Three tie for top fireman

Three firefighters from the Pea Ridge Volunteer Fire/EMS Department tied for Firefighter of the Year for 2012, according to Fire Chief Frank Rizzio.

Capt. Josh King, Capt. Brent Rickey and Ryan Walker were named Firefighter of the Year.

Brandon Jones was selected as Top Responder of the Year.

Firefighters and their families were treated to a Christmas banquet recently. Others receiving awards that night included:

◊ Firefighters Justin Collins and Brian Cogdill received their fiveyear pins.

◊ Wade Hayes, Jordan Hayes, Corey Lawson, Bryan McCool and Duane Fletcher recently recieved their First Responder certificates

Rizzio commended the firefighters saying that everyone on the department has done an outstanding job during a challenging year. He said there were a little over 600 callouts for the year to date, and firefighters performed well on each and every call.