WEBSTER CITY — Capt. Jeromy Estlund has been chosen as the Webster City Firefighter of the Year for 2018.

Estlund received a Lifesaving Commendation Award for a river rescue that took place last August.

On Aug. 29, he was among the firefighters who responded to a report of a person in distress on the Boone River. Estlund steered a Fire Department boat toward a person clinging to a branch in the water. Fire Department Capt. Brandon Hayes pulled the individual into the boat and Estlund steered them to the river bank.

”Because of his quick work, the person was saved,” Fire Chief Chuck Stansfield said. ”He was also a big part of a difficult vehicle extrication this year that helped save a person’s life.”

Estlund coordinates the biannual open house for the kids in the community to visit the firehouse to have some fun and learn about fire safety.

He visits each elementary school and preschool in Webster City to give fire prevention talks to the kids, Stansfield said.

”Capt. Estlund was nominated and chosen by his peers, and because of his constant dedication and hard work to promote the department as well as his great work at the county shed fire, first arriving with Engine 33.”

A Dec. 16, 2018, fire destroyed the Hamilton County Road Department shed at 1605 Second St.