Rotary Club Fire Person of the Year-2006:
MARK GRAEVE
The Award Committee announced Mark Graeve the Rotary Club’s Outstanding Firefighter for 2006. Mark, a 12 year veteran of the Des Moines Fire Department, is a Senior Fire Medic who is currently assigned to Station 3 on the 1st Division. Mark has been serving selflessly on the squad for nine years. During this time he has helped an enormous number of people. For example, two years before when Mark was on duty, working at the Junior Olympics, when one of the men who worked at Veterans Auditorium had a heart attack. Mark quickly responded and was able to begin definite treatment that resulted in saving the man’s life. Mark has performed his duties without complaint and has been able inspire others to do the same. During his time on the squad Mark has mentored many students. He is a positive influence to them, not only in regards to their education, but also to their attitude towards the patients and the job in general. Mark accepts all tasks assigned to him willingly and always performs his duties in a professional manner. Whenever there is work to be done, Mark must be there until it is completed. Mark’s professionalism, work ethic, and selfless service are in keeping with the highest traditions of the fire service and reflect great credit upon himself and the entire Des Moines Fire Department.
Mark believes that continued education is imperative in order to provide excellent emergency medical care to his constituency. He consistently takes it upon himself to study manuals, EMS guidelines and other fire related educational materials. Additionally, he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with concentration in Fire Science from Western Illinois University in May 2003.
Mark proudly protected the freedoms of his country while serving in the Iowa National Guard for over 22 years and eventually retired at the rank of Sergeant First Class. His military career also includes a period from June, 1979 until October, 1991, as an active duty member of the U.S. Marine Corps.
He spends his spear time working as a part time paramedic in the Emergency Department at Broadlawn’s Medical Center, volunteering for his church, and spending time with his family.
According to him, he tries to put himself in the place of the people who are in dire straights, when he is on alarms. By doing so, he becomes more empathetic and this helps him to treat people as he would want to be treated himself.
As a provider of emergency services, Senior Fire Medic Graeve’s compassion; integrity; professionalism; and dedication to the mission of the Des Moines Fire Department is reflected in his work.
Firehouse Magazine Rescue Award Winners for 2002
COBB ANTHONY
Firefighter Anthony Cobb was working his second job as a sheriff’s deputy when he heard the dispatch of Brewer units to a mobile home fire. Just after three minutes Cobb arrived at the scene in his sheriff’s cruiser. The center of the trailer was aflame. A neighbor told him that two people were inside. With no protective equipment Cobb entered the structure. Smoke forced him to crawl low to the floor. He saw a man’s hand through the smoke, grabbed it, and began to drag the 220 pound victim back to the door. Cobb was overcome by smoke and had to leave the trailer to get fresh air.
He immediately returned, grabbed the victim, and dragged him out the door to the ground. Cobb reentered the trailer to search for the second victim, but heat and smoke drove him out. As he clerked the front door the entire trailer flashed over. Although his own breathing passages were scorched and he was suffering from first degree burns, Cobb and bystanders dragged the victim to a safe area. At this point fire units arrived on scene and the victim was transported to the hospital. Although his pulse was restored in the ambulance he did not survive his injuries.
Hillsborough County Firefighter of The Year Award
Patty Traina
At a high point in her career in 1997, when Patty Traina had just become the first woman to win the Hillsborough County Firefighter of the Year Award, she was diagnosed with Stage IV non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Her doctor told her if she had anything left she wanted to do; she'd better do it because nothing could be done to help her.
A woman who lived and breathed her job as a firefighter, Patti had to think about what she might do next because even her most positive doctor felt that she would not be able to handle the demands of firefighting when she was finished with treatment. So while she was recovering, Patti trained as a paramedic.
During her absence from the fire department, her work mates continued to visit, bring food, make sure the family had what it needed and keep her updated. And, with a great recovery and an emergency medical technician certification in hand, Patti Traina went back to the Hillsborough County Fire Department two-and-a-half years after she left. She was again a firefighter and now also a paramedic.
Carnegie Medal
BRAIN ROTHELL
An ordinary mountain bike ride turned into a call-to-duty for Chesterfield County, Va. Firefighter Brian Rothell last year. The 18-year Virginia firefighter encountered a man attempting suicide on the Nickel Bridge in Richmond, Va. on March 25, 2006, who he helped save from taking a 50-foot plunge. For his display of heroism, Rothell was recently awarded with the Carnegie Medal.
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