At the NCSFA’s 136th Annual Meeting and Annual Banquet the Board of Directors and membership honored several special award recipients.
Chief Leon Apple from Whitest Fire Department was the recipients of one of the five issued Valor Awards of the evening. Chief Apple’s actions during a rescue on December 5th, 2022 were described as selfless and heroic.
Firefighter Ackery Harrelson, Chief Brian Wade, Assistant Chief Brandon Ward, and Captain Billy Youssef were also awarded Valor Awards during the Annual Banquet. It was said of them that they put duty to others before themselves.
Also awarded this year was the Firefighter of the Year Award to Town of Stanley Fire Department Assistant Chief Michael Hullet. Assistant Chief Hullet’s nominator, Chief Eric Withers, said that Michael “… leads by example.” He also said that Michael “…has provided for others under his command with personal funds for uniforms with no expectation of repayment so that those members can really feel like they are part of the team.”
On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and the membership of the North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association, congratulations to Chief Leon Apple, Firefighter Ackery Harrelson, Chief Brian Wade, Assistant Chief Brandon Ward, Captain Billy Youssef and Assistant Chief Michael Hullett on being recipients of the 2023 NCSFA Awards, all of this year’s recipients are very much deserved.
