Black Hawk firefighters get ‘badged’

Barbara Lawlor

02/22/2007 - They held their heads high, their chins up, their shoulders back.

  They looked straight ahead, pride in their eyes.

  They clenched their jaws as people who cared about them tried to pin on their new badges without puncturing something.

  Six Black Hawk Fire Department firefighters were promoted in rank and honored in a Badging Ceremony at the fire station last Tuesday night. It was a time for their peers and their families to acknowledge their efforts to grow and learn in the department.

  Mark Schaller, Murray Buchanan and Jennifer Henbroff were promoted to the rank of lieutenant and Brian Cheek, Kevin Martschinske, and Sam Sitzman became captains.

  Chief Robert Norris presented the badges to the officers and wives, boyfriends and children who then, cautiously, pinned them onto the uniforms.

  Lieutenant Jennifer Henbroff said she started out as a volunteer in 1996, became a paid firefighter in 1999 and worked her way up to becoming an officer.

  “I am proud to get this badge,” she said. “I love the job, and I love working up here. I hope I can afford to live here some day.”

  Captain Brian Cheek said the promotions came about because of the previous work of the firefighters, the tests, the practical skills and the oral boards.

  “As the department changes and we need new growth, it will happen again.”

Black Hawk Fire Department has 21 members with six reserve firefighters. Chief Robert Norris said that as they promote up and hire more members, communications between the shift will be better and the information more consistent.

  There has never been a Badging Ceremony with captains and lieutenants at the same time. Before the badges were presented, Chief Norris said, “This badge is important. It demands respect for you. It gives you courage. It shows pride in what you have accomplished. Receiving a badge means you maintain tradition, which you must continue. It is honor to wear the badge.”

  Once the badges were pinned, the celebratory cake was served.