Highland Optimist Club honors firefighters for their service

The Highland Optimist Club hosted its annual Firemfighter & EMS Appreciation Night at the Highland Country Club on July 18. During the event, the Highland Optimist Club treated more than 35 members of the Highland-Pierron Fire Department, Highland Fire Department, and Highland Fire Department EMS Service to a steak dinner.

This is an annual event were the Optimist honor these departments.

Dennis Wernle was named the Highland-Pierron Firefighter of the Year.

“Dennis has been a member of the Highland-Pierron Fire District for over 30 years,” said HPFD Chief Steve Plocher. “He is one of my assistant chiefs, and he is just always there for things going on.”

Last year, the fire district had 240 calls, and Wernle responded to 109 of those — more than anyone else in the department.

“He’s our top guy and did more than anyone else,” Plocher said. “I’ve been friends with him for 40 years. He’s just an all-around good guy and always available to help whenever anyone needs it.”

John Driemeyer was honored as the city of Highland’s Firefighter of the Year.

“John has been dedicated to the department for 30 years of service, and he does a very good job,” said Highland Fire Chief Rick Bloemker. “It’s the small, behind-the-scenes things that he does that people don’t see.”

Bloemker said Driemeyer was overdue for recognition for all he’s done.

“Even after 30 years, he’s still pretty active and helps with the small things,” Bloemker said. “It means a lot to us.”

The Paramedic/EMT of the Year was Jeremy Brown.

“There are a whole lot of things that go into this award. It’s not just personality, experience and education. It’s all of those combined,” said Highland EMS Chief Brian Wilson. “Jeremy still comes in with a positive outlook and is the unofficial leader of the department.”

Wilson said Brown, who has been with the department since 2007, is a great mentor and someone he can count on to get the job done, no matter what.

“Every organization has one or two people who are the unofficial leaders who people go to for advice,” Wilson said. “He always takes time for everybody and helps those who need it.”

This story was originally published July 29, 2016 at 8:11 AM with the headline "Highland Optimist Club honors firefighters for their service."