The city has named Ezekiel “Zeke” Spence as its 2009 Firefighter of the Year, it was announced Wednesday.
A member of the department’s C Shift headed by Battalion Chief Larry Horton, Spence was selected by a panel of fellow firefighters after nominations were received from the department, according to a news release.
“Zeke is an all-around great firefighter and (emergency medical technician), and is one of those individuals who goes all out to help in whatever way he can on emergency scenes and at the station,” Fire Chief Dan White said in the release. “He is well respected by all the firefighters for not only his Fire Department work, but also for his solid character and great disposition.”
Spence, who received a unanimous vote for this year’s award from the selection panel, started with the city in December 2001, working in the Street Department. Spence then transferred to the Fire Department in July 2002, after testing for a firefighter position.
Currently, Spence is engineer/EMT with the department.
“Zeke is one of those guys that when another firefighter is having a bad day or feeling down, Zeke can bring them out of it just by being around him and hearing him laugh,” White said. “He is a dedicated firefighter and an excellent EMT. We are very proud to have him as one of ours.”