​Fireman of the Year


The American Legion, Department of South Carolina will annually award the Department Fireman of the Year Award to a South Carolina fireman. All firemen within the state are eligible for nomination if qualified by the following specifications:


  • Devotion to fireman duties;

  • Self-improvement through educational training in firefighting techniques;

  • Outstanding action above and beyond the normal call of duty;
  • Appearance and ability to promote fire safety to the public.

The Department Law and Order Sub-Committee will review the nominations and select the most outstanding nominee as the “Department Fireman of the Year”. The decision of the committee is final.

Nominations are due in Department Headquarters no later than February 15.

The Post 205 coordinator for this award is our Adjutant, Mike Miranda.

2019 Nominee

Bluffton Shift 2 Battalion Chief, Todd Harvey, wrote the following recommendation for the 2019 nominee, Fire Fighter 3, Duke Novak:

I am nominating Firefighter Duke Novak for Fireman of the year. Duke is an outstanding member of the department and stands out daily as a pillar of our community. Duke has been with the department for over five years. In those five years he has achieved the positions of Engineer and most recently has earned a position on Truck 335. While being placed on Truck 335 he has also earned himself a spot on the Bluffton Township Fire Districts Special Operations Team. Only a small percentage of firefighters in the department are members of this team. The training hours and requirements are long and tedious.

Besides the long hours of training and continuing education, Duke always finds time to keep himself in shape physically. He also finds  time to  volunteer with community events the department holds. This year Duke volunteered his off time to assist with the Santa Truck the department provides to our community. Duke has shined when it comes to the physical fitness aspect of  our  career.  Although he is an older firefighter, he does not let that hinder his ability to stay in shape and out-perform many of his peers. Duke has shown he is committed to physical fitness to be able to keep up with the hard work of being a firefighter. When it comes to education, he sets the standard with keeping himself enrolled in all classes that are available to take. He has even taken classes above his position to prepare himself for future leadership positions.

Bottom line is Duke Novak is an outstanding firefighter and I truly enjoy having him on our shift. I can always count on him and know any tasks I assign to him will be accomplished. I would love to see him awarded this title. Duke is everything we expect from our firefighters at BTFD.