Awards

The Elsmere Firefighter of the Year Award is typically presented in March at the Nathaniel Adams Blanchard Post 1040 annual Community Service Awards ceremony. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be announcing our 2021 nominee for the first time today...

This award has been given over the years for a variety of reasons, but the common theme is dedication to the residents of the district we serve, commitment to the training we receive, and continuous acts of selflessness. This year’s nominee displays all of these characteristics and consistently goes above and beyond his call to duty.

When used as a verb, the word “Dedicated” means: to devote time, effort, and oneself to a particular task or purpose. When describing an individual as “dedicated to the residents of the district we serve”, it’s difficult not to immediately think of this member. Almost instantly after an alarm is dispatched, there is hardly a time when you haven’t heard his voice on the air or seen him in one of our fire trucks responding. Therefore, it was as natural as breathing that our nominee sprang in to action on June 20, 2020. After clearing a routine fire alarm call on this day, our nominee was in the radio room finishing up some paperwork when an EMS call came in over the radio for an ECHO response to a home on Lincoln Avenue in the Elsmere Fire District. An ECHO call is the highest priority EMS call and typically indicates that the patient is in need of rapid care. As volunteer firefighters, we are all trained in CPR and first aid, however the vast majority of us hope we never have to put these skills to use. But without hesitation, our nominee responded to the EMS call knowing he may be the first to arrive on the scene. With Lincoln Avenue only around the corner from the firehouse his response and efforts were critical to the patient, a female in her mid 60’s in cardiac arrest. Our nominee arrived on the scene along with a Delmar EMT and they immediately started CPR. While our nominee performed CPR, the Delmar EMT prepped the patient for the arrival of the ambulance and use of the AED. After the ambulance arrived and the automated chest compression device was fitted to the patient, our nominee moved from a position of CPR to bagging the patient. He continued in this mode while the ambulance crew and Paramedic successfully got vitals back on the patient and transported her to the hospital.

The patient was treated in the hospital ICU for approximately two weeks before sadly, passing away from the incident. However, this additional time, undoubtedly difficult, allowed the family to prepare and say goodbye to their loved one.

It’s these acts of kindness and selflessness that made choosing this year’s nominee an easy decision. In addition to his actions we have mentioned, this year’s nominee is an integral part of the Elsmere Fire Company. He’s been an active member of the Company since March 25, 2004, where he hit the ground running. Just a few months later could be seen driving down Bender Lane qualifying on Squad 33, and he has been actively involved in all aspects of the company ever since. He has served as Lay Chaplain and has been a Lieutenant for the past 14 years, being first elected 3rd Lieutenant in 2007. He is the 2006 Kevin M. Shea Firematic Participation Award recipient and has shown no signs of slowing down since, as he continues to be a top responder nearly every year. In addition to his duties as 1st Lieutenant, he organizes all of our fire prevention details and serves as the unofficial “public relations officer” of the Elsmere Fire Company, as well as the most competitive Inspection Team Lt. in the Company. For this year’s nominee, firefighting is a family affair. He currently serves alongside his father in-law and oldest son who are also some of our most dedicated members.

His selfless actions that day made a difference for the family and for the EMS crew, because through his training and quick action, he gave them all a chance for a better outcome. For his actions on that June day, and countless other reasons,

Ladies and Gentlemen, please join me in honoring Lt. Michael A. Moon, as we proudly select him as this year’s nominee for Firefighter of the Year.