SANDPOINT — Sandpoint Fire Chief Gavin Gilcrease honored two of his firefighters — honoring one for 25 years of service and welcoming another to the fire service — at Wednesday’s City Council meeting.

Sandpoint Firefighter Solan Wolf had his badge pinning ceremony, becoming a full-time firefighter for the Sandpoint Fire Department. Wolf's wife pinned the badge on him, celebrating the culmination of a year of dedicated work.  

“We have a saying that the best thing that an old firefighter can teach a young firefighter is how to become an old firefighter,” Gilcrease said. “It’s really fulfilling to see these guys get this stuff done ... these guys are just eager and very good at what they do.” 

Solan started as a probationary firefighter, meaning he had to complete a task manual of 240 hours of firefighter training. Gilcrease said this ceremony was long overdue, since Wolf completed his tasks and came off probation in May. 

The other honoree was Troy Badeaux who was celebrated for his 25 years of service with Sandpoint Fire. Badeaux works as an engineer for the fire department and can be elevated to an officer if needed, but Gilcrease said he does so much more than that, including IT service for the department’s reporting software. 

“I have full confidence in him to run the station; it’s basically fire and forget. He just goes and gets stuff done,” Gilcrease said. “Troy, he does everything, there’s not many like him and he is such an asset to us.” 

Gilcrease said he hadn’t seen any way of recognizing long-time members of the department but felt like Badeaux’s milestone needed to be recognized somehow. So, at the meeting he handed Badeaux a box wrapped in golden paper. 

With his family in the audience Gilcrease insisted that Badeaux open the box in front of everyone. He worked his way through the packaging to reveal a brand-new Citizen watch with the thin red line representing the fire department.  

“I know he’s not retired yet, but 25 years is a long time to be in one spot and to be making a difference the way he does,” Gilcrease said. “So, we didn’t want to let that get swept under the rug, so that was a big kudos to him, and we hope he appreciates it.” 

    Troy Badeaux with his gift for 25 years of service with the Sandpoint Fire Department.