Top firefighters named
<p>Kootenai County Fire and Rescue FIrefighter Frank Harwood, right, is congratulated by KCFR Commissioner Keith Hutcheson after Harwood received the Dedication and Devotion Award, the highest honor given by KCFR.</p>
<p>Firefighter/Paramedic Mitchell Copstead received the President's Award given by Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Local 2855. From left are Lt. Seth Hohenstreet, president of Local 2856, Lt. Justin Capaul, Firefighter/Engineer Kaipo Kuehu, Copstead and Firefighter/Engineer Brett Lynch.</p>
<p>Eric Sorenson, left, was named the Northern Lakes Fire District's Firefighter of the Year. The award was presented by Chief Dean Marcus.</p>
Kootenai County Fire and Rescue and Northern Lakes Fire District recently honored staff for outstanding performances.
KCFR, which serves Post Falls, Dalton Gardens, Stateline Village, Fernan Village and Wolf Lodge, presented its prestigious Dedication and Devotion Award to Firefighter Frank Harwood.
Harwood, who has been with KCFR since 2007, participates in multiple KCFR committees, is a peer fitness trainer and the lead for the rope rescue discipline.
"Frank is an excellent example for his peers," Chief Warren Merritt said.
Eric Sorenson was named Firefighter of the Year for Northern Lakes, which serves Hayden, Rathdrum and Hayden Lake.
Three KCFR crews were presented Life Saving Awards for resuscitating patients from cardiac arrest, including:
* Duane Hanna, Adam Godwin, Mitchell Copstead, Peter Holley and Sam LaPresta for an incident on Oct. 24, 2013.
* Bryan Williams, Brett Lynch, Jayme Hull, Charis Schreiber and Jeff Brucick on Nov. 10, 2013.
* Hanna, Ryan Asher, Brooks Brown, Brucick and Kyle Clark on Feb. 1, 2014.
Four Northern Lakes crews received Live Saving Awards, including:
* Kevin Croffoot, Cody Moore, Aaron O'Brien, Amanda Tams and Scott Hochberger for a incident on Oct. 7, 2013.
* Matt Usher, Jerry Moreau, Luke Michael and Burt Maines on Oct. 9, 2013.
* Mike Duke, Tams, Maines and Hochberger on July 14, 2013.
* Brad VanErt, Marc Ghirarduzzi, Ryan Alltus, Michael and Usher on May 13, 2013.
Valerie Knapp earned an Individual Commendation Bar during the May 13 incident.
KCFR presented Continuous Service Awards to: Firefighter Maurice Wagner Jr., five years; Commissioner Keith Hutcheson, 10; Lt. Bryon Johnson and Firefighter Barry Sherman, 15; Hanna, 20; Capt. Ron Graham, 25; and Lt. John Ward, 30.
KCFR personnel who participated in completing 1,420 business inspections in 2013 - all of the businesses in the district - were presented service coins.