When Bill Hardesty was awarded the 2011 Kosciusko County Fireman of the Year Award at the annual firemen’s fish fry recently, he was surprised and honored.
“It was quite an honor and unexpected to have your own guys vote you in,” Hardesty said. “The best part is that the guys you work with voted for you.”
While Hardesty was honored, he was very humble about the award.
“I feel like there were other people who deserved it more than I did,” Hardesty said.
Hardesty has been around the field of service for more than 32 years. He enjoys his position as a volunteer firefighter with the Mentone Fire Department.
“To me it is very rewarding to help other people,” Hardesty said. “I followed in my dad’s footsteps. It is something I grew up with.”
Being a volunteer firefighter and owning a business can be difficult, Hardesty said, but it’s something he wants to do.
“It is difficult to juggle work time and family time, but that's the life of a volunteer fireman,” Hardesty said. “When the call comes in, you go. You have to find a way to make it work. You have to be dedicated and want to do it, and it will work out.”
Mitch Rader, former president of the Kosciusko County Firemen’s Association, said that each year once the departments have sent in their nominations, the last three recipients of the award meet to choose the next.
“It is a surprise because no one really knows outside the department that nominated them who it will be,” Rader said. “Since at least 1946 we have not had a repeat winner, that is part of what makes the award so prestigious. There have been 50 or so winners out of the 400 firefighters we have.”
In the letter sent to Rader by Mentone Fire Chief Mike Yazel, Yazel described his assistant chief as nothing but an asset to the Mentone Fire Department.
“He is methodical and detail oriented while on the scene, and has been the officer in charge of the inside teams for years,” Yazel wrote. “It has been an honor to serve the Mentone community with him, and I am proud to offer his nomination as County Fireman of the Year.”
In addition to Hardesty receiving Fireman of the Year, Max Duncan of the Milford Fire Department received the Service Award and the Claypool Fire Department received the Attendance Award.
After 13 years, Rader and Vice President Larry Neher left their posts. Kevin McSherry was voted president; Kerry Stogsdill, vice president; Gordon Baker, secretary; and Mike Blair, treasurer.
