The Cordova Volunteer Fire Department honored its own on Feb. 10, for hours, quality of service and years of dedication.
But before the annual CVFD awards banquet festivities began at the Powder House, the department performed a Call to Order for those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.
The room was silent as firefighters around the room read the name and rank of their fallen brothers from the New York City Fire Department.
Firefighter Whitney Bourdess concluded the commemoration by toning the bell, with the tone 3-4-3, in honor of the 343 fallen officers.
After a moment of silence, the room slowly filled with the sound of chatter and celebration.
“In order to do (our job), we have to work as a team, as a family,” Cordova firefighter and EMT Cody Handley said. “It’s something that we take very seriously.”
Handley, 22, was awarded the Kent Thelen award, named after a longtime volunteer who served with CVFD from 1999 until his passing in 2009 from brain cancer. The award goes to a CVFD member who does volunteer work within the community outside the department; and demonstrates selfless commitment.
“It was something I was definitely not expecting,” he said. “It means a lot.”
Handley frequently volunteers his free time to work maintenance, check supplies and work standby during the high school basketball games.
“I would do this every single day,” he said smiling, noting that he hopes to continue giving back to the community.
The CVFD is comprised of an array of members, ranging in age and experience. Whitney Bourdess, 17, is the department’s youngest member having served with them for less than a year while Richard Groff, 82, has been with the CVFD for 43 years, beginning in 1974.
Michael Galambush received a standing ovation upon accepting his 30 Years’ Service award as he humbly made his way to the podium through a round of applause.
Galambush joined the CVFD in 1988 as a firefighter and was assigned to Engine 2. He had previous experience with the Crash Fire Rescue department at mile 13 airport from 1980 to 1981. He completed Firefighter 1 training and was certified as a Firefighter 1 in 1989. Shortly after that, Mike became the engineer on Engine 2 and remained in that position until Engine 3 arrived in 2002.
Galambush has trained hundreds of firefighters on everything from fire streams and pump operations to self-contained breathing apparatus’.
“He is one of the most reliable people I know and has helped out on numerous occasions over the years filling in as an ambulance driver when the crew is shorthanded,” Chief of Police Mike Hicks said.
Susan Farzan, who joined the CVFD in 2002, was awarded the 15 Years’ Service award.
She has an extensive background as a wild land firefighter, became an emergency trauma technician in 2004, and in 2007 she completed the 160-hour state firefighter 1 program, receiving training in weapons of mass destruction and nuclear awareness.
Farzan also received a commendation for her performance in response to the Humpback Creek power plant fire in Dec. 2005.
Renee Lindow received the 10 Years’ Service award, plus a lifesaving award and letter of commendation for her part in response to an elderly patient who was in cardiac arrest.
“Your ability to keep a cool head, focus on your training and follow instructions during a very stressful situation directly resulted in the saving of a human life,” Hicks said, reading the Letter of Commendation.
“Your unwavering dedication, devotion to duty, and professionalism is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Volunteer Fire and EMS Service.”
Lindow joined the department in 2008 as a medic and has extensive background in emergency services including; HAZMAT training, EMT 2, advanced open-water dive rating and was a 9-1-1 dispatcher in Soldotna.
Mark Heidbrink received the 5 Years’ Service award. He joined CVFD in Nov. 2013.
“He brought many qualifications with him when he joined,” Chief Hicks said. “Mark is a rescue diver, State of Alaska Firefighter 2, EMT 2, and is certified as an operational Hazmat responder.
The night included a nostalgic slideshow, with photographs from the past year displayed on the screen, prompting the crowd to occasionally laugh and point out photographs to friends and family.
The CVFD performed 117 ambulance runs and 61 fire runs in 2017.
All police officers, firefights and medics are now trained in the use of NARCAN to reverse opioid overdoses. “We have successfully used it three times since receiving the training in August,” Chief Hicks said.
The department responded to 180 calls for fire, rescue and EMS for a total of 6,032-member hours, said Hicks.
In addition, the on-call volunteer fire officers and on-call EMS members provided more than 34,000 hours of on-call service to the community, he added.
Senior Staff members
- Deputy Chief Rob Mattson
- Safety Officer Richard Groff
- Secretary Kara Johnson
- Treasurer Katherine Meade
- Department Historian Sue Farzan
Engine Company 2 (Responsible for fire suppression)
- Commanded by Captain Paul Trumblee
- Engineer Jerry LeMaster
- FF Dustin Solberg
- FF Lloyd Belgarde
- FF Cathy Renfeldt
- FF Les Bourdess.
Engine Company 3 (Responsible for fire suppression)
- Commanded by Captain Jason Perkins
- Engineer Mike Galambush
- FF Whitney Bourdess
- FF Chatham Warga
- FF Kasey Kinsman
- FF Mark Heidbrink
Rescue Company 1 (Responsible for Ventilation, Interior Search and Rescue, Rapid intervention, Ventilation, Vehicle Extrication and Heavy Rescue, and Hazardous Materials Response)
- Commanded by Captain Dana Smyke
- Micah Renfeldt
- FF Cody Handley
- FF Mark Meredith
- FF Stephen Phillips
- FF James Thorne
Medic 7 and 8 (Responsible for All Emergency Medical Service functions including treatment and mass casualty response)
- Commanded by Captain Joanie Behrends
- James Thorne.
- This company is the largest in the department and has many members that carry a dual role as firefighter as well. They are sponsored by Dr. Gary Van Winkle, who helps to train and evaluate the responses to ensure that Cordovans are getting the best possible care in the field and in the emergency room. The members of this company that are strictly medical personal are; Joanie Behrends, Jim Fritch, Kara Johnson, Katherine Mead, Carolyn Roesbery, Rheo Reoroma, Andrea Whitcomb, Tanya Harrison, Jayleene Garrett, Neil Durco, Taylor Kimbarow, Debra Ethier, and Becki Shipman.
Awards
- First place in the state EMT skills competition – Katherine Mead
- 200 Club
- Jayleene Garrett, 357
- Stephen Phillips, 346
- James Thorne, 316
- Micah Renfeldt, 313
- Kara Johnson, 286
- Katherine Mead, 276
- Carolyn Roesbery, 211
- Taylor Kimbarow, 208
- Joanie Behrends, 202
Tenure Awards
- Mark Heidebrink – 5 Years
- Renee Lindow – 10 Years
- Sue Farzan – 15 Years
- Mike Galambush – 30 Years
Kent Thelen Award
- Cody Handley
