Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue honors members at annual awards banquet

Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue held its annual awards banquet to recognize career and volunteer members for years of service and to name top responders and firefighters of the year.

Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue held its annual awards banquet to recognize career and volunteer members for contributions over the past year. The event serves as a yearly occasion for the district to reflect on 2025 activity and honor service milestones. The district provides fire suppression and emergency medical services to about 9,500 people across 85 square miles outside Port Angeles. Awards highlighted training, long service, and high call response among both career and volunteer personnel. Recognitions and milestones: - Teresa DeRousie was honored for 15 years of service, served as lead instructor for the district's first aid/CPR program, and left the district in October to focus on family and other pursuits. - Service anniversaries included Kate Haworth (5 years); Captain/Paramedic Ian Brueckner and Lieutenant/EMT Nathan Hagaman (10 years); Zach Gear (15 years); and Troy Tisdale and Fire Commissioner Steve Hopf (25 years). Hopf was recognized for service as both a commissioner and a volunteer firefighter. - Captain Kevin Thompson and firefighter/EMT Brett Strid were named Top Responders after answering about 12% (256 calls) and 11% (231 calls) respectively of the district's nearly 2,100 calls in 2025. - Brett Strid was also named Volunteer Firefighter of the Year and completed driver/operator qualification for water tenders. - Firefighter/EMT Brock Tejeda was named Volunteer EMT of the Year and was a top responder despite spending much of the summer working as a state wildland firefighter. - Firefighter/Paramedic Gary Arbuckle was named Career Firefighter of the Year for teaching EMS drills, evaluating EMS and fire testing, supporting the local fire academy, and leading efforts to restart the district's Fire Explorer program. Summary: The banquet underscored long-term service, volunteer contributions, and high call response across the district. It also highlighted training and leadership initiatives, including efforts to restart the Fire Explorer program led by Gary Arbuckle. Other plans remain undetermined at this time.