Fulton fireman honored by union

January 16, 2013 at 6:00 a.m. | Updated January 16, 2013 at 6:00 a.m.

Michael Bainbridge poses with an engine at the Tennyson station Monday. Bainbridge was recently named the Firefighter of the Year by the Fulton Professional Firefighters Union.
Michael Bainbridge poses with an engine at the Tennyson station Monday. Bainbridge was recently named the Firefighter of the Year by the Fulton Professional Firefighters Union.

Michael Bainbridge, a Fulton fireman, has received the Fulton Professional Firefighters Firefighter of the Year Award.

The award was presented recently by the Fulton Professional Firefighters Union Local 2945.

Todd Gray, union president, said each year the union nominates candidates for the award. "The one with the most votes wins the award," Gray said.

Bainbridge said the award means a lot to him because he was chosen for the award by the people working with him.

The Firefighter of the Year award was started by the union four years ago.

The first fireman to receive the award in 2009 was Engineer Gene Nelson.

Capt. Carl Stassel was the next to receive the award in 2010.

Then last year Engineer Todd Gray won the 2011 award.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.