Community names Malmstrom member as Firefighter of the Year

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Emerald Ralston
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  A member of the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron fire department was named the Great Falls Firefighter of the Year by the Great Falls Exchange Club Oct. 21. 

Staff Sgt. Christopher Gerdes, fire department crew chief, was selected out of firefighters from Malmstrom, the Montana Air National Guard and the Great Falls Fire Rescue. 

"It is a huge honor to win this award," Sergeant Gerdes said. "I really look up to my fellow firefighters in the city, guard and here at Malmstrom. I feel privileged that the Exchange Club would single me out, out of all the nominees." 

Sergeant Gerdes performs a wide variety of jobs for the fire department, and this year he also held the role of a lifesaver by establishing a continuous airway on a stab wound victim. He was praised by emergency room doctors for sustaining the victim, according to Daniel Dodson, 341st CES fire department deputy fire chief. He also led firefighters in stabilizing a motorcycle accident victim to prevent additional injuries on the way to the hospital. 

Along with being an immediate lifesaver, Sergeant Gerdes is an urban search-and-rescue trainer and teaches combat first aid to deploying military members. 

"Sergeant Gerdes was nominated for Firefighter of the Year for his superior performance and extensive community service," Mr. Dodson said. "He exemplifies the quality of personnel needed to carry U.S. Air Force and Malmstrom fire protection into the future. He epitomizes the motto 'service before self.'" 

But his efforts don't stop in the fire station. Sergeant Gerdes assisted with rebuilding the roof of a local church solidifying relations with the local community and saving church members $10,000 in repair costs. 

"While this is an honor, I couldn't have done any of this by myself," Sergeant Gerdes said. "I have help, and I appreciate everything that my fellow firefighters do every day. There are a lot of guys out there who are more deserving of the award than me and all their hard work needs to be recognized as well. I love my job and I'm proud of what my fellow firefighters and I do. I love the teamwork that we all incorporate into everything we do."