The Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire Department/Ambulance Service and the Grand Coulee Police Department members and spouses met Saturday night to honor and thank them for their service to the area. The year's activities were recounted, good teamwork the three departments had enjoyed and the fact all the departments had not had any injuries were reported this year. The major wildland fires and large fire in Elmer City with which the volunteers and police officers had been involved were also reviewed. The ambulance is on pace for a record year for number of calls.

Recognition was given Saturday night to Fred Netzel for going on the most ambulance calls, and to Ryan Fish the most fire calls as the Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire Department/Ambulance Service and the Grand Coulee Police Department members and their spouses met to honor and thank all for their service.

The year's activities were recounted too, reported Fire Chief Rick Paris. He said the three departments had enjoyed good teamwork and the fact that none of them had any injuries reported this year.

Netzel also received the "Robert McGuire" EMS Person of the Year award for dedicated service to the ambulance. Kelly Van Sickle was awarded the Fire Department Rookie award. The "Terry Sieker" Firefighter of the Year award was earned by Loryn Alexander for her dedicated work with the fire department in 2018. Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Fish received special recognition for his extra effort and leadership on the large fires last summer.

During the party, Ron and Penny Rosenberg were honored for their service as members of the Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire Department. They chose to retire back in June after 18 and 17 years of service, respectively. There was a cake and gifts from the department for them.

The program was a little mixed up because there were two ambulance calls affecting the party.

Netzel and Van Sickle answered the call to transport a patient to Spokane and did not get back until the end of the party. The other call came for a motor vehicle collision by Leahy Junction about 10 minutes before the meal started. That took three EMTs away for about an hour.

Token gifts of appreciation from Police Chief John Tufts and Fire Chief Paris were given to all the police officers, firefighters and EMS providers.