Firefighters honored and promoted
Fire Chief Steve Laskey, left, Steven Joki, Jordan Turek, Jacob Fondriest, Maria Boswell, Ross Gardner, Colin Trout and Andrew Braham.
A promotion ceremony for Strasburg firefighters was held Friday, April 28 in the fire station at 125 Second St. NE.
Seven firefighters/paramedics/emergency medical technicians were honored and promoted during the event. Fire Chief Steve Laskey introduced each honoree and spoke of their achievements.
Each of the honorees submitted a letter of intent and was interviewed by a panel interview assessment center and two outside fire chiefs.
Mayor Steve Smith administered the oath of office to the following:
—Steven Joki, Strasburg assistant fire chief.
—Jordon Turek, Strasburg fire captain, also training to be a fire inspector.
—Jacob Fondriest, Strasburg fire captain.
—Maria Boswell, Strasburg fire captain.
—Ross Gardner, Strasburg fire lieutenant, also training to be a fire inspector.
—Colin Trout, Strasburg fire lieutenant.
—Andrew Braham, Strasburg fire lieutenant.
Family members pinned badges on the recipients.
Joki, Turek, Boswell and Fondriest are paramedics/EMTs. Gardner, Trout and Braham are EMTs, and all seven are firefighters.
In May 2022 the fire department became a full-time department, staffed with part-time individuals. In November 2021 a levy was approved by voters in the village and Franklin Township to establish a full-time department. It is a 24/7 operation, and currently there are 27 members serving on the fire department. Of the 20 firefighters who were previously on the department prior to becoming full-time, 14 still serve on the department.
Recently, a resident gave a donation of $84,000 to the fire department. With those funds turnout gear was purchased and the chief’s vehicle and a fire engine were wrapped in orange and black markings.
About 40 attended the ceremony along with council members Kathy Burrier (safety chairperson), Dustin Briggs and Jeff Smith. Council persons Liz Dreher and Don Wallick were unable to attend.