Osnes is 2025 Firefighter of the Year
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The Dunlap Volunteer Fire Department held an awards dinner on Saturday, February 21 to recognize firefighters for their service over the past year and to announce the 2025 Firefighter of the Year.
“The Firefighter of the Year award is voted on each year by members of the department and Alex Osnes was the overwhelming choice for 2025,” said Chief Norman Hatfield. “Alex started through our Junior Firefighter program in 2021 at age 16 and was one those people who was willing to do anything that needed to be done. There was no one within the department that deserved this award any more
than Alex.”
Over 100 firefighters and their families and guests gathered at the Cookie Jar Café, including Dunlap Mayor Dwain Land and several city commissioners.
The evening began with prayer by Fire Department Chaplain Kevin Benoit. After everyone enjoyed a meal and dessert, Fire Chief Norman Hatfield recognized the mayor and city commissioners, thanking them for their constant support of the fire department.
“In the early years of the fire department’s existence, we held fundraisers for financial support and received a lot of support from the community. But, the financial support that we receive from the City of Dunlap has been a tremendous help to the department in recent years. We are very thankful for all they do for us.”
Mayor Land thanked the firefighters for their service and sacrifice, and City Commissioner Judy Layne thanked the fire department on behalf of all the city commissioners.
Hatfield also thanked retired firefighters for their past service and current firefighters and their families for their sacrifice and service this past year.
“2025 was a good year,” said Hatfield. “We didn’t lose any firefighters, no one was hurt, and we gained new members.”
Chief Hatfield recognized firefighters who helped with Fire Prevention Week last year.
“The fire department visited Griffith Elementary School during Fire Prevention Week and spoke to children about fire prevention, what to do in case of an emergency, and how to stop, drop and roll. Children also get to see the inside of a fire truck; that’s always a huge hit with the kids.”
At the end of the dinner, firefighters presented Hatfield with a canvas photo of him in his firefighter uniform, which was followed by the dismissal prayer by Chaplain Benoit.
