Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Three weeks after receiving a Bronze Ax from his own department, Claude Swick was named the county's Fireman of the Year.
Swick, 85, has been a member of the Burket Fire Department for 38 years. His fellow firefighters nominated Swick for the award and he accepted it Thursday night before the crowd gathered for the annual Kosciusko County Firemen's Association fish fry.
"This is a big honor for me," Swick said. He added that receiving his Bronze Ax "was an honor ... and this is more of an honor."
Swick began as an active member of the Burket Fire Department in 1962 and, according to the nomination letter "he keeps going and going and going ..."
In addition to serving as captain of the department for 29 years, Swick annually sets up the summer fire prevention program at McClure Lake.
His fire family claims Swick "is a vital part of our department ... a friend to young and old alike."
While a heart attack in the mid-1990s keeps Swick from actually fighting fires anymore, he said he directs traffic, pulls hose and does whatever else is needed. "I'm gonna stay on as long as my health is good," Swick said.
Also recognized was the 2000 Distinguished Service Award winner.
Ellis Shepherd of Mentone Fire Department took home that award. Shepherd has served 29 years for Mentone, and 25 of those years he has held an officer position. Shepherd also has taught training sessions, with more than 200 firemen in Kosciusko County learning from him over the years.
Shepherd was treasurer of the KCFA from 1979-90 and was nominated by his peers for Fireman of the Year in 1978.
The attendance award, given to the department that had the most firefighters at the monthly KCFA meetings, went to Mentone Fire Department and was accepted by its chief, Everett "Butch" Warren.
The KCFA was established in 1945 to form a mutual aid agreement for the county. Officers for 2000 are: president, Mitch Rader of Leesburg Fire Department; vice president, Larry Neher of Silver Lake Fire Department; secretary, Kerry Stogsdill of Warsaw Fire Department; and treasurer, Mike Blair of Atwood Fire Department.
In addition to representatives of each of the county's 14 fire departments, firefighters from Akron, New Paris, Larwill and North Manchester fire departments took part in the 55th annual fish fry.
