South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue holds annual awards ceremony

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - During Thursday's annual South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue's annual awards ceremony, seven were honored for their milestones in length of service, three were given special citizen's awards and another four were given the dispatcher, firefighter and meritorious awards.

Award Winners

Engineer Paramedic Mike Taormina was given the Firefighter of the Year award

Melissa Dube was given the Dispatcher of the Year award

Captain Leslie Asbury and Battalion Chief Karl Koeppen were given the Fire Chief Meritorious awards

Chris McLean, Aaron Skinner, and Thomas Chaney were all given the special citizen's awards for their bravery and quick thinking during a June 10 structure fire on San Francisco Avenue. They pulled out the home's occupant and were able to put the fire out before the fire department was able to respond.

Interim Fire Chief Bruce Martin led the evening's festivities by introducing the department's new hires (four have completed probation and three are just starting) and announcing the new babies over the past year for four firefighters as well as one marriage.

Years of Service Awards

Battalion Chief Karl Koeppen - 20 years
Administrative Assistant Sallie Ross - 15 years
Engineer Jody Benavidez - 10 years
Engineer Holt Cawelti - 10 years
Captain Justin Keys - 10 years
Firefighter Dustin Winter - 5 years
Firefighter Danny Vallejo - 5 years

Also honored was retired Fire Chief Jeff Meston.

The evening's ceremony was held at City Hall with a private catered party for the families following at South Lake Brewing Co.