Fire district honors volunteers

The Cloverdale Volunteer Fire Fighters Association banquet was held Saturday, March 12, at the Sisters Rodeo Clubhouse to honor the volunteers and members for their dedication and service. Fire Chief Thad Olsen and Training Officer Michael Valoppi spent most of the evening speaking of the fire district volunteers who served their neighbors of the district in the year of 2015. Lt. Clinton Weaver was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award. Spencer Cashwell, an officer trainee, was awarded the Deputy Chief John Thomas award, for his dedication and commitment to the fire district. Firefighter Derrick Clark, one of the newest firefighters in Cloverdale, was voted as Rookie of the Year. One of the highlights of the evening was when Holly Rose Davis, of Sisters, a leukemia survivor, presented awards to the Cloverdale members of the Sisters Country firefighters team, who helped raise over $26,000 for the Scott Firefighter Stair Climb which benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Tom Barrier, a past volunteer and board member, was given the Don Johnson Award for Community Service, for his role in the fire district as well as the time spent working with veterans in Sisters Band of Brothers. Cloverdale Board of Directors President Jerry Johnson received recognition for his five years of service to the board. Officer Trainee Spencer Cashwell and Firefighter Josh Rodke both received a letter of commendation for spending an hour and a half of their time - in freezing temperatures - trying to repair a water line that a community member was working on, just before being transported to the hospital with a cardiac event. Lt. Clinton Weaver also received a letter of commendation for his over 300 hours volunteered in developing the district's new fire engines, which should arrive in the district within the next two months. Firefighters Sam Seller and Jesse Gardner received certificates for their five years of service. And Firefighter John Downs was awarded for 100 percent attendance at weekly fire drills. "Many of [the] constituents of the district do not realize that we are a mostly volunteer organization, with only two paid personnel," Chief Olsen commented. "We thank all of our community neighbors for their support, not only of the bond measure, providing much-needed upgrades to apparatus and stations, but their constant support of our volunteers who are providing the best service, with pride, for their friends and neighbors."