Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Pea Ridge firefighters recognized
PEA RIDGE — Good barbecue and fellowship were enjoyed by firefighters and emergency personnel from the Pea Ridge Fire-EMS Department on Dec. 1.
Fire Chief Clint Bowen thanked Mayor Nathan See and the City Council for the support provided to the department. See and his family were present.
“The support they’ve given us this year has been phenomenal,” Bowen said, in thanking the mayor. “I can’t tell you in my position how that’s made this job easier and really helped us get to where we are. Our City Council has been behind us 100%. We couldn’t have asked for a smoother road. They understand what our needs are, we present it to them and they make it happen. We’re so thankful for that.”
“It’s busy,” Bowen said, as he noted that Friday evening, within an hour and a half, there were five ambulance calls. “The more people move in, the busier it gets.”
“There’s a lot of cool stuff going on,” he said, noting various changes and improvements made in the department, including that the department has begun a paramedic program and is helping pay for emergency medical training for personnel.
“We are a combination department — that’s pretty special, pretty unique,” Bowen said, explaining that there are both paid and volunteer firefighters.
“You always have to have a chain of command. That makes it interesting, you have two totally different work forces that work different hours.”
Lieutenants are on the volunteer side and captains are on full-time side.
Three men were recognized for promotions they earned during the year. They were Lt. Tyler Brown, Capt. Aaron Butler and Capt. Kolton Lucas.
Brown is a full-time fire fighter for Bentonville and a volunteer at Pea Ridge.
“He has great leadership skills,” Bowen said of Brown. “We’re so thankful to have him.”
“Most volunteer departments are in trouble right now,” Bowen said, referring to articles in firefighter publications. “People don’t want to volunteer any more… Here in Pea Ridge, it’s unbelievable, since January … there are 25 new volunteers who have signed up. That’s phenomenal. We’re super-excited to have them.”
Bowen praised both Butler and Lucas for their leadership and how well they’ve both taken on the responsibilities given to them.
The awards presented this year were new categories. The two awards were for MVP and Most Improved, Bowen said, explaining that the recipients for the awards were chosen by members of the department.
Ashley Ferris was selected for Most Improved. She was not present. Bowen said her peers voted on her as most improved.
“They have seen such improvement in her over the past six months, obviously it stuck out and they wanted to make sure she was recognized,” Bowen said.
The MVP award was designed to recognize the person who most consistently makes runs and is helpful when on the scene.
He said the Most Improved was created to recognize new hires who learn and progress well.
Jeff Marts was recognized as MVP.
“Jeff has been a great asset. He’s taken some new guys under his wing and taught them a lot. He’s always there and willing to help,” Bowen said.
“The full-time guys always love it when you show up on the scene because they know they’re not the only ones out there working. We appreciate you.”
Bowen also praised John Cottingham, the new city fire inspector as part of the Risk Reduction Division. Cottingham is a retired firefighter from the Bella Vista Fire Department.
“He got everything he needed for inspector 1,” Bowen said, referring to various certifications earned by Cottingham.
Dino Collins, a former interim chief, was thanked and presented a shadow box with an axe, badge and shield. Collins served for more than 25 years.
“He retired this year,” Bowen said. “From 1993 until this year … he served as firefighter and training officer, that’s when I first met him. I came up here when I was 16 or 17, Dino was the first one I met… basically when the fire department needed something, he never said ‘no.’ We do appreciate everything you’ve ever done.”
“This is just a token of what the community probably really owes you,” Bowen said. “We’re really so proud of you.”
Several former firefighters attended and were recognized, including two chiefs — Frank Rizzio and Paul Simpkins — and a retired assistant chief, Dino Collins.
Firefighters and their years of service included Mike Yarberry, 27 years; John Nichols, 23 years; Eldon Jump, 27 years and Paul Simpkins, 21 years.