The Westminster Fire Department was pleased to have two staff members honored recently.

Public Education Officer Sherrie L. Leeka received the Program of the Year award from the Fire and Life Safety Educators of Colorado (FSEC) on March 14. Sherrie developed and implemented a new Westminster Fire Department program in 2007, the Citizen Fire Academy. The program offers residents the opportunity to learn about the department, try some firefighting techniques first hand, and emphasizes fire and life safety. CPR certification, hazardous materials in the home, and water safety are a few topics the 13-week course covers.

Lieutenant Bruce Black was selected as the Westminster Elks Firefighter of the Year. He was presented with an award at their annual dinner honoring local firefighters and law enforcement officers on March 18. Lt. Black grew up in Westminster, has worked for the department since 1992 and has spent considerable time giving back to the community. Two notable contributions include serving on the Westminster Firefighters Fire Victims Benefit Fund board, which raises money to provide immediate financial assistance to residents that are victims of fire, and coordinating the City of Westminster Holiday Charity Drive, an effort that solicits donations for three local charities over the holiday season - the Have a Heart Project, Jefferson County Foster Care, and Westminster Outreach Food Bank.