BRENHAM FD NAMES FIREFIGHTER OF YEAR
(courtesy Brenham Fire Dept.)
The Brenham Fire Department has announced its 2020 Firefighter of the Year.
Ronald Bentke received the honor at the department’s business meeting last week, following the cancellation of its Christmas Party and Awards Banquet.
Bentke has now been named Firefighter of the Year three times, previously receiving the recognition in 2000 and 2010.
(courtesy Brenham Fire Dept.)
Bentke joined the department in 1992, and served as District Chief prior to being elected to the position of First Assistant in 2010. He attained his Master Firefighter Certification from the State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association, Accredited Advanced Firefighter, Fire Officer I, Instructor I, Hazmat Technician, Wildland Firefighter, Vehicle Extrication Technician, and Incident Safety Officer.
(courtesy Brenham Fire Dept.)
Bentke oversees the maintenance at the Fireman’s Training Center and Fire Museum, heads the department’s annual fish fry, and is very active in all department fundraisers.
Also at last week’s business meeting, special retirement plaques were presented to Karl Goessler and John Schulze. Goessler is retiring after 35 years with the Brenham Fire Department, and Schulze is retiring after 34 years of service.
Service awards were also given to:
- Stacie Oberrender and Jonathan Schramm – 5 years with the Brenham Fire Department.
- Stephen Draehn, Robert Mantey and Justin Schroeder – 10 years.
- Kyle HuVar and Josh Sebastian – 15 years.
- Gene Swonke – 20 years.
- Karl Goessler – 35 years.
- Mascots: Brayden Scheffer and Lantz Thomas.