Brighton Area Fire Authority Honors Firefighter of the Year

The Brighton Area Fire Authority (BAFA) honored Sgt. Michel Harris as Firefighter of the Year on Friday during its annual awards ceremony.

Harris, who was also promoted during the ceremony, first began working as a firefighter in 2008.

Brighton Area Fire Chief Michael O'Brian said that because Harris has only been with the authority four years, the award is a huge honor.

"We've got 90 some firefighters that come in and out," he said. "Some of them go their whole career and never have a chance at being Firefighter of the Year. Because Mike's been with us such a short time, it shows the kind of man he is."

"Words just can't explain it," Harris said about his award. "It's a great organization to be a part of"

Harris said becoming a firefighter was something he always wanted to do because it ran in the family; his father was a firefighter in Romulus and now his son is a part of BAFA as well.

O'Brian said the Firefighter of the Year is picked by the senior staff.

"We look for standout person, a go to person in the organization," O'Brian said. "Really we look for a person that amplifies what being a firefighter is all about: integrity, high honor and great skill level. They're the ones that if you're in trouble, you want to come get you. Mike is absolutely that."

During the ceremony, Harris was given a plaque award as well as a special leather helmet.

"It's a true safe helmet," O'Brian said. "Back in the day, a lot of people used to use those. Now we've gone to a more composite material, so it kind of stands out. They can put it on the wall or wear it to fires. That leather helmet is a symbol that we use to say that being Firefighter of the Year never goes away."

Brighton Area Firefighters Honored

Station Firefighters of the Year

• Station 31: Sgt. Chris Benedict
• Station 32: Firefighter Engineer Colin Tunison
• Station 33: Firefighter APO Steve Hoyer
• Station 34: Firefighter Engineer Joe Daniel
• Station 35: Firefighter Engineer Don Bignall

Promotions to Captain:

• James Corcoran
• Donald Hall
• Ryan Sovey

Promotions to Lieutenant

• Lauren Brookins
• Richard Boisvert

Promotions to Sergeant

• Kevin Cote
• Michel Harris

Promotions to Engineer

• Jacob Andrews
• Don Bignall
• Nicholas Didyk
• Aaron Gage
• Matt Mardeusz
• John Masek
• Ryan Smith
• Colin Tunison
• Bryant Zamensky

Promotions to Aerial Platform Operator (APO)

• Derrick Bunge
• Michel Harris

New Brighton Area Firefighters

• Meredith Barkey
• Jacob Cook
• Ken Crawford
• Robert Furlong
• Jordan Gilardone
• Matt Johnston
• Justin Kwolek
• David Mourer
• Sam Oliveri
• Andrew Piskorowski
• Rob Przybylski

Recognition of 5 Years of Service

• Cpt. James Corcoran
• Administrative Assistant Lynda Howard
• APO Steve Hoyer
• Engineer John Masek
• Administrative Assistant Claudette Monroe
• Firefighter David Struble

Recognition of 10 Years of Service

• Cpt. Glen Bailey
• Lt. Lauren Brookins
• Engineer Scott Price
• Cpt. Ryan Sovey

Recognition of 15 Years of Service

• Sgt. Kurt Bluhm
• Cpt. Gregory Mowbray

Recognition of 25 Years of Service

• Cpt. Larry DeWachter