Clapp earns top firefighter award at annual banquet
Acting Captain Grant Clapp (center) was voted Firefighter of the Year by his peers in the Polson Rural Fire Department and was awarded a commemorative axe. He's flanked by Chief Will Woodger (left) and Deputy Chief Jack Clapp (right).
Firefighter Grant Clapp was awarded Firefighter of the Year at the recent Polson Rural Fire District firefighter appreciation banquet.
Matt Dougherty was awarded the Fire Chief’s award for his overall contributions to the department and the fire district, and Shaun King was named Rookie of the Year for outstanding performance of a firefighter in their first year of service.
About 60 people attended the banquet held at the Mission Valley Elks Lodge, including the firefighters and their families. Also in attendance, Rural Fire District Board Chair Fred Nelson and board secretary Kelley Druyvestein, along with their respective spouses. Lake County Commissioner Gale Decker and his spouse were also present.
Chief Will Woodger, who was hired last August to replace retiring Chief Gordon Gieser, offered high praise and expressed 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 238 calls.
The chief also pointed out that the community was better served by the fast response time with which calls were handled. He also expressed gratitude to the many Polson businesses that donated items and gift certificates that were given to the firefighters in appreciation of all they do for the community.