The Marthasville Volunteer Fire Department held its annual awards celebration Saturday, March 2, at St. Ignatius Community Center.For his dedication and excellent performance, firefighter Michael Day was awarded the 2018 Firefighter of the Year award.Each year, Marthasville firefighters vote for the person they believe made the most contributions of time and commitment the previous year. According to Assistant Fire Chief Sean Johnson, Day is known to go “over and beyond his duties in and outside the station.”“He attends nearly every training and public relations event we have,” said Johnson. “He is dependable and shows the example of boots on the ground.”Recognized for five years of service were firefighter/engineer Caiden Thies and Johnson. Scott Powell, firefighter and paramedic, was recognized for 10 years and Jamie Faust, firefighter and EMT, for 15 years.Derik Roloff was awarded first place for top responder with 132 calls. Second place went to Johnson with 130 calls and Eric Korte with 101 calls. Ken Eddens received the Appreciation of Service Award.Bob Koch, district board member earned the Chief’s Award. Koch has helped the department establish excellent fire prevention programs in area schools since 1992.The Katy Land Trust received the Show Me Hydrant award for its support of the fire department at its local events at Peers Store and Treloar Mercantile. Dan and Connie Burkhardt provide the food for the barbecue at the events and the profits go directly to the fire department. Norman and Gina Hellebusch were there to accept the citizens service award for the Burkhardts.Four firefighters were promoted to engineer. Each took their oath and were pinned by family members. They include Thies, Tyler Pruessner, Willy Irwin and George Guevara. All four are qualified to operate all department equipment and have fulfilled department training.The public will be asked to vote on Proposition F to support the building of a new fire station and the purchase of equipment on April 2.Town meetings will be held on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. March 7 at the Marthasville Station 1; March 14 at the Treloar Station 2; and March 21 at Dutzow Station 3.For more information about the department or about Proposition F, visit www.marthasvillefire.org.

Michel Day was awarded 2018 Firefighter of the Year Saturday, March 2, at the department’s annual banquet. Each year, department members vote for the person they believe contributed the most time and commitment both on calls, in the station working on equipment, and at public events. Pictured from left are Fire Chief Jeff Backhaus, Day and Asst. Fire Chief Sean Johnson.

Record Photo/Cindy Gladden

Firefighter and EMT Jamie Faust was recognized for 15 years of service to the Marthasville Volunteer Fire Department Saturday, March 2 during the department’s annual award ceremony. Pictured, from left, are Faust and Chief Jeff Backhaus.

Record Photo/Cindy Gladden

Three Marthasville volunteer firefighters were recognized for the amount of calls during an awards ceremony Saturday, March 2. Derik Roloff responded to 132; Sean Johnson, 130; and Eric Korte, 101.

Record Photo/Cindy Gladden

Four Marthasville volunteer firefighters earned the title of engineer and were pinned Saturday, March 2, during the department’s annual awards banquet. From left are Chief Jeff Backhaus, Caiden Thies, Tyler Pruessner, Willy Irwin, George Guevara and Assistant Chief Sean Johnson.

Record photo/Cindy Gladden

The Katy Land Trust was awarded the Show Me Hydrant for its continued support of the Marthasville Volunteer Fire Department. Dan and Connie Burkhardt partner with the department at events held at Peers Store and the Treloar Mercantile. The department brings its equipment and cooks the barbecue provided by the Land Trust. All proceeds are donated to the department. Accepting the award were Gina and Norman Hellebusch. Standing with them are Chief Jeff Backhaus, left, and Caiden Thies.

Record Photo/Cindy Gladden