Firefighter of Year awarded

By Sam Waller

The Albany Volunteer Fire Department selected Lt. Casey Kimbrough as its 2022 Firefighter of the Year last month at its annual Christmas party.

“The department appreciates Casey’s service, and we’re proud that he received the award this year,” Albany VFD Chief Travis Gardenhire said.

The annual award is voted on by department members to honor an individual whom they believe has best met the five following qualifications:

The firefighter must not be on probation.

The firefighter must have shown to be highly active in the department through meetings and fire/emergency calls.

The firefighter must have shown dedication to his/her duty as an Albany firefighter and demonstrate professionalism.

The firefighter must be knowledgeable in the fields of firefighting and safety.

The nominee should be one who “goes the extra mile” and is considered dependable.

Kimbrough also received the award in 2020. Department members vote on the award in early November.

“The recognition is based on dedication, making calls, making meetings, putting in the time and effort between the calls,” Gardenhire said. “Casey doesn’t shy away from getting up there and getting his hands dirty, and it was noticed throughout the department. He is truly dedicated to serving Albany that way.”

Gardenhire, the 2021 recipient, held up a recent fire in Moran as an example of Kimbrough’s willingness to do the job. The call came in around 3:30 a.m.

“Casey works early hours, but he always makes the late-night calls,” Gardenhire said. “He does most of the sports team send-offs. He’s on his seventh or eighth year with the department, and he hasn’t slowed down one bit.”