January 17, 2025
By: Dwayne Page
Make it nine!
During Thursday night’s annual appreciation dinner for city firefighters, the late Smithville Volunteer Firefighter and Deputy Chief Hoyte Hale was posthumously honored with the “Robert Eller Highest Attendance Award” as a volunteer. Hale, whose service with the department spanned 40 years, died unexpectedly on Sunday, September 29. It was the ninth time Hale had earned this honor, named in tribute to the late Robert Eller, who served the Smithville Fire Department as a member and assistant chief for 64 years until his death in 2009. The award goes to the volunteer who responds to the most incidents during the year. Although Hale passed away nine months into the year 2024, Fire Chief Charlie Parker said Hale still earned the honor for having attended more fire department incidents, trainings, and events over any other department member.
Hale’s sons and daughter in law, Devin and Quentin Hale and Myrie received the award Thursday night, presented by Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker and Hale’s successor as Deputy Chief Jeff Wright.
“We can’t say enough about Hoyte,” said Chief Parker. “We have had a hard time adjusting to his passing, each one of us in our own way. It has affected our department, not just for the members but the way we operate and do things. We didn’t realize how much to start with but since going to a few fire calls and meetings, we have really started seeing the impact Hoyte had on our department. We always counted on Hoyte to be there. If we had a house fire Hoyte was always there. We want his family to understand how much Hoyte meant to the Smithville Fire Department and the citizens of Smithville,” said Chief Parker.
Meanwhile Dalton Roberts received the “Robert Eller Award” for attending the most incidents, trainings, workings, and events as a career (paid) firefighter. Roberts also received the career training award for having put in 135 training hours, the most of any other career firefighter. In addition, Roberts claimed the first ever” Hoyte Hale Firefighter of the Year” award given to the firefighter who goes above and beyond to help others and better the department. This award was presented to Roberts by the department and members of Hale’s family.
“When Hoyte passed away we wanted to do something to honor him so we are starting the “Hoyte Hale Award”. “This award is in honor of Hoyte for his 40 years of dedication and service to the Smithville Fire Department. This award is to recognize a firefighter who goes the extra effort, extra step, to help others, to help our department grow and help our community to be better,” said Chief Parker.
The top training award for a volunteer went to Joseph Taylor, who also put in 135 training hours.
Chief Parker presented a 50-year lifetime service award to William “Wink” Brown, who has been a volunteer with the Smithville Fire Department for 27 years but has dedicated his life and service to fire departments here and other places for 50 years.
“I started in 1974 with the Williamson County Rescue Squad, “said Brown. “In 1987 I started the Arrington Fire Department. Two years into that I spent 12 years on the State Fire Fighting Commission, and I joined here in 1998,” said Brown.
Chief Parker recognized member Mark Riggsee for his service to the department.
The Smithville Fire Department is made up of four career (full time paid firefighters) including Chief Charlie Parker, Dalton Roberts, Glenn Lattimore, and Ryan Evans along with almost 30 volunteers. Members of the department were recognized and presented certificates for their years of service.
Chief Parker highlighted several fire department achievements during the year including Dalton Roberts’ having received his EMT certification. Sean Hatch also earned his EMT certification and completed his basic fire training. Seth Wright became certified as an instructor and John Poss and Dalton Roberts earned their FF1 Fire Commission certification. Chief Parker said the department as a whole responded to 249 incidents and there were 54 trainings and 8 events involving the department.
A badge pinning ceremony was observed for members Jeff Wright, promoted to Deputy Chief and to firefighters Jayden Mitchell, Max Lahoda, Daine Powell, Joseph Taylor, Mackenley Turner, and Ryan Evans.