Funk honored

— GARFIELD - Richard Funk was awarded Firefighter of the Year as firefighters, retired firemen, Northeast Benton County Volunteer Fire/ EMS Department board members and their families were on hand Sunday, Dec. 4, for annual Firefighter Appreciation Luncheon in the Community Room. A buffet luncheon was provided by NEBCO with over 85 in attendance for the event.

In presenting Funk with the award, Fire Chief Rob Taylor cited Funk’s “hard work, extra time spent helping on projects and his passion for department.”

Funk said: “I’m humbled by this award, but this award is not something that one person does, it takes us all to be NEBCO,” as he said several from his station No. 2 groupand the boat crew had helped him to become more involved with the department.

The program was led by Kara Funk, NEBCO board chairman with the blessing being offered by Chris Jones, also a NEBCO member. A full Christmas menu of turkey and dressing was made available in the buffet line. Taylor praised “all the things that this department has done this year, everyone in here has done a tremendous job for NEBCO.”

With that presentation out of the way a second award was bestowed on Funk by the other members of the station No. 2 crew, “The Unluckest Firefighter of The Year” for his questionable driving skills. Thepresenters included: Jeff Henry, Nick Mason, Andy Driggs and Corey Cannon with a plaque layered with debris left behind at some if Funk’s unlucky moments.

Over two dozen door prizes were given out during the afternoon affair, plus Taylor received a special musical present from Ruthann Cobb, an child sized accordian that Taylor had found at the Turkey Shoot auction held in the fall.

Funk was chosen selected by a vote of his fellow firefighters. He is assigned to the fireboat crew, fire Station No. 2 and is an active emergency medical technician. He also assists Taylor and the NEBCO Board of Directors with policy development and emergency services grant writing.

News, Pages 1 on 12/08/2010