Veach earns top firefighter award at annual banquet

Big Arm firefighter Jeff Veach was awarded Firefighter of the Year at the recent Polson Rural Fire District firefighter appreciation banquet.

Matt Doughtery was awarded the Fire Chief’s award for his overall contributions to the department and fire district. The volunteer with the most training hours went to Jack Clapp who put in 181.5 hours,

About 55 people attended the banquet, including the firefighters and their families. Also in attendance were members of the Rural Fire District Board, Fred Nelson, Dick Wunderlich and secretary Bonnie Maniecki along with their spouses. Polson City Fire Chief Clint Cottle, Lake County Commissioner Bill Baron and their respective spouses were also present.

Chief Gordon Gieser gave high praise and gratitude for the firefighters and the many hours of volunteer time they put in to the Rural District department. Over the past year, the department

responded to 211 calls. The chief also pointed out that the community was better served by the fast response time with which calls were handled.