Vancouver Fire Department honors firefighters, community members at annual awards ceremony

Vancouver Fire Department honors firefighters, community members at annual awards ceremony

March 18, 2026

On March 11, the Vancouver Fire Department recognized firefighters, City employees and community members for acts of courage, lifesaving care and outstanding service during its annual Vancouver Fire Awards ceremony.

"These awards recognize moments when people chose to act, often in the most difficult and dangerous circumstances," said Fire Chief John "JD" Drake. "Whether it's a firefighter entering cold water to rescue someone, a citizen helping a stranger or a team working through the night during a major incident, these actions reflect the courage, skill and commitment that help keep Vancouver safe."

The department's highest honor, the Medal of Valor, was awarded to Firefighter/Paramedic Jennifer English for her role in a dramatic water rescue at Lacamas Lake in May 2025.

English entered cold, murky water with little visibility to search for a drowning victim. Despite entanglement hazards, she made several rapid free dives. On her fourth dive, she located the victim, brought him to the surface and swam him to shore so crews could begin advanced medical care. Her decisive actions and technical rescue skills gave the victim the best possible chance of survival.

A total of 36 awards across several categories were presented to firefighters, City employees and community members:

Life Saving and Fire Medal Awards

Several citizens, firefighters and public safety partners were recognized for lifesaving actions:

• Kayla Edwards, a dispatcher, and Roberto "Alex" Dennis received the Fire Medal for helping rescue a driver from a burning vehicle after a crash on Interstate 205.
• Brody Walton and off-duty Paramedic John Mosely were honored for rescuing and reviving an eight-year-old child found unresponsive in a swimming pool.
• Ashley Lyon and City Public Works employee Tony Castro used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to revive a construction worker who collapsed from cardiac arrest.
• Captain Jarrod Grahn, Paramedic Josh Lawson and Firefighter Adam Pozsgai revived a three-year-old child who was unresponsive and not breathing.

Chief's Achievement Award

Fire Chief Drake presented the Chief's Achievement Award to Chuck Winkler, supervisor of the department's fleet services team, recognizing 25 years of leadership maintaining the department's engines, ladder trucks, fireboats and specialized vehicles. Winkler's leadership helped ensure emergency apparatus remain ready to respond at all hours.

Meritorious Service Awards

Recognizes firefighters whose actions demonstrate exceptional professionalism and dedication.

• Chaplain Peter Schrater, who provided extensive support to first responders, witnesses and a grieving family after a tragic auto-versus-pedestrian incident involving a father and child.
• Engineer/Paramedic Sam Dickson, who calmly de-escalated a crisis involving a distressed child on the roof of Hollingsworth Academy.

Individual Commendations

Recognize employees whose leadership and work strengthen the department.

• Fire Code Officer Zachary Prine for his commitment to community risk-reduction education and public safety outreach.
• Captains Brandon Werry and Andrey Yelizavetskiy for leadership in the department's training division.
• City Fleet Services Emergency Technician Justin Walker for supporting crews during a prolonged Metro Metals fire by refueling and maintaining apparatus through the night.
• Engineer/Paramedic Casey Holmes for decades of leadership and expertise on the department's Marine Team.

Company Commendations

Recognize teams whose coordinated work led to successful outcomes during complex emergencies.

• The Fire Boat 1 crew: Captain Tony Clary, Pilot Mark Bennett and Deckhand Jake Weyrauch - for leading a river search and rescue during severe winter weather on the Columbia River.
• The Truck 10 crew: Captain Joe Yela, Engineer Jesse Avery, Firefighter Cory Anderson and Paramedic Jennifer English - for their coordinated response to the Lacamas Lake drowning incident.

Certificates of Appreciation

Recognize employees whose work strengthens department programs or community safety.

• Paramedic Shawn Zupfer and Emergency Medical Technician Aidan Schrater, who revived a cardiac arrest patient while working alone in the back of an ambulance.
• Captain Paramedic Raymond Egan, Captain Paramedic Kady Mercer, Engineer Paramedic Tighe Vroman, Engineer Paramedic Ben Burtle, Engineer Paramedic Kevin Wilson and Battalion Chief Ryan Morrisey for developing a new advanced airway training program for department paramedics.
• Fire Code Officer Joseph Desormeau and Lead Deputy Fire Marshal Shane LaBeck for resolving serious life-safety hazards discovered during a complex facility inspection.

· Paramedic Shawn Zupfer and Emergency Medical Technician Aidan Schrater, who revived a cardiac arrest patient while working alone in the back of an ambulance.

View the full awards ceremony video to learn more about the efforts of each honoree.

Media Contacts:

Laura Shepard, Communications Director, [email protected]

Captain Raymond Egan, Public Information Coordinator, [email protected]