Merced-area firefighters of the year to be honored

Nine firefighters from seven departments in Merced County will behonored by their peers Wednesday as 2015 firefighters of the year.

“All of our firefighters do a great job,” Merced County Fire Chief Nancy Koerperich said. “Every year, there are one or two that stand out for going above and beyond for each department and citizenry. This is our opportunity to recognize those firefighters.”

Out of the nine firefighters, four are career and five are paid call or volunteers.

Los Banos engineer Mark Frontella, Merced County Fire Capt. David Scheurich, Atwater Fire Capt. Bobby Ayuso and City of Merced Fire Capt. Chad Englert are being honored this year.

Los Banos volunteer Lt. Tommy Flynn, Merced County volunteer Chief Frank Compton III, Livingston volunteer Chief David Bates, Dos Palos paid call firefighter Sean Davis and Gustine paid call firefighter Kacey Garcia were also honored with the distinction.

Los Banos Fire Chief Tim Marrison said the city’s firefighters of the year are exemplary individuals.

Frontella has been with the department for 24 years, starting out as a volunteer, Marrison said.

“He took on a number of projects in the department,” Marrison said, including maintenance of vital equipment such as gas detectors and ladders.

Flynn has been a very active volunteer for nine years, Marrison said, noting that Flynn participates in almost all of the department’s training and has been active on assignments fighting fires throughout the state.

“He has performed at such a level this past year,” Marrison said. “I’m very proud of both of these guys.”

The firefighters will be recognized at a dinner event starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the American Legion Post #83, 939 W. Main St. in Merced. Tickets to the event for the public are available at the door for $10 each.

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 3:58 PM with the headline "Merced-area firefighters of the year to be honored."