During a retiree breakfast and awards ceremony in the firehouse, 1515 Central Ave., retirees were recognized and the newest members of the department were sworn in.

Several firefighters and paramedics received the Lifesaving Award for reviving patients who did not have a pulse.

Also, the Chief Harry Callahan and Chief Willard Whitcome awards were presented.

FIre Chief Matt Price and Emergency Medical Service Supervisor Terry Evans presented the Lifesaving Award to two groups of Fire Department personnel. Price said each group responded to a patient who was clinically dead and delivered them to a hospital with a pulse.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Fire Department Capt. Steve Teske, left, receives the Chief Willard Whitcome Award Wednesday morning from Fire Chief Matt Price. The award recognizes a Fire Department member known for treating the public and co-workers with the greatest respect while being selfless in service to the community.

The first group consisted of Firefighter/EMT Gionni Hamilton, Firefighter/paramedic Andy Midtling and Firefighter/EMT Collin Wheat.

Price said the second group to receive the Lifesaving Award responded to “the type of call no one wants to go to.” He said the patient was reported to be having a seizure then went into cardiac arrest twice. That team consisted of Firefighter/paramedic Matt Decker, Firefighter/EMT Trey Nelson, Firefighter/EMT Carson Taylor and Paramedic Valerie Thompson.

Decker also received the Chief Harry Callahan Award, which is given each year to a firefighter known for being skillful and innovative. Price said Decker helps teach younger firefighters, helped design the recently delivered tower ladder truck, and works with a peer support group.

“And he has a spreadsheet for about everything,” Price added.

The Chief Willard Whitcome Award is presented annually to a department member known for treating the public and co-workers with the greatest respect while being selfless in service to the community. The award was presented to Capt. Steve Teske.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
The 10 newest members of the Fort Dodge Fire Department are sworn in Wednesday morning at the firehouse.

‘This guy doesn’t need an introduction,” Price said.

He described Teske as humble, compassionate and selfless.

“He has been a consistent role model and figure of leadership in our department,” the chief said.

Early in the event, the two most recent Fire Department retirees were recognized. They are Firefighter/paramedic Chuck DeBaun and Firefighter/EMT Pat Greve.

Three former department members who died in the past year — Fire Chief John Webster, Assistant Fire Chief Woody Wolfe and Firefighter John Glesne — were remembered with a short bell-ringing ceremony.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Firefighter/paramedic Andy Midtling, left, Firefighter/EMT Gionni Hamilton, and Firefighter/EMT Collin Wheat received the Lifesaving Award Wednesday morning for reviving a patient whose heart had stopped.

Ten new members of the department were sworn in Wednesday morning. They are EMT Colton Barrett, Paramedic Andrea Brandt, Firefighter/EMT Brian Brenneman, Firefighter/EMT Chase Cummins, Firefighter/EMT JJ Durflinger, Firefighter/EMT Ryan Kloetzer, Firefighter/EMT Sam Myer, Firefighter/EMT Ben Peters, Firefighter/EMT Carson Taylor and Hamilton.

All of them were hired since the April 2025 awards ceremony.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Firefighter/paramedic Matt Decker receives the Chief Harry Callahan Award Wednesday morning from Emergency Medical Service Supervisor Terry Evans.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
The Chief Harry Callahan and Chief Willard Whitcome awards are seen on a table before Wednesday morning’s event at the Fort Dodge firehouse.