Twenty-seven-year-old Kevin Hunter has worked at three fire departments and has a lengthy list of certifications, but it is initiative that earned him the Firefighter of the Year honor at the Burleson Fire Department’s annual awards banquet Jan. 14.
Hunter’s lieutenant, Jeremiah Lozier, said Hunter “goes beyond the normal duties that are given. He and his fellow firefighters handle medical reports, assist with bunker gear, do pre-plans at businesses and handle inspection duties. Not only does he complete what is required of him, but he and the crew take on extra projects that will better the whole department.”
Hunter is a Burleson native. He graduated from the Northwest Regional Fire Academy in 2006. The award winner worked for the South Padre Island Fire Department in 2007, the Liberty Hill Fire Department in 2007-09, and then was hired as a career firefighter for the Burleson Fire Department in April 2009.
“This is where I am from and all of my family is from,” Hunter said. “I knew Burleson was a great department with a lot of growth.”
Two cousins are in the firefighting field. Brandon Whitney is a firefighter-paramedic with the Plano Fire Department and Bryan Whitney is an engineer-paramedic with the Hurst Fire Department.
“Brandon is the one who got me into firefighting,” Hunter said. “He helped me through the fire academy and EMT school. He is also the one who gave me advice and helped me through the testing processes.”
Hunter is certified as an EMT-Intermediate, intermediate firefighter, swift water rescue technician, driver-operator, fire instructor 1 and rope rescue operations.
The award winner and his wife, Laura Hunter, have a 1-year-old son, Aiden Hunter.
Local News
Related Photos
-
From left are Battalion Fire Chief Brent Batla, Fire Chief Gary Wisdom, Firefighter Kevin Hunter and Battalion Fire Chief Tom Foster. Courtesy photo
Discussion
BFD’s Hunter named Firefighter of the Year
- Local News
-
-
Officials, residents remember those who gave it all
A robust breeze alleviated the heat somewhat Monday morning at Cleburne Memorial Cemetery, but also played pandemonium with the setting up of a memorial table for POW and MIA veterans. Wind tipped a vase holding a single rose shattering it on the pavement. A hastily retrieved replacement held out but at one point toppled causing water to spill inches shy of the public announcement speaker.
-
A mother’s love, one day at a time
To everyone else, it was a regular Thursday. It was almost the weekend, almost summer break, time for vacation or time with family.
-
Candidates vie for Pct. 2, 3 seats
County voters will weigh in on three Johnson County Commissioners Court seats up for election on Tuesday. In addition to the five-candidate Precinct 1 race, voters living in precincts 2 and 3 will also vote for the commissioner of their choice.
-
Primary could decide constables
Ten candidates, all Republican, compete in their four respective precincts in the May 29 primary. With no Democratic opponents to face in November’s general election, the primary should decide the winner of all but one possible race.
-
Voters urged to check for possible precinct changes
Because of redistricting as required by the 2010 Census, Johnson County experienced some changes effective Jan. 1, said Patty Bourgeois, Johnson County Elections administrator.
-
Early voting numbers well short of ’08
Early voting turnout in Johnson County’s Democratic and Republican primaries totaled 3,914 as of Friday morning. That total includes 309 votes in the Democratic Primary and 3,605 in the Republican Primary.
-
Yellow Jackets headed to finals
GRAHAM — The Wichita Falls Rider pitching staff swam with sharks for most of five innings Friday, avoiding all but a few love taps and playful nips from Cleburne batters.
-
Changes at Splash Station
Splash Station officially opens for the summer season this weekend, and those who frequented the park in years past may notice some modifications.
-
Dang Gym steps up for injured Cleburne officer
Though he remains wheelchair bound for now with braces on his neck and left leg, Cleburne police officer Aaron Beseda gave a thumbs up Wednesday at the Dang Gym in Cleburne.
-
Cowan discusses being police chief, Burleson’s crime rate
Police Chief Tom Cowan, 63, said he believes the key to developing safe neighborhoods begins with the community. It’s an idea he’s developed in his more than 40 years serving in law enforcement.
- More Local News Headlines
-
