Page 13 - The Wayne Dispatch

Fire Department announces awards

New Wayne Fire Chief Michael ways presented with a positive atti- censed Emergency Medical Techni-
Stradtner recently awarded certifi- tude and willingness to learn. When cian/Paramedic in the State of Michi-
cates and commendations to mem- it comes to training, he is always the gan. He also worked without fail
bers of the Wayne Fire Department. first one dressed, ready to push him- during the pandemic, while half of
Due to strict COVID restrictions, self to be the best. Shaun continues his emergency response co-workers
there was not an annual awards to improve and is one of the most came down with COVID-19. Kevin
event held in 2020. However, there trusted firefighters on the scene. He continued to protect himself, the de-
were several emergency runs in has put the time into learning every partment and the community never
2019 that were important to ac- aspect of the job and has proven to wavering from his duties. Firefighter
knowledge during the recent awards be reliable, knowledgeable, and com- Kevin Pietrasinski takes great pride
event. petent. His diligence on the fire in his career and serving the citizens
The Chief Distinguished Service ground has made him one of the best of Wayne. He truly is a representa-
Award has only been awarded three pump operators in the department. tion of what it means to be a Profes-
times within the Wayne Fire Depart- Shaun was pushed beyond any prior sional Firefighter. His actions greatly
ment up until recently. Wayne Fire limits, due to the COVID-19 Pan- contributed to the accomplishments
Chief Michael Stradtner recently demic. COVID-19 changed the way of and upheld the finest traditions of
honored Capt. William Thomas, we go about performing our every- the City of Wayne Fire/EMS Depart-
Capt. David Wylie, Lt. Troy Mar- day tasks, requiring donning Tyvek ment.”
lewitz, and Firefighters Jeremy Firefighter/Paramedic Shaun Pek was suits, wearing of facemasks, eye pro- A Lifesaving Award was pre-
Tima, Kevin Pietrasinski and Tavis recognized as Wayne’s 2020 Firefighter tection, and multiple times a day sented to Capt. Andrew Stager, Lt.
Brehmer with this award for their sanitizing equipment, vehicles, the Jason Reeves, FF Cullen McKee and
“meritorious service performed dur- of the Year. station, and ourselves. All of these FF Adrian Garduno for meritorious
ing the significant reduction in man- high levels of carbon monoxide extreme measures were put in place service performed on April 12, 2019
power due to the COVID-19 throughout the townhouse. The at- to keep us as safe as possible as we when the Wayne Fire Department re-
outbreak. Over half of the depart- tached apartment units were moni- battle against the coronavirus. This sponded to a 911 call for a motor ve-
ment’s members tested positive for tored and three out of the four units took a toll on our mental and physi- hicle crash. Upon arrival, firefighters
the coronavirus and were unable to held high levels of carbon dioxide. cal health as we became separated found a 24-year-old male laying
work, taking a toll on our depart- Captain Andrew Stager made the de- from loved ones, watched the horri- supine, head first under the front
ment’s first responders. These indi- cision to monitor all 269 units in the fying news stories on the infection end of an SUV. Extrication was initi-
viduals stayed vigilant and apartment complex for levels of car- rates and death toll within our state, ated. Airbags were utilized to lift the
committed to the job and to the citi- bon monoxide. Because of the quick across the country and the world. vehicle to free the patient. Advanced
zens of Wayne, never allowing a shift action and diligent investigation of Firefighter Pek continued to go above Life Support procedures were intro-
to be understaffed or an emergency Capt. Stager, lives were saved. Capt. and beyond every day, sometimes duced including IV treatment, drug
to go unanswered. These six firefight- Stager received a Merit Award for his multiple days in a row, with a posi- therapy, cardiac monitoring, amputa-
ers answered the highest call of duty actions. Deputy Chief Jeremie tive attitude and a smile on his face. tion protocol, and c-spine stabiliza-
that the City of Wayne Fire Depart- Schneider, Capt. William Thomas, He went about his day, never com- tion. Because of the quick action
ment has ever seen. The demand on Capt. David Wylie, Lt. Troy Mar- plaining, never expecting special taken by the firefighters, the patient
these firefighters was even more ex- lewitz, Lt. Jason Reeves, Lt. Robert treatment, recognition, or praise. received aggressive treatment and
acerbated by the daily changes to Caccia, FF Cullen McKee, FF Kevin Pek puts on the uniform and serves has recovered. These department
EMS protocols, the closure of Beau- Pietrasinski and FF Tavis Brehmer the citizens of the city of Wayne with- members also received a Unit Cita-
mont Wayne, the uncertainty of their received a Department Citation for out hesitation, without fear, and with- tion Award for their actions.
own safety as well as the inability to their lifesaving actions. A Unit Cita- out ever a bad word to say about All members of the Wayne Fire
comfort loved ones during an un- tion was awarded to Deputy Chief Je- anyone or anything. Firefighter Department received a Merit Award
precedented pandemic. By their mer- remie Schneider, Capt. William Shaun Pek has shown what it truly for their service during the COVID-
itorious service, these firefighters Thomas, Capt. David Wylie, Lt. Troy means to be a public servant and has 19 pandemic. “These individuals
contributed significantly to the city of Marlewitz, Lt. Jason Reeves, Lt. excelled in every aspect. stayed vigilante and committed to
Wayne and upheld the finest tradi- Robert Caccia, Firefighter Cullen Firefighter/Paramedic Shaun Pek the job for the citizens of Wayne,
tions of the Wayne Fire Department.” McKee, Firefighter Kevin Pietrasin- lives in Southgate with his family, never allowing the City to be under
These firefighters were the only de- ski, and Firefighter Tavis Brehmer. Kristina and daughter Allison. serviced during this global pan-
partment firefighters who did not Firefighter/Paramedic Shaun Pek An Honorable Mention Firefighter demic.
have COVID during the height of the was recognized as Wayne’s 2020 of the Year Award went to Fire- The daily changes to EMS proto-
pandemic and were on duty most of Firefighter of the Year. According to fighter/Paramedic Kevin Pietrasinski. cols, the closure of Beaumont Wayne,
that timeframe. Fire Chief Stradtner, “Firefighter Pek Chief Stradtner wrote, “Firefighter the uncertainty of their own safety,
On February 1, 2019, the Wayne has been a member of the City of Pietrasinski began his career with the inability to comfort loved ones
Fire Department responded to a 911 Wayne Fire/EMS Department for 5 Wayne Fire Department in April during an unprecedented pandemic
call for a possible carbon monoxide years and during this time he has 2018. In the last 3 years Kevin has and the stressful demands on all
incident and medical emergency. gone above and beyond what is re- evolved into a knowledgeable, dedi- members of our department did not
Upon arrival at the scene, the crew quired of his position. The Wayne cated professional. Firefighter go unanswered. By their meritorious
made entry with their primary Fire Department has always had the Pietrasinski, under great pressure service, these firefighters con-
search locating one female victim on reputation of having the toughest and through a pandemic, invested tributed significantly to the city of
the main floor and one unresponsive probationary period, demanding the hours of time to successfully earn Wayne and upheld the finest tradi-
male in the basement. Air monitor- highest level of commitment and the rigorous national registry para- tions of the Wayne Fire Department,”
ing was conducted which revealed dedication. Firefighter Pek has al- medic certification and become a li- read the award.
The Wayne Dispatch · May 2021 · 13