Mt. Angel recognizes family of firefighters
Published: January 5, 2006
In small towns, firefighters often have ties stronger than that of putting out fires or saving lives together.
That brotherhood of men and women is sometimes trumped by real family connections.
In Mount Angel, the fire district recently recognized a family tradition of firefighting service that spans two generations.
During the district’s annual Christmas party Dec. 17, father and son team Bill and Brett Hauth were awarded the Firefighter of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards, respectively.
“One of the things that we have in Mount Angel is families that have dedicated years and generations to service,” Mount Angel Fire Chief Don Fleck said. “This is the beginning of another one.”
Bill, 42, first joined the department two years ago.
“It was a late decision,” Bill said. He started after friend and medic Carmen Hagenauer explained how the department works, what he’d be doing and the importance of the service to the community.
“I kick myself for not doing it years ago,” Bill said.
He made sure Brett didn’t make the same mistake.
“Between him and my boss, Tony Morris,” Brett said, “I got a little push. (Dad) set an application on my bed.”
Both men said they love the work for many different reasons.
“It’s definitely the chance to help other people,” Brett said.
“And a chance to benefit the community,” Bill added.
The Hauths also enjoy the chance to work together and with other men like themselves.
“It’s a great bunch of guys here,” Bill said. “You’re among a bunch of people who give so much.”
The yearly fire district awards are voted on by members of the department, who look for how many times volunteers show up for calls and what kind of projects they’re involved in.
Fleck said the Hauths have been a big part of both categories this past year.
“Both the guys have been extremely involved in different projects in the department,” Fleck said.
Fleck said Bill is heading up a project to revamp all the operating guidelines, the written documents that dictate department procedure.
Bill said it’s a huge, ongoing project. Some of the information hasn’t been updated for 20 years or more.
“It’s sort of like the Mount Angel Fire District Bible,” Bill said.
Brett has been actively training as a firefighter and has just joined the district safety committee. The first-year firefighter has also spent a lot of time working on an antique fire engine donated to the district by Stu Rasmussen, co-owner of the Palace Theatre in Silverton and owner of Mount Angel Performing Arts Center.
“It’s a work in progress,” Brett said.
Fleck said the annual party is an opportunity for the department to recognize and thank the volunteers that keep it going.
“In a community of Mount Angel’s size we just couldn’t do it without volunteers,” Fleck said. “Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, these guys are willing to risk their lives for their neighbors. And they do it at the drop of the hat.”
The department currently has 40 volunteers, but Fleck said it should have a few more signing up leading into 2006.
“They work hard to make the department work,” Fleck said, adding each volunteer spends hundreds of hours making sure the department is running well and that all calls are answered.
Bill said he was surprised to be singled out from all the dedicated volunteers.
“You can look and see so many people who do so much,” Bill said. “It’s tough because there’s only one award to give.”
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