January 17, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
The 2020 Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital Volunteer Firefighter of the Year is Steve Repasy, Station Commander of the Midway Station.
Repasy, who also claimed the award in 2018 and 2019, was honored Saturday night during the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department’s Annual Awards Program which was held in a virtual platform this year due to COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Dusty Johnson Three-repeated as the Liberty State Bank Officer of the Year and Lieutenant Blake Cantrell was selected to receive the Allen’s Allstars “Git R Done” Award. The DeKalb Telephone Cooperative (DTC) Rookie of the Year Award went to Jordan Lader of the Johnson’s Chapel Station and the Liberty Station received the FirstBank Station of the Year award.
Wilson Bank & Trust was the headlining sponsor of the banquet.
Repasy’s award was presented by Lieutenant Blake Cantrell.
In making the presentation, Cantrell said Repasy was selected from firefighters demonstrating excellence in training participation, incident response, and community service.
“Steve is willing to take on any project with a positive attitude. Whether it’s a work session, fire prevention/safety event, fundraiser, training, or fire call, you will see him there from start to finish. He does so much work behind the scenes that keeps our department running smoothly. As for his community service, Steve is very active in the Red Cross, the Smithville Lions Club, and Habitat for Humanity. He volunteers his time and skills to build wheelchair ramps, and reading to children at the library. DeKalb County Fire Department attempts to recognize firefighters who reflect a positive image of commitment and sacrifice to the department and our communities,” said Lt. Cantrell.
Walmart Length of Service Awards were presented to the following firefighters:
Five Years: Justin Bass of the Main Station, Lieutenant Blake Cantrell, Aaron Haggard of the Keltonburg Station, and Caleb Haggard of the Short Mountain Station
Ten Years: Andy Pack of the Belk Station
Twenty Years: Captain Jay Cantrell and Anthony Johnson of the Liberty Station
Forty Five Years: Wilson Williams of the Liberty Station
Captain Michael Lawrence presented Safe Industries Training Achievement Awards.
Members achieving 100% training attendance were: Charles Adcock, Brady Anderson, Dan Bradam, Vicki Bradam, Bill Brown, Lt. Blake Cantrell, Joshua Davis, Erick Dodd, Tim Graul, Chief Donny Green, Alyssa Harvey, Andrew Harvey, Donnie Johnson, Lt. Dusty Johnson, Capt. Michael Lawrence, Cindy Nixon, Andy Pack, Shawn Puckett, Brent Reed, Brittany Reed, Steve Repasy, Robert Sartin, Peyton Taylor, Capt. Brian Williams.
Members achieving 75% training attendance were: Matt Adcock, Justin Bass, Asst. Chief Anthony Boyd, Sandra Caffee, Capt. Jay Cantrell, Kim Cantrell, Gelasion “Marco” Chacon, Luke Green, Anthony Johnson, Jordan Lader, Harley Lawrence, Steven Lawrence, Tony Moore, Billy Parker, Cheyenne Phalin, and Stevie Powers.