At a March Town Council Meeting, Fire Chief Brandon Skaggs presented the 2024 Firefighter of the Year award to Sergeant Scott Meneou. What followed was a deeply moving moment that reminded everyone in the room of the strong bonds shared within the firefighting community. Instead of accepting the award for himself, Sgt. Meneou chose to honor the memory of Firefighter Michael Mallory, who recently passed away suddenly and tragically. Sgt. Meneou spoke about his time as an instructor at the Firefighter Academy, where he first met Michael. He recalled Michael’s dedication, determination, and outstanding performance throughout his training and into his career with C-Crew. Sgt. Meneou then dedicated the Firefighter of the Year award to Michael, inviting Michael’s parents to the front of the room to accept the award in his honor. It was a heartfelt tribute to a firefighter who made a lasting impact in a short time, and a powerful reminder of the strength and support within the department.