Neon Nights and Noble Service at Fire Awards Banquet

Big hair, neon colors and a spirit of celebration filled the room Saturday, March 14, as McKenzie Fire & Rescue hosted its 2025 Awards Banquet, honoring the dedication of its volunteers, staff and community supporters.

This year’s theme, “The ’80s,” encouraged attendees to embrace iconic looks inspired by pop culture favorites like Miami Vice and Michael Jackson. The evening blended lighthearted fun with heartfelt recognition, as members and their families gathered to reflect on another year of service to the McKenzie River community.

Fire Chief Darren Bucich took time to recognize not only the district’s volunteers, but also its Board members, Booster Association and special guests for their continued commitment. He also extended appreciation to Mohawk Valley Fire, which provided coverage during the event so local personnel could fully participate in the celebration.

A range of awards highlighted the evening, including Service Awards for 5, 20 and 40 years of commitment, as well as Rookie of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Officer of the Year and the Chief’s Awards.

Bucich emphasized the importance of long-term volunteerism within the district.

“We have an amazing family of volunteers who keep the Fire District operating successfully, and without them, we wouldn’t exist,” he said. “The average length for a volunteer to stay with a fire district is three to five years, and only a handful remain past 10 years. But 25% of our roster has been here longer than 20 years, and 70% between three and 20 years.”

He added that the district remains grateful not only for the volunteers’ dedication, but also for the ongoing support of their families, the Board and Budget Committee, and the Booster Association.

The annual banquet serves as both a celebration and a reminder of the strong community ties that sustain emergency services in the McKenzie River area.