EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) -
Evansville's first ever Firefighters' Recognition Ball was held Saturday night. Over 200 attendees came out to recognize some of the city's award-winning firefighters.
Friday night's award ceremony, at the SWIRCA Ivy Room, involved recognition of award-winning firefighters, as well as retirees who have dedicated decades of service.
Assistant Fire Chief Paul Anslinger says it took just a few months of planning and that they only expected around 100 attendees. But he says attendance was well above expectations, at 240.
Some of the highlighted award winners were Chris Ryder, who won the Kiwanis Firefighter of the Year Award in March, as well as John Cline, Don Splinder, and Shawn Oglesby, who were awarded Valor Awards by the State Fire Marshall's Office.
Anslinger also says they intentionally held the ball near the anniversary of September eleventh, in order to recognize and remember the brave firefighters, and other service men and women, who gave their lives on that day. He also says he hopes to turn this event into a yearly occurrence.
"A lot of fire departments have this as a tradition. We just never had one and we saw this opportunity to really recognize our firefighters for what they do for this community, in an environment which is fitting for what they do. They should be recognized for the time they serve, the efforts they put into promotions, and just their day to day jobs."
Anslinger says, for future Firefighters' Ball events, they plan to hold it around the anniversary of September eleventh, as a tradition.
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Assistant Fire Chief Paul Anslinger says it took just a few months of planning and that they only expected around 100 attendees. But he says attendance was well above expectations, at 240.
