Top 10 Responders: (front from left); Dustin Harris, Brad Wheeler, Aaron Greene, Duanne Todd. Back row (from left); Wade Courter, Kelsey Weiss, Brad Dillan, Parker Dillan, Rick Elliot and Doug Mitchell. Not pictured, Mike Rowley.
Winners of the Awards voted on by the department are as follows: (l-r); Lineman of the Year, Aaron Greene, Bob Allen Firefighter of the Year Wade Courter, Driver of the Year, Duane Todd, Officer of the Year, Kelsey Weiss and Bob Allen Firefighter of the year Dustin Harris.
Imperial Volunteer Fire Department holds awards banquet
By Alan Carman
The Imperial Republican
The Imperial Volunteer Fire Dept. held their annual awards banquet on March 7, 2025. Awards that are voted on by the members of the IVFD are; Bob Allen Firefighter of the Year, Officer of the Year, Lineman of the Year and Driver of the Year.
Additional awards include the Francis Nichols Memorial Attendance Award, which is based on the total number of attendances and The Francis Nichols Memorial Training Award, which is based on the total number of training hours attained throughout the year.
The Department also recognizes years of service in increments of five years. Additionally, the top ten members of IVFD who responded to the most calls are recognized as the top 10 Responders. This year there were 11 recognized due to a tie.
In 2024, IVFD responded to 61 calls, 17 city and 44 rural calls. They also responded to nine mutual aid requests from surrounding departments.
The total volunteer hours spent on calls was 1179 hours, with another 848 hours dedicated to training.
2024 Officers were as follows: Chief Doug Mitchell, Asst. Chief Brad Wheeler, 1st. Asst. Chief Kelsey Weiss, 1st Lieutenant Rick Elliot, 2nd Lieutenant Greg Dannatt, President Aaron Greene, Vice President Scott Wheeler, Treasurer Marissa DiRocco-Smith, Secretary Dustin Harris and Sargeant of Arms Parker Dillan.
IVFD expressed thanks to members of the community for their continued support aiding the department to continue a reputation of a strong and successful department. They thanked their employers for allowing them to leave work at a moments notice on any given day.
The members also thanked the Rural Board and the City of Imperial, as well as the IVFD Auxiliary, Chase County Sheriff’s Office, Imperial Police Dept., Chase County Emergency Mgmt., and the Imperial EMS.
The members of the IVFD expressed appreciation for the assistance of the local governments, boards, offices, organizations and departments in continuing to serve the community.