POST FALLS - Ron Sampert is not retiring unnoticed.

Sampert, who has served the local fire service for 38 years and has been Kootenai County Fire and Rescue's chief since it formed in 2001, recently received the Idaho Distinguished Service Medal.

In a separate ceremony, he was named KCFR's Outstanding Firefighter during the American Legion banquet.

"Chief Sampert's commitment to providing the best possible emergency services to the citizens of Kootenai County is evident in every aspect of KCFR," said Samantha Babich, KCFR's director of administration, during the Legion dinner.

"He knows that success never really belongs to only one man. But we know that many of our successes may have never happened without his vision and leadership."

Sampert received the Distinguished Service Medal from the Bureau of Homeland Security. Also, on behalf of Gov. Butch Otter, he was presented the governor's Challenge Coin reserved for members of the military and public employees who have distinguished themselves.

Sampert is being replaced as KCFR's chief this month by Warren Merritt, who has served with the Bellevue (Wash.) Fire Department since 1980, including the past six years as deputy chief of operations.

KCFR, which has 60 employees, serves Post Falls, Dalton Gardens, Huetter, Wolf Lodge, Fernan Village and Stateline.

KCFR also named Kevin Lawler its Outstanding Paramedic/EMT.

"Kevin is a shining example of how to provide for both the citizens we serve as well as improving overall patient care through instruction and mentoring," said Bill Keeley, KCFR's EMS coordinator.

Post Falls Police named Brett Chapman as Officer of the Year, Amanda Hughes as Employee of the Year and John Hatcher as Volunteer of the Year.

Chapman, who started at the agency in 1994 as a reserve officer, has served on the SWAT team for more than nine years.

Hughes, an emergency communications officer, has been with the department since 2006.

Hatcher became a reserve officer in 2010 after attending the POST Reserve Academy.

PFPD also presented Donna Dunlap with a Humanitarian Award for her service at the Legion. Her late husband, John, died recently at 78 and helped build American Legion Post 143 in Post Falls into the largest post in the state for the past 30 years as commander.

The Post Falls School District named Tom Affeldt as the Educator of the Year.

Affeldt, who spent 20 years in the Navy, has been a school bus driver for the past six years.

Affeldt serves as a volunteer veterans service officer and spends about 30 hours a week assisting at the Legion.