The Idaho Falls Fire Department is proud to announce that Firefighter/Driver Jim Hitch was selected as The American Legion Post 56 Firefighter of the Year for 2017.

Hitch was honored at the Post 56 American Legion Birthday Dinner at the Veterans Memorial Building in Idaho Falls on Thursday, March 16.

Hitch started working for the Idaho Falls Fire Department in 2014.  Fire Chief Dave Hanneman states, “He was immediately seen as a go-getter with very strong leadership qualities.”

Due to several retirements and growth of the department, more than 40 employees were hired in 2015 and 2016. The department also had a need for new recruits to step up and quickly work toward promoting to drivers. “Jim immediately accepted the challenge, excelled on his training and testing, and was promoted to driver in 2016. He now has more than 50 firefighters junior to him and has learned the position in an impressive amount of time,” adds Hanneman.

Hitch will be recognized again at the Idaho Falls Fire Department’s Annual Awards Ceremony on April 28 at 6:00 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium in Idaho Falls.  The event is open and free to the public.

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About Idaho Falls Fire Department: The Idaho Falls Fire Department is committed to providing professional life-saving services ensuring the safety and security of our community. The Department serves the City of Idaho Falls and the Bonneville County Fire Protection District. In 2015, the department provided an unmatched level of service at 4,011 engine responses and 8,666 ambulance calls.  Learn more on our website.