Pullman Fire Department, Five firefighters, one police officer honored for Grove fire response

Five Pullman firefighters, along with Pullman Police Officer Wade Winegardner, were awarded the Distinguished Service Medal Sunday for their exceptional service and performance during the massive Grove Apartment fire in July.

Fire Chief Mike Heston presented the award to Winegardner for alertly capturing the license plate of a suspicious vehicle which led to the arrest of the arson suspect.

Firefighters receiving the Distinguished Service Medal from Heston include: Andrew Howell, the initial incident commander for exceptional leadership and performance; Paul Heebink, for exceptional leadership in adverse conditions; Ryan Palmberg, for exceptional skill on his first structure fire as an engineer; Ben Gecas, for placing himself and an engine in a volatile situation that prevented an occupied apartment from catching fire and allowing for a safe evacuation; and Michael Chapman, for exceptional decision making and poise in adverse conditions establishing an alternative water supply when several hydrants on the property were not working.

The Unit Medal of Valor was awarded to a shift or station while operating under hazardous conditions, and who performed their duties in an exemplary manner. That award went to Capt. Don Foster and firefighters Howell, Heebink, Erik Taylor, Brian Parrish, Chelsey Tadema, Michael Chapman, Palmberg, Gecas and Patrick Domreis.

Heston also presented the Unit Medal of Valor to the fire investigating team that performed in an exemplary manner under extreme conditions. Those receiving the award included Fire Investigator Capt. Rich Dragoo, Pullman Police Officer Chris Engle, Washington State University Police Officer Darren Jones, firefighters Anthony Nuttman, Taylor and Reed McPherson.

The firefighters had Mayor Glenn Johnson present Chief Mike Heston with the Unit Medal of Valor for his professionalism, decisive leadership and calm demeanor in this extraordinary event.

The ceremony also included the official badge pinning for Ryan Scharnhorst from deputy chief of training to assistant fire chief of operations. Scharnhorst rejoined the department in late 2009 after working in Wisconsin. He sits on the Washington Fire Chief’s board for safety, training and officers as vice chair. He is a nationally registered paramedic.

There were six reserve firefighters who were given their black helmets after completing two years of service to the Pullman Fire Department. The reserves presented with the awards were Justin Bodolay, Roy Godina, Cody Havrilak, Matt Hilgers, Chris Koeppel and Sam Logar.