By Kim McDarison

State Sen. Steve Nass and State Rep. Ellen Schutt arrived at the Whitewater Municipal Building Tuesday to announce that Whitewater Fire Chief Kelly Freeman has been named “First Responder of the Year” within Assembly District 31.

Several members the city’s fire department attended the brief ceremony held during the meeting.

The state officials presented Freeman with a plaque and made statements about his and the department’s achievements during the Whitewater Common Council meeting.

At the podium, Schutt said that each year the state Assembly honors first responders, with each Assembly district choosing a First Responder of the Year.

“The 31st Assembly District took nominations from across the district, and we received many nominations,” she said. This year, she said, she and Nass decided to honor every first responder nominated. She noted that Whitewater Common Council member Brienne Brown nominated Freeman for the recognition.

Recognizing Freeman and the attending firefighters, Schutt said: “I just wanted personally to say thank you … you guys signed up to serve the community and keep us safe, and your sacrifices, with time away from your family, and really your own personal safety when you are responding to a call, is so important. So, I’m grateful to be here.”

Nass, too, offered words about firefighting, saying that he began his political career as a councilperson in Whitewater,  adding: “it’s always nice to be back.”

Addressing firefighters in the room, he said: “What a great job you did, and you know a few people, quite frankly, myself included, know what it’s like to face the searing heat of a fire, or the ice cold of winter, when you have to go out in the middle of the night.”

He talked about the uncertainty of the job, quoting from a plaque found, he said, in New York city, which related the words: “‘This could be the night,’ you just never know — you never know. There are so many uncertainties in life … but one of the certainties is, if I have to dial 911 because of a fire, you guys will respond, with certainty.”

Nass spoke of his belief, he said, that people should strive to “count, to matter, to stand for something.” He thanked members of the Whitewater Fire Department for their commitment to the community.

Accepting his award, Freeman said: “The strength of every structure  begins with a solid foundation. The chief of the department is at the top of the organizational structure. The well-trained men and women in the tranches responding to the calls for service are the ones who continue to build on this foundation that was started in 1871. They are the ones who deserve this recognition.”

Additionally, Freeman said, “this department wouldn’t be what it is today without the continued support of City Manager (John) Weidl, the (Whitewater) Common Council, the citizens of the city of Whitewater, and the townships we serve.”

Freeman said earlier in his career, after he received a promotion to streets superintendent, he was planning to let his EMS license expire, but, he added, “my late wife politely forced me to keep my license because she said, and I quote: ‘you worked hard for that license and it’s foolish to let it go. You will need it again someday.’”

His wife “pushed” him to complete his certification to become a fire and EMS service instructor, Freeman said, adding: “once again, she knew more than I did.” 

He credited his family with providing the support required to “do this job.”

Freeman said three individuals “greatly influenced” his career. He cited his father, from whom, he said, he inherited his work ethic; a “friend and mentor,” retired Assistant Chief Bob Gabby, whom, he said, “took a chance on me 18 years ago,” and his “Fire I instructor,” Mike Koch, whom, he said, became a “a good friend, a brother.”