Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue honored a few of its own at the district’s 13th Annual Fire Department Banquet.

Keynote speaker for the banquet, held Feb. 18 at the Coupeville Recreation Hall, was 11-time Gold Cup hydroplane driver, Chip Hanauer.

Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard, Island County Commissioner Mike Shelton, and Fire Commissioners Cheryl Engle, Paula Messner and Tom Smith helped honor the department’s 2001 high achievers.

District secretary Kim Harpe was chosen as “Member of the Year,”and E.M.T Troy Donlin walked away as the “New Member of the Year.”

The 15-year service awards were given to: Capt. Gary Smart, Capt. Andy Griffin, and photographer Ed Chaput. The members responding to the most emergencies in their area were: Capt. Rob Spinner; Firefighter, EMT Ron Yount; E.M.T. Melinda Buchholz; and Capt. Andy Griffin. The member attending the most training in 2001: Firefighter, E.M.T. Debora Keyes; Firefighter David Grimm; and E.M.T. Melinda Buchholz.

According to Fire Chief Joe Biller, Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue responded to 644 total emergencies in 2001, which included 53 fires, 413 medical aid calls and 177 other calls for help.