Health, emergency workers honored

With a pandemic still throbbing, the recent annual presentation of the Carlton County Emergency Medical Service took on special significance as volunteers and professionals were honored. Steve Trenhaile from the Moose Lake Fire Department heads the county EMS association and he presented awards to several people at the Feb. 9 Carlton County board meeting.

With 25 on the roster of the Esko Fire Department, the group was recognized as the EMS Unit of the Year. It has responded to more than 230 calls in the past year and nearly 240 assists. Trenhaile nominated the group.

County employee Ali Mueller was named the Person of the Year and Health and Human Services was selected as Friend of EMS for 2020. Mueller and the staff at the department have been instrumental in providing critical information and finding needed equipment during the pandemic, Trenhaile said. County Health coordinated immunizations for first responders and firefighters for a smooth process.

Bob Hattenberger, a Kettle River volunteer firefighter and first responder, was given the CCEMS Lifetime Achievement Award. He started with the Kettle River Volunteer Fire Department in 1984 and was fire chief from 1992 through 2008 and again from 2016 to 2017. In 2004 Hattenberger joined a new committee tasked with creating a first responder unit within the department. He is considered a vital part of the Kettle River community.

"Bob has been the historian and storyteller of the volunteer fire and first responder department," Trenhaile said. "Knowing the people and land, the roadways and detours, and often the outcomes and follow-up from medical calls. There is now a great void as he has turned in his jacket and pager."