In an emergency, always dial 911

Rush Fire Department Answering the call since 1920

Website Work — We are currently re-vamping our website so please pardon any placeholder information, inaccuracies, or glitches.

Above and Beyond

DistinguishedServiceAward

The department's formal recognition of a member's service, dedication, and accomplishments over their years of membership — recognized by the Chiefs and the Social Officers, and not conferred every year.

The award

What it recognizes

The Distinguished Service Award acknowledges a member's service, dedication, and accomplishments to the department over their years of membership. It is not given on a fixed schedule — some years no award is given at all.

Recipients are recognized by the Chiefs and the Social Officers. There is no public nomination process or membership vote — the award reflects a judgment by department leadership that a member's sustained contributions warrant formal recognition.

Eligibility spans the full range of membership: active firefighters, EMTs, fire police, social members, and Ladies Auxiliary. When the award is given, the recipient's name is inscribed on the permanent roll maintained in the station and on this page.

Recognition

How the award is given

  1. 01

    Recognized by leadership

    The Chiefs and Social Officers identify a member whose years of service, dedication, and accomplishments warrant formal recognition. There is no nomination form or public process.

  2. 02

    Not given every year

    The award is not on an annual schedule. Some years no one receives it. It is given when there is a member whose contributions clearly warrant it — not on a calendar.

  3. 03

    Permanent record

    Recipients are inscribed on the permanent roll maintained at the station and on this page — a lasting acknowledgment of their contribution to this department.

Most recent award — 2020

Most recent recipient

Photo — awaiting portrait
Photo — awaiting portrait
Distinguished Service Award — 2020

Dick
Crawford

The Distinguished Service Award acknowledges a member's service, dedication, and accomplishments to the department over their years of membership. Dick Crawford is the most recent recipient, recognized by the Chiefs and Social Officers in 2020.

Complete roll

Past Recipients

Listed in reverse chronological order. Years without an award are not listed — the award has not been given every year.

  1. 2020

    Dick Crawford

  2. 2019

    Jenna Merdak

  3. 2013

    Steve Winner

  4. 2012

    Tom Cusker

  5. 2012

    Diana Pfersick

  6. 2009

    Dan Monaghan

  7. 2008

    Bev Smith

  8. 2007

    Clem Bayer

  9. 2006

    Peter Henry

  10. 2005

    Jim Bucci

  11. 2004

    Dale Sweet

  12. 2003

    Charles Heisig

  13. 2002

    J. Sheppard

  14. 2001

    Mike Terzo Sr.

  15. 2000

    Wayne Burdett

  16. 1999

    D. Fanning

  17. 1998

    Carey Dell

  18. 1997

    Roger Tobey

  19. 1996

    J. Princehorn

  20. 1995

    Larry Meston

  21. 1994

    Paul Sheppard

  22. 1993

    Dick Meese

  23. 1992

    Ron Faugh

  24. 1991

    Bob Faugh

  25. 1990

    Tom Krenzer

  26. 1989

    Dick Wheeler

  27. 1988

    Bob Lonthair

  28. 1987

    Lynn Mack

  29. 1986

    Alvin Sweet

  30. 1985

    Donald Bock

  31. 1984

    Tony Rossi

  32. 1983

    Robert Bock

  33. 1982

    Charles Flutts

  34. 1981

    Oscar Dell

  35. 1980

    Les Faugh

  36. 1979

    Vince Behnk

36 recipients, 1979–2020. Not given every year — recognized by the Chiefs and Social Officers when warranted.

Service worth recognizing

It starts the same way
for everyone

Every person on that award roll started at a drill night with no experience and no idea it would lead here. The department provides the training, the gear, and the people. What it cannot provide is you.

Become a Volunteer
Life Members