hart on the well deserved title of Glendale Fire Department’s 2008 Firefighter of the Year!

Other awards given at the department’s 22st Annual Awards Banquet;

• Service Award: Captain Mark Mann and Captain Pat Martin
• Service Award (Non-Sworn): Chaplain Raul Ochoa
• Chief Don Heatwole Award: Assistant Fire Marshal Debra Oso
• Fire Chief’s Award: Deputy Chief Pat Berkel
• Community Service Award: Battalion Chief Gary Benson
• Professional Service Award – EMS: Engine 153- B Shift, Captain Rob Tutrone, Engineer Jason Zeller, Firefighter Brian Triggs and Firefighter Jim Robinson
• Fire Pal of the Year Award: Firefighter Adam Pottle
• Crisis Response Volunteer of the Year Award: Esther Gillett
• Glendale Volunteer Fire Cadets of the Year Award: Cadets Eddie Villa and Josh Slagle
• Glendale Fire Safety Educator of the Year: Angela Cabagnaro
• Fire Marshal’s Professional Excellence Award: Assistant Fire Marshal Larry Randall
• Call of the Year Award: Engine 151- C Shift, Engineer Dave Green, Firefighters Ashley Vandertoorn, Michael Higgins, Adam Pottle and Kyle Port.