SOAP LAKE - The Soap Lake Fire Department, facing extinction earlier this year, is now not only surviving but is completely reorganized, thanks in part to a local resident whose dedication was recognized by department officers at Wednesday's Soap Lake City Council meeting

Fire Chief Dan Shields and more than a dozen volunteer firefighters presented Maynard Hagen with a dedication award for his support in the fire department's transition.

"Maynard has been the rock that has held the fire department together while transitioning to its current size," said Soap Lake Mayor Raymond Gravelle. "Most importantly, Maynard serves as a beacon of dedication to make the Soap Lake Fire department the best fire department a small town can hope for."

Hagen said he was surprised by the recognition.

"I didn't see anything like this coming," he said.

Shields said volunteer firefighters want to pay tribute to Hagen's years of service to the fire department.

Hagen has put together a city-wide recruiting effort, including a poster and conducting personal tours of the fire station, to give candidates an idea of what it means to be a volunteer firefighter, Gravelle said. The department has grown to 17 volunteers. It responds to calls faster and with full trucks. Hagen also assisted Shields with organizing the new department and bringing equipment up to standard.

"He is handy at fixing just about anything including the fire engines," Gravelle said.

"Soap Lake has a fire department we can all be proud of."