GRAVETTE -- The Gravette Fire Department held its annual awards banquet and holiday party on Friday, Jan. 6, at the Gravette Civic Center. Members of the department were recognized for their achievements and presented certificates by Fire Chief David Orr.
Firefighter Dale Wallis received an award for Rookie of the Year. He also received the Responder of the Year award, given to the person who has responded to the greatest number of calls for service. Wallis has been a volunteer with the department since June 2022 and recently graduated from an emergency medical technician course. He will soon be a certified EMT.
Firefighter Ryan McDowell received the Firefighter of the Year award. This award is voted on by the department's officers and is presented to the person who has put in extra effort and stood out to the officers as an exemplary firefighter. McDowell has been a volunteer with the department since April 2021.
Volunteer firefighters Dee Walker and Tom Scantlin were both presented an award for the most training hours. These hours were accrued through training taken in the classroom, online and through self-study. Walker has been with the department since October 2018, and Scantlin since November 2021.
Firefighter Jeff Brewer was presented an ax in honor of his retirement from the Gravette Fire Department. Brewer has served the department as a volunteer since July 2013, and Chief Orr noted Brewer has risked his life for total strangers and thanked him for his years of service.
Captain Brad Harris received an award for Officer of the Year. This award was selected by Chief Orr and presented to Harris for going above and beyond expectations, especially related to coordinating and delivering the Firefighter I and II classes held over the summer. Harris has been with the department for almost five years and was promoted to captain in 2022. Harris was unable to attend the banquet.
Gravette Fire Department is a combination department comprised of full-time, part-time, and volunteer firefighters providing fire protection service to a 57-square-mile response area.
Submitted photo
Gravette fire chief David Orr (right) shakes the hand of Dale Wallis after presenting him the award as Rookie of the Year for Gravette Fire Department. Wallis also received the award for Responder of the Year, given to the firefighter who has responded to the most calls for service during the year. He has been with the department since June 2022.
Submitted photo
Gravette fire chief David Orr (right) shakes the hand of firefighter Dee Walker after presenting him an award for the most training hours for the department. Walker and Tom Scantlin both received the award for hours accumulated in the classroom, online and through self-study. Walker has been with the department since October 2018.
Submitted photo
Gravette fire chief David Orr (right) shakes the hand of Jeff Brewer after presenting him an ax upon his retirement from Gravette Fire Department. Orr thanked Brewer for his service and noted he had risked his life for total strangers. Brewer has served as a volunteer with the department since July 2013.
Submitted photo
Gravette fire chief David Orr (left) shakes the hand of Ryan McDowell after presenting him the Firefighter of the Year award for Gravette Fire Department. McDowell's award, voted on by the department's officers, was given for putting in extra effort and standing out as an exemplary firefighter. He has been with the department since April 2021.