One firefighter was credited for her enthusiasm and “bulldog” attitude and others for their life-saving efforts during a “Badge Pinning” ceremony by the Woodland Fire Department.

Held at the Opera House in downtown Woodland, the historic theater was filled with blue-suited firefighters, along with city officials, families and friends.

Fire Chief Eric Zane led the Thursday afternoon event from the Opera House stage, honoring some for their actions and “pinning” badges on others advancing in rank or position.

He honored firefighter Madelyn Steele, a five-year veteran of the department, with the “Firefighter of the Year” Award.

Zane said the award “honors an individual who excels in their daily duties, completes additional responsibilities and maintains a positive attitude, contributes to the community and helps improve the Fire Department.”

The award was previously presented during a department dinner, but Zane said he “wanted to acknowledge her achievements here today.”

“We’re recognizing Madelyn Steele for her positive attitude, motivation, organizational skills and dedication to the department and the craft,” he said. “Maddy oversees our Explorer Post (911), manages the selection of our new thermal imaging cameras, assists with our rescue program and has helped design our new ladder truck.

“She’s committed to learning, teaching and is an active member of the Sacramento Area Urban Search and Rescue Task Force,” Zane added. “Madelyn is 110% dedicated to this organization. She’s been a stellar firefighter with excellent skills. Among the people she works with they’ll tell you she’s just a bulldog.”

Additionally, a “Life Saving Award” went to firefighter Jacob Fio, who Zane reported, administered cardio-pulmonary resuscitation to a woman experiencing a medical emergency while both were working out separately at a local gymnasium.

Zane said Fio stepped up and used a defibrillator to administer two shocks, which stabilized the woman until other medical personnel could arrive. The woman was treated and is now recovering at home, Zane reported.

A “Company Citation” Award went to captains Jeff Oliver and Travis Zickler and firefighter Nicholas Becker, who administered CPR to West Sacramento Fire Engineer Tim Hall, an 18-year veteran of the department.

Firefighters from West Sacramento, UC Davis and Woodland were at a Sept. 23, 2024, training exercise on the Davis campus when Hall, 59, collapsed. Although he briefly regained consciousness, Hall later died.

Zane said Zickler managed the scene while Oliver and Becker administered “high performance” CPR in the ambulance on their way to the UC Davis Medical Center “giving Hall the best possible chance.”

While the “outcome” of firefighters’ efforts was not what one could hope for, Zane credited the actions of Oliver, Zickler and Becker with providing aid.

Oliver was recognized as a Firefighter of the Year in 2019 by members of American Legion Yolo Post 77.

Hall graduated from the Sacramento Regional Fire Academy in 2006 and also served as a volunteer for the Clarksburg Fire Protection District.

Zane called for a few moments of silence in Hall’s memory.

Receiving a Distinguished Service Award were Trista Kennedy and Morgan, who have specialized in community service work as well as in arson investigations. Earlier that day, according to Zane, both Kennedy and Sanchez assisted other firefighters at a home damaged by fire in Guinda, where a deceased person was discovered. Zane said a preliminary report indicates arson wasn’t the cause of the fire.

Zane called out the entire department for their work in administering CPR. He reported that nationwide, there is only a 10% survival rate of individuals who are administered CPR. However, in Woodland, there’s a 44% chance that a person receiving CPR will survive and that’s the result of fast action by firefighters responding to medical emergencies.

Meanwhile, badges were awarded to Battalion Chief Kevin Kanzler, Fire Marshal Matt Flint, Captain Matt Stokes, Captain Marius Bretan, Engineer Richard Reiff, Engineer David Keller, Engineer Max Elia and Community Specialist Trista Kennedy.

Additionally, firefighters were also recognized for their years of service, including:

25 years: Greg Russell.

10 years: Trevor Moureaux.

20 years: Chief Eric Zane, Matt Stokes, Jason Leblanc, Asha Whipple, Noe Lopez, Andy Lewis, Troy Warren and Sam Kennedy.

5 years: Madelyn Steele and Omar Zuniga.