BRENHAM FIREFIGHTERS NAMED 100 CLUB’S FIREFIGHTERS OF THE YEAR
(courtesy Brenham Fire Dept.)
Two members of the Brenham Fire Department have received a prestigious award.
Firefighters Gene Swonke and Lance Weiss were recognized Tuesday for being named Firefighters of the Year, part of the 100 Club’s annual Heroes Awards. Only 25 firefighters were selected from the club’s 18-county area in Texas for this year’s award.
The recognition comes after the two saved the life of a woman whose home caught on fire on New Year’s Eve of 2020.
The fire department says firefighters were dispatched after a resident called using her life alert necklace because she was unable to escape the home. Prior to the arrival of a fire engine, Swonke and Weiss arrived off-duty to the scene, made entry—despite not having protective gear—and removed the victim after hearing her calling from inside the home. She had been unable to self-evacuate, as her walker had caught on fire.
As Swonke tended to the victim, Weiss re-entered the house to attempt to control what turned out to be three separate fires in the home, originating from the stove. When the fire engine arrived, the fire was confined to the kitchen and easily extinguished. The homeowner was able to return home that night.
During an awards banquet, the firefighters received an engraved axe, a black leather helmet with the 100 Club logo, a photo session, and a program booklet with their names, photo and nomination story. They also received tickets to the 2022 awards banquet.