Fountain Hills Rotary Club marked its 24th year of honoring first responders who serve the surrounding area at its luncheon on Tuesday, March 12.

Club member James Donahue II organized the event for the club that brings together agencies serving Fountain Hills, Fort McDowell and Rio Verde.

“We have a great appreciation for our first responders and take great pleasure in honoring them,” Donahue said.

Fountain Hills-Rural/Metro Fire Chief Dave Ott introduced Chris Stringfellow as the Firefighter of the Year for Fountain Hills.

Stringfellow has nearly 40 years in the fire service and has been with Rural/Metro since 1985. He works for the company as a dispatcher.

“This is the guy we want on the air if things are going bad,” Ott said. “He is calming in a stressful situation and anticipates your needs in the field.”

Stringfellow is also part of the Rural/Metro stress management team that assists firefighters who have been through difficult calls and situations.

Stringfellow said he has a most satisfying job and appreciates being able to look after the crews in the field.

“You have an amazing group of people working in Fountain Hills,” Stringfellow said.

MCSO Lt. Cristian Dever introduced Sgt. Mike Lawson as Officer of the year for Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office in Fountain Hills.

Lawson has been in Fountain Hills for a number of years working as patrol deputy, squad sergeant and now administrative sergeant.

Dever said a lot of what Lawson is doing now goes unnoticed because he is not spending much time in the field, but he keeps the office supplied, manages training schedules and acts as a liaison with town government and the school district.

“He is always ready and willing to help cover for other shifts and does an awesome job,” Dever said.

Fort McDowell Police Chief Jesse Crabtree announced that his Officer of the Year is Manfred Rojas, who was recognized with the Rotary award for the second time in three years.

Rojas was absent from the luncheon, but Crabtree said he is a 15-year veteran with the force. He received a commendation from Fort McDowell Fire for his action in administering CPR to a patient until firefighters arrived.

Crabtree used a quote from President Donald Trump to describe the dedication of Rojas.

“[Public safety personnel] see the worst of humanity and respond with the best of the American Spirit.”

Fort McDowell Fire Chief Mark Openshaw introduced Brandon Flynn as Firefighter of the Year for his department.

Flynn has been with the department since 2015 and has been a very positive influence in the department and the people in the community, Openshaw said.

He is an instructor for the department’s eight-week summer program that introduces youth to the fire service. Flynn also works with community members to facilitate a healthy lifestyle.

Openshaw said he is always willing to step in to cover a shift for a co-worker or fill-in as a captain for a shift.

“[Flynn] has made the commitment to be a positive force with the department and the community,” Openshaw said.

Rio Verde Fire District Chief Jay Ducote said veteran firefighter and Captain Dave Bullard is the Firefighter of the Year for the District.

Bullard has been in the fire service for 36 years with more than a decade at Rio Verde. He handles driver training and live fire training for the Rio Verde crews.

Bullard is also an engine boss for a Rio Verde wildland fire crew. He has spent numerous tours in recent years on fire lines in California.

“It has been a pleasure working with Dave,” Ducote said.

Accompanying a plaque recognizing them as the Rotary officer or firefighter of the year, each honoree received support from the following sponsors: a two-night stay at Fort McDowell WeKoPa Resort, a round of golf at WeKoPa golf course, dinner for two at Phil’s Filling Station in Fountain Hills and gift certificates for Sofrita Restaurant.