The Big Bear City Fire Department has two new paid-call firefighters on staff, and Fire Chief Jeff Willis had planned to present them with their badges at last night’s Community Services District meeting—though, duty called for PCF Justin Ploense, so he was unable to be present at the April 6 meeting. The department’s other new PCF, Brandon Willis, was present though, and with his family on hand. As Chief Willis explained, “He’s related to me; he’s my oldest son.” The younger Willis has been doing his EMT training off the hill, and in January was hired by the Big Bear City Fire Department, which has since put him through over 230 hours of task-specific training. Upon presentation of Brandon’s PCF badge, dad Jeff said, “I know you’re going to do well, and I am very proud of you.” Chief Willis is also proud of two long-time firefighters, Bill Barnett and Tony Huefner, both of whom have earned the Meritorious Service Ribbon from the San Bernardino County Fire Chiefs Association. As Barnett, too, was called to duty, it was Captain Huefner who received the distinguished honor from the chief, also his childhood friend and Big Bear High School classmate. Chief Willis explained that, County-wide, only 12 Meritorious Service Ribbons have been presented, and three of those to Big Bear City firefighters. Huefner was recognized for having been instrumental in bringing the now-recurring first aid and CPR classes to Big Bear Valley back in 1982, among many other contributions to the department, including being a Fire Officer for the State of California and a Certified HazMat Technician. “You’ve got a pretty good collection now,” Willis noted, as he presented Huefer with his award. And, added CSD Director Rick Ollila, “We’ll never be able to quantify your efforts, but thank you for being that involved.”
