Paw Paw Fire Department member John Buskirk was honored for his 10 years of service on the department. Courier-Leader photo/Paul GarrodPaw Paw Fire Department member Trent DeGroff was honored for his 35 years of service on the department. Courier-Leader photo/Paul GarrodThe Paw Paws Fire Department held its annual Appreciation Dinner, Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Paw Paw Fire Department. Brandon Hall was named the 2025 Firefighter of the Year. On the department for nearly 15 years, Hall currently serves as second assistant fire chief. Courier-Leader photo/Paul GarrodA total of six members of the Paw Paw Fire Department were each honored on Oct. 2, for their 40 years of service to the Paw Paw Fire Department. Shown in photo above, from left, Ron Douglas, Jr., Pat Burmester, Bryan Stump, Kirk Richardson, and Jim Jackson. Missing from photo is Steve Richardson. The awards were given out at the fire department’s Annual Appreciation Dinner. Courier-Leader photo/Paul GarrodKelly Redmond, a member of the Paw Paw Fire Department, received the Judges Award from Van Buren County Judge Susan Metzger during the Paw Paw Fire Department’s annual Appreciation Dinner held Thursday, Oct. 2. Courier-Leader photo/Paul Garrod
By Paul Garrod Staff Writer news4garrod@gmail.com
PAW PAW – The Paw Paw Fire Department’s Annual Appreciation Dinner was held Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Paw Paw Fire Department. Following the dinner, the introduction of officers and awards were presented. Department member Brandon Hall, who currently serves as second assistant fire chief, was named the 2025 Fire Fighter of the Year. Six Paw Paw firefighters were each presented with plaques marking their 40 years of active service on the department. Those honored included Bryan Stump, Jim Jackson, Steve Richardson, Pat Burmester and Ron Douglas, Jr. Honored for 30 years of active service on the department were Trent DeGroff and Jason Johnson. John Buskirk was honored for 10 years of active service. The Judges Award, presented by Judge Susan Metzger, was presented to Kelly Redmond.
