LFD Recognizes Firefighters

Firefighters/EMTs Matt Spencer and Jonathan Bowden were among the top award winners at the Lexington Fire Department’s annual awards banquet Feb. 17.

Spencer won the Gene Bare Fireman of the Year award while Bowden received the Alton Swink Outstanding Fireman award.

Other top award winners included Lt. Wes Harlow, J. Henry Sorrels Officer of the Year; EMT Ken Hewett, Weldon Tolley EMS Provider of the Year; and firefighter Leyton Wormser, Arthur Wallace Rookie of the Year.

All of the winners were voted on by the recipients’ peers in the department.

The department also handed out EMS awards to three crews for cardiac saves in separate calls. All three involved patients found in cardiac arrest (no heartbeat or breathing), and the crews were able to obtain a successful resuscitation, restoring both breathing and heartbeat.

The three crews receiving those awards were as follows: Justin Cheatham, Bryan Emrey, Chase Groah, Lt. Jarrod Hill and Jeremy Nicely; Cheatham, Groah, Hill, Jaci Zeagler and Nicely; And Nickie Chittam, Mason Craft, Lt. Wes Harlow, TJ Robertson and James Schindler.