Western Wayne County</br> Fire Department Mutual Aid Association

Like many Americans, Dan Wecker was impressed by the response of police, firefighters and first responders to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

And, like many Americans, Wecker was moved to do something to show his support and, more importantly, to help.

Wecker saw that the Farmington Hills Fire Department was seeking paid, on-call firefighters. Now, he's not just one of the department's firefighters.

He's the best.

Wecker, a Farmington Hills resident who has risen to become a lieutenant in the city's fire department, was chosen as the city's 2017 Firefighter of the Year.

He was presented with the award Jan. 22 at the city’s annual employee awards ceremony at the Costick Center.

"I was very honored and humbled by it," Wecker said. "I am blessed that I have the time to do this. I have a lot of passions and I do appreciate the department has had faith in me and supported me to allow me to convert those passions into reality."

Wecker is the primary instructor for the department’s EMT and firefighter Nos. 1 and 2 programs. He is also an instructor for CPR, AED and first aid classes he presents to community groups and high school students.

He participates in the highly-regarded Fire Prevention Elementary School Assembly Program, presented annually in the fall to all elementary school students.

"I saw the need in the high schools that the more people who could provide CPR, the better the outcomes would be," Wecker said. "We contacted the schools. It took a bit of a process, but we were able to work with (Superintendent George Heitsch) and convert that into a program. I've taught the health teachers and it's now mandatory in the high schools and they teach the entire CPR course."

It's not the first award Wecker has earned. His other honors include:

American Legion Firefighter of the Year (2009 and 2012)
Optimist Firefighter of the Year (2008 and 2012)
Eight Chain of Survival awards
Ten lifesaving awards
Two meritorious service awards
Two Oakland County Star of Life awards
Six certificates of appreciation
Numerous letters of appreciation from citizens

“(Wecker) is highly involved in numerous different areas of the fire department,” Fire Chief Jon Unruh said. “In addition, he positively impacts the community almost daily through instruction and responding to fire and EMS incidents.”

Wecker, who had worked for several companies and retired from General Electric, now works in the capital/businss development arena, which allows him the freedom to be a firefighter.

Wecker said he appreciates the opportunity Farmington Hills has given him.

"Farmington Hills takes people from standard walks of life," Wecker said. "There are people who have other endeavors and they do it part time as much as they can (and) others, like myself, who want to do it as something additional. It's been very good."

Contact Brad Kadrich at bkadrich@hometownlife.com. Follow him on Twitter: @bkadrich.