The winner of the 2015 Fireman of the Year award for the Nashville VFD is one of the newer members who has obviously impressed his peers.
Andrew Westfall chosen by secret ballot of department members.
No one is nominated; fireman get a blank piece of paper and write down the name of the person they feel deserves the award the most for the preceding 12 months. The forms are handed in, counted, and the name mentioned the most is the winner.
Westfall works at Tyson Foods. He and his wife, Regina, have three children and one on the way, according to fire chief Jerry Harwell.
It’s not easy to become a member of the volunteer department which was founded in 1924 and has served continuously. New members are voted in as vacancies become open. One veteran explains that the tradition means VFD aspirants must “lobby” active fireman and get to know them. The department is limited to 21 members, and that number was only increased by four members about 15 years ago when several new vehicles were added to the department.
Other awards presented at the department’s annual Christmas party included: Mat Smith, a silver 15-year service pin; and department captains Jimmy Mixon and Hayden Worthington who received gold 20-year service pins. Terry Ray received the attendance award.
Jerry Harwell is the city’s fire marshal and is also the fire chief.
Since the Fireman of the Year Award was started, winners have been:
1987 Roy Blakely
1988 James Daniel
1989 Terry Ray
1990 James Dyer
1991 Cliff Petty
1992 Ronny Woods
1993 Jerry Harwell
1994 Cliff Petty
1995 Roy Blakely
1996 Jimmy Mixon
1997 Bobby Chambers
1998 Jimmy Mixon
1999 Joe Dallas
2000 Gary Funderburk
2001 Alfred Neeley
2002 Matt Smith
2003 Mike Kinkade
2004 Terry Ray
2005 Matt Smith
2006 Jeff Westfall
2007 Jeff Westfall
2008 Jimmy Mixon
2009 Jeff Westfall
2010 Jeff Westfall
2011 Jeff Westfall
2012 Josh Worley
2013 Josh Worley
2014 Russell Sparks
2015 Andrew Westfall
