Maricopa paramedic Chazz Dupree and Maricopa firefighter Dusty Jenkins were moonlighting for an ambulance company in Tempe nearly four months ago when their natural instincts took over, resulting in the pair saving a man's life. “We were just driving around and saw a plume of smoke and decided to find its source,” Dupree said. The source was a Tempe home, and the two were the first to arrive on scene. “When we got there, we saw a woman running around outside and heavy black smoke coming from the structure,” Dupree said. “We could not enter through the door of the home so we looked into the windows and saw a man walking in the hallway.” The pair opened a window and were able to guide the man with their voices out of the home; they also rescued the man's dog. They didn’t know if the man would have made it out on his own as he appeared to be disoriented and more concerned with finding his dog than getting out himself. It was for this action that Dupree received the paramedic of the year award and Jenkins the firefighter of the year award from the local Veterans of Foreign War Post 12043 on Thursday. “Chazz and Dusty exemplify the courage and honor the fire department stands for; I can’t say enough good things about these two,” said Maricopa fire chief Wade Brannon. The awards ceremony honoring both public servants and teachers was the first of its kind hosted in Maricopa by the local VFW. “We wanted to honor those that make a difference in our everyday lives,” said former VFW post commander Bernie Crouse. In addition to honoring Dupree and Jenkins the VFW presented awards to Michael Turey and Christina Schriber for elementary teacher of the year, Cara Rude for middle school teacher of the year and Melissa Drane for police officer of the year. “I am truly honored; I love teaching and making a difference in children’s lives,” Schrieber said. Cara Rude added, “I feel truly honored and privileged to receive this award.” “These teachers are a moving presence in our children’s lives and are helping to shape our future leaders,” Crouse said. “It is an honor to present them with these awards.” The VFW received multiple nominations for the award from school principals and public safety leadership, but narrowed the recipients down to six through a selection committee. While the teachers were nominated for their teaching prowess and the fire department employees for their lifesaving actions, the award for police officer of the year revolved around the exemplary commitment Drane showed in the past year. Drane, the city’s first K-9 officer, was nominated by the department for going above and beyond duty, putting in countless hours off the clock to help in training and the launch and care for the city’s first K-9 unit. “Melissa suffered numerous injuries, was bitten multiple times and never fluctuated from her get it done attitude,” said Maricopa police chief KirkFitch “She was at work every day and put in the time off the clock to help make this K-9 unit a success.” “She has a tremendous super positive attitude and is a fine example of the type of officers in the Maricopa Police Department,” he added. Crouse said he hopes to turn the award ceremony into an annual event and eventually hopes the recognition could turn around some of the negativity about the police department. “Too often all we hear about Maricopa Police Department is bad mouth, but they are doing a marvelous job,” he said. (Pictured left to right: MPD Chief Kirk Fitch, Interim MFD Chief Wade Brannon, Public Safety Director Patrick Melvin, Paramedic Chazz Dupree, Firefighter Dusty Jenkins, and former VFW post commander Bernie Crouse) Photo by Michael K. Rich |