POST FALLS - Bryon Johnson's willingness to be an emergency team leader hasn't gone unnoticed.

The lieutenant for Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, the region's hazardous materials team leader for the state, earned his agency's Dedication and Devotion Award for 2012. It's the highest honor given by the fire district.

"He demonstrated an impeccable work ethic," said Deputy Chief Aaron Jones, who nominated Johnson for the award.

Johnson, who began his career with KCFR in 1998 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2003, had more than 300 training hours last year.

"He is always willing to participate in extra training for the state," Jones said.

Johnson and other KCFR employees were honored recently at the agency's annual awards banquet at Red Lion Templin's Hotel in Post Falls.

KCFR serves Post Falls, Dalton Gardens, Fernan Village, Wolf Lodge, Stateline and Huetter.

During the ceremony, Capt. William Keeley was pinned by Chief Warren Merritt and promoted to division chief over emergency medical services.

Keeley has been with KCFR since 1997. He was assigned as EMS coordinator in 2010.

Other award recipients included:

- Maurice Wagner Jr., Member of the Year;

- Pete Holley, Rookie of the Year, Career;

- Jordan White, Rookie of the Year, Reserve;

- Jessie Morrow, accountant, Commissioner's Award; and

- Post Falls Police, Business of the Year.

Last year KCFR gave six automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to PFPD as police officers are often first on scene for medical calls.

The following KCFR employees were recognized for work anniversaries: 25 years, Todd Amende; 20 years, Todd English, Larry Sande; 15 years, Jeff Jensen, William Keeley, Bryon Smith; 10 years, Seth Hohenstreet, Ryan Asher, Mike Bass, Jim Oxenrider, Jamyson Hull, Joe Doellefeld, Chad Whaley; and five years, Richard Altman, J. Brooks Brown, Taylor Carr, Michael Brynjestad, Kevin Lawler, Jessie Morrow, Amana Mangano, Samuel LaPresta, Frank Harwood, Bernard "Kaipo" Kuehu, Charis Schreiber, Rex Nielsen.

Area firefighters will participate in the 22nd annual Scott Firefighter Stairclimb fundraiser for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at Seattle's 788-foot Columbia Center on Sunday.

KCFR's team of Merritt, Frank Harwood, Jeff Piephoff, Lawler, Kuehu, Peter Holley, Shaena Dunn, Duane Hanna, LaPresta and Brett Lynch have raised nearly $2,000 for the event with stair climb machine fundraisers.

PFPD pinning ceremony

- The following were pinned during a ceremony at Post Falls Police on Friday: Brian Harrison and Alexander Sporleder, patrol officers; Nicole Leslie, emergency communications officer; Katie Vaughan and Summer Elliott, records specialists; and John Hatcher, Ed Tetrault and Matthew Edwards, reserve officers.