Service club honors Van Buren fire captain as firefighter of year
Baxter and Stewart givenlife achievement awards
The Northside Exchange Club of Bloomington honored a Van Buren fire captain as the county’s firefighter of the year, and awarded two lifetime achievement awards during a recent ceremony at the American Legion.
Van Buren fire Capt. William Tusing was named firefighter of the year for his leadership and tireless efforts.
“He will be the first to don his gear and go fight a fire, but realizes this is just one layer of what a firefighter does. He defines what a firefighter is,” Van Buren Fire Chief Charles Hill wrote in his nomination letter for Tusing.
The 15-year-veteran of the department often can be found at the station, even on his days off. He manages the construction of a new training facility, works as a skilled and frugal mechanic on firetrucks and other equipment and serves as a mentor to firefighters of all ages and experience levels.
“Bill used his natural mechanical ability to create our off the road vehicle, just recently used in an airplane crash,” Hill wrote.
The David Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to two firefighters, Jack Baxter of the Ellettsville Fire Department and Assistant Chief David Stewart of the Van Buren Fire Department.
Baxter has volunteered for the Ellettsville department for more than 43 years, most recently as an assistant chief.
“Jack has had his fair share of medical issues and he always has bounced back and when he does, he comes back more powerful than before,” Ellettsville Fire Chief Mike Cornman wrote in his nomination letter for Baxter.
In his 40 years of service, Stewart has worked an estimated 4,800 shifts and more than 100,000 hours at the Van Buren Department. As the department’s assistant chief the past five years, Stewart is known for his meticulous attention to detail in record keeping and report writing.
He’s also known for being humble.
“Dave’s 40 years have crept up quietly, just as his demeanor would suggest. His no-frills, no-fanfare-needed attitude shows his unassuming commitment to the station,” Hill wrote in his nomination letter for Stewart.
