Amador County – Jackson Fire Department saluted two of its firefighters with annual awards Monday during the Jackson City Council meeting. ¶ Jackson Fire Chief Marc Crain announced the winner of the Firefighter of the Year Award and Responder of the Year awards. Crain said the Jackson Fire Department responded to a record 1,215 calls in 2011, so being the top responder and top firefighter were no small accomplishments.

The Fire Fighter of the Year award went to Robert Greathouse, an Emergency Medical Technician and Engineer. Crain said Greathouse is an outstanding fire fighter and spent a lot of extra time training, and serving the city through 2011. A January Fire Department report to the Jackson City Council listed the annual response calls among firefighters. Greathouse responded to 499 calls in 2011.

Crain announced the winner of the David Gardella Memorial Award for the Top Responder, who was James Rice. Rice, an EMT and Firefighter, was on duty with the American Legion Ambulance service on Monday, the night of the award presentations, and could not accept his plaque. The plaque will hang in the Argonaut Station year-round, with his name on it, Crain said. According to the January report, Rice responded to 336 calls in 2011 for the Jackson Fire Department.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.