Jimmy Keys’ unanimous selection as Dowagiac Firefighter of the Year for 2010 at the 41st annual Wolverine Mutual Insurance Co. banquet Thursday night summed up a “tough year” for the Fire Department.

The fallen firefighter, killed in a crash Valentine’s Day in South Haven, where he was pursuing emergency medical technician training through Lake Michigan College, was one of five losses, along with Don Coy in January 2010, Lester Barnes in March 2010, Terry Dodd in September 2010 and Brad Evans in December 2010.

Second-year chairman Nickolas Barnes presented a special fireman’s trophy to his predecessor, former city councilman Wayne Comstock, who organized the dinner which took place at Timberline Inn near Indian Lake for a record 26 years. “I did enjoy this,” Comstock commented. “This was something I looked forward to every year. I appreciate what you guys do.”

Department of Public Safety Director Tom Atkinson, who oversees both the police and fire departments, said, “Since January 2010 through Feb. 14, 2011, we’ve had a pretty tough year for the Fire Department. We’ve lost five firefighters altogether — three active and two retired.

“These five firefighters shared over 100 years of experience,” Atkinson said. “Dowagiac Fire Department responds to an average 130 alarms a year. If just one of the five was able to make it to these calls, that represents 13,000 alarms. That’s a huge commitment you guys give to our community. Next year is going to be better.”

City Manager Kevin Anderson said, “There are challenges we are facing as a municipality and as a state. Cash flow coming into communities presents tremendous challenges. There are some definite hits that are going to happen to the General Fund this year when we drop $150,000 to $170,000 in revenue. That’s going to continue to happen for a period of time as there are less state shared revenues coming in and property values have declined. The good news is that we’ve been able to maintain our cash reserves, so we’ll make our way through this.

“I want you guys to focus on that while these challenges are out there for all of us, they can get inside our heads and be consuming and affect how we do our jobs. Our challenge is to not let that happen because this community needs you. Time and time again, when people are in trouble and at their greatest point of need, when they’re seeing their dreams go up in smoke, you’re the ones who are there to help them. We can never lose sight of that,” Anderson said.

Bob Wolfer delivered a framed legislative tribute signed by his boss, state Sen. John Proos, state Rep. Sharon Tyler, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton and Gov. Rick Snyder for Keys, 31, who first joined the department in August 2000, went to Ohio in 2002 and returned in 2007.

“Jimmy was always a hardworking firefighter who was up for a good time and for a good challenge,” Barnes said.

“Nicknames are a big tradition at the fire station,” and his was “Tree,” after asking at CPR training, “How long should it be administered out in the woods, with no one around, and a tree fell on the victim?”

In his spare time, Keys enjoyed fishing and riding motorcycles.

Deputy Chief Dale Hutchings, who started as a police dispatcher in 1977, transferred to the Fire Department in 1984. He retires May 31 after 34 years with the city.

“Hutch” accepted Keys’ trophy, awarded by a unanimous vote of fulltime and part-time fire personnel.

“Jimmy would have really loved to see this,” Hutchings said, “because this right here was one of his big goals. He’s still with us, he’s just driving a new ladder truck.”

Burton Dodd collected his 20-year award.

The first Firefighter of the Year, in 1970, was Ron McAtee.