By Denise Blaz
The Abilene Reporter-News
ABILENE, Texas — Many firefighters, including those at the Abilene Fire Department, humbly shy away from the spotlight.
Organized by the city, the fourth annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony honored about 40 firefighters Thursday at the Abilene Civic Center for hard work and service to the community.
Chief Ken Dozier said many didn’t show up to the ceremony because they simply didn’t want to be recognized publicly.
One of the seven retirees honored didn’t attend because he wanted to be present to pick up his children on their last day of school, he said.
“Whenever someone comes into my office and tells me they’re going to retire soon, I always ask them if we can have a retirement ceremony,” Dozier said. “Most of them always say no because they don’t want to be in the spotlight. But we have this every year just to say thanks for the positive influence in our department and community.”
The humbleness even extended to Charles Galco, the man who was named Firefighter of the Year, the department’s top honor.
“I don’t do anything else that everyone else is already doing,” he said. “We’re all in it together. Everyone supports each other. It’s what every little boy wants to do. You get to drive around in firetrucks and hang out with your buddies. I like the camaraderie and the sense of family. It’s like a brotherhood.”
An AFD firefighter for the past 17 years, Galco works in the AFD’s Hazmat unit. In his spare time, Galco’s passion for the profession extends to teaching others about firefighting at Cisco College.
Also honored was Brittney Gonzales, a YMCA lifeguard. She was honored for helping save an elderly woman from drowning. Firefighters Zachrey Brown and Scott Douglas were cited for taking the initiative to introduce a fitness incentive program.
Capt. Steve Taylor was honored for his continuing work on the department’s prefire planning program. Also, Lt. John Brunett was honored for going above his duties as a firefighter.
Last year, Brunett signaled his warning lights to a reckless driver who turned out to be having a diabetic episode. When the driver stopped, Brunett was the first to help before paramedics arrived on the scene.
“I was just doing my job,” Brunett said during his acceptance speech. “I think anyone in that position would have done the same thing. We do this every day. We go out and save lives.”
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