By By TAMMY YEAGER
Kyle Wilson was named 2004 Fireman of the Year at the recent Wayne Township Fire Department banquet at Dowagiac Moose Lodge.
Assistant Fire Chief Frank Butts, the township supervisor, introduced Cass County Board of Commissioners Chairman Robert Wagel, R-Wayne Township, Dowagiac Police Chief Tom Atkinson, Family Court Judge Susan Dobrich, County Clerk-Register Barb Wilson, Ed and Linda Palmer and Ruth Curtis.
A special thank-you was given to Mrs. Curtis for her generosity.
Her annual donations make the banquet a reality.
She was presented with a planter of fresh flowers.
Also in attendance were Fire Board Secretary Fred Minikel, Treasurer Wayne Fairleigh and George LaPorte.
Wayne Township Trustee Michael Krager and Clerk Kurt Reich also attended.
Wayne Township is celebrating its 18th year.
The department has 19 firefighters.
In 2004, firefighters were called on for 103 fire runs and 18 other types of runs, such as auto-related, smoke and carbon dioxide investigations, mutual aid to other departments and one ice rescue.
This past year the department purchased a Jaws of Life spreader and cutter.
The department was awarded a FEMA homeland security grant of $30,000 to purchase four radios, 18 pagers and eight hand-held radios, which will improve communication.
The department also will be purchasing new turnout gear.
Chief Harry Wickett announced the township will be adding on an addition to the department in the spring.
It is also looking to purchase two trucks, a pumper tanker and a brush truck.
Kyle was born in Niles and went to school in Dowagiac.
While in school he was athletic in cross country running and also track.
He worked at Glenwood Inn as a dishwasher and cook for four years.
Kyle graduated from Dowagiac Union High School in 2001 and attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College, studying law enforcement.
Kyle is currently employed at Bud Distributing as a warehouse worker.
He plans to return to college in the future to finish his dream of becoming a law enforcement officer.
Kyle joined the fire department in 2002.
He said he decided to become a firefighter because he likes helping people, being part of the fire department team and being involved with emergency rescue operations.
He also likes the lights and sirens.
He said he couldn't think of anything he dislikes about being a firefighter.
When asked what incident stands out in his mind, he said it was an auto accident that was shocking and devastating.