After being passed over for his swearing in ceremony last year for only having a month on the job last year, rookie fire fighter Tanner Calvert of Aubrey rated Rookie of the Year according to his peers and trainers at the Pilot Point Fire Department Awards Banquet on Saturday.
Rookie of the year is one of several awards the department gives its members once a year during the banquet, with others including the Life Saving and Years of Service Awards.
“It takes a lot to get Rookie of the Year,” Assistant Chief and emcee Bryan Cox said. “We put you through a lot of torture. If we didn’t like you, we sure wouldn’t pick on you, but in turn, you are using that rookie year to learn the valuable skills we need you to, to be a hand on scene and help us make a difference in the community.”
Calvert was quick to deflect the praise.
“It’s truly a blessing,” Calvert said. “I thank these guys every day for teaching and guiding me. I appreciate everyone here.”
Newly promoted driver operator Derek Gray numbered among those who helped Calvert learn the ropes, not just as a firefighter, but as a working adult.
“Anytime you have a young person coming in, a lot of times it’s their first job, and it’s a job where you live with the people you work with, so there’s a lot of nuances that come into that,” Gray said. “You’re not just training them how to do the job. You’re teaching them how to be an adult. It’s amazing to see someone come in and want to do well and to put themselves in a position to make the department better.”
Another rookie, of 14 years before coming on full time, Cox explained, got some recognition at the event as well.
“Have y’all ever had an employee that’s just hard to coach, hard to train,” Cox said. “We’ve all had them and some take longer than others. In this case, my problem child took 14 years to get off probation and finally managed to do it last year and become full time. This year we’d like to recognize Chief Hudson, for finally finishing his rookie year full time with us.”
Hudson laughed alongside the audience as he received his plaque.
“We have one this year that reaches his 10-year milestone in the organization,” Cox said. “Captain [Todd] Rimling joined the organization in January of 2015. One of the things we’re doing this year is on your 10-year anniversary, you get a lettered fire helmet, which is a coveted item in the fire service. It works out for us because through regulations and stuff, your gear has to be swapped out every 10 years anyway.”
It wasn’t only members of the department who received recognition during the event, with PointBank receiving thanks for all it’s done for the department over the years and Branch Manager Lisa Cave receiving special recognition.
“There is always one person we turn to that without question, regardless of time of day, is there to support us, a lot of times ahead of time,” Cox said. “This evening it is my special privilege to recognize Lisa Cave as a Lifetime Honorary Firefighter.”
