The annual Sanilac County Emergency Services Field Day was held last weekend (July 14), with over 200 people in attendance at Shriners Park near Carsonville. Several awards were presented recognizing the efforts of police, fire, EMS, dispatchers and citizens. The President’s Award was given to Sandusky Fire Chief Todd Hillman who has served as the County’s Emergency Management Director the past 15 years. He has 31 years of service on the fire department, 23 as Chief.
A special Bronze Award was presented to the family of Stuart Stoutenberg, a former Deckerville fireman for 55 years. Stoutenberg passed away last year.
Firefighter of the Year went to longtime Elk Township Fire Chief Ernie Kilgus who has been a firefighter for 47 years. Kilgus has served as Chief for 36 years and has been instrumental in assisting for federal and state funding for fire equipment for the department.
Dispatcher of the Year honors were given to Michelle O’Bee who provided life-saving instructions to family members and police officers while CPR was being performed on a victim in Brown City last year. She is being credited with helping save the life of the victim who survived the emergency.
Carl Ulfig, 53, of Sandusky received the Citizen of the Year award for his efforts of saving the life of a man who was boating in Lake Huron last year and began taking on water. Ulfig, and others aboard his boat, assisted the man out of the water and brought him to rescue personnel on the shore at the Lexington Harbor.
Four people received EMT of the Year honors for their life-saving effforts, rescuing an 18-year old who did not resurface after diving off the breakwall in the Port Sanilac Harbor June 17th. Amy Herke, Chad Schmidt, Doug Moran and Brian Moran Jr. all played a key role in the successful rescue of the teen. The victim survived the incident and continues to recover.
Following a major police incident in Sanilac County last fall during a botched armed home invasion, law enforcement officers from throughout the County responded to a residence in Greenleaf Township. The Sanilac County Sheriff Department Detective Division, Uniform Service Deputies and t he Drug task Force team all were honored for their part in the case, earning Law Enforcement Officer of the Year honors.
