Top ECVFD firefighter still new to department
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

HUBENAK

It didn't take long for El Campo volunteer firefighters to rate 25-year-old Rory Hubenak among their best.

With only a year and a half year of full membership in the department, Hubenak was honored as the 2007 Firefighter of the Year - an honor awarded by a vote of his peers.

"Rory has been a very good firefighter," Chief Jimmy George Jr. said. "He is very active in training, which he has made 100 percent of drills the last 2 years, the last 2 years, and he does an outstanding job on the alarms he makes.

"He is also active in all the other fire department related activities, including fund-raisers, MDA 'Fill the Boot' and many other activities," he said. "He is there to do whatever is asked of him and does these jobs effectively. He is one of the best new firefighters."

Hubenak joined the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department in August 2005 and started his training. Each volunteer candidate spends six months in a sort of basic training before proceeding to a six-month probationary period.

He was elected into full membership in August 2006.

Firefighting was a childhood fascination, Hubenak said, adding he's proud to be able to serve now. "I try to do everything I can," he said.

A native of Pierce, Hubenak is a 2001 El Campo High School graduate.

He works as Guardsmark security supervisor in a Thompson power plant during the day and remains on call through the night.

"I've loved the fire department since I was a kid," he said. "I had an uncle - Jessie Hubenak - in the department for years. He was president for a bit. I was always asking him questions. At seven years of age, its red lights, blue lights. Then I realized firefighting is about saving lives."

His dedication shows, George said. "As of November (Hubenak) has spent 299 hours on training, 237 hours on alarms and 625 hours on other activities to a total of 1,161 hours in the service of the community," George said. "I consider the selection of Rory as Firefighter of the Year to be a very good choice."

Assistant Volunteer Fire Chief Jimmy Nielsen agreed.

"He's almost always there, will do anything we ask him to do and does a good job when he does it," Nielsen said. "I think he will have a very good future as a fireman."

Hubenak's award is highly unusual in a department where many volunteers serve the community for decades.

"It says a lot about it," Nielsen said.

Capt. Bill Morris added his praise. "Rory is a fine firefighter. Once he gets all his training in, he will be officer material," he said. "He's very conscientious about what he does and is very active in the department.

Also at the department's Christmas party and awards ceremony Tuesday, Clint Rothbauer was selected as Explorer of the Year. The department's Explorer Post allows teenagers and young adults the chance to experience fire service before their 21st birthday.

Service pins presented were: Five years, Anthony Delgado; 10 years, Slade Stary; 15 years, Doug Seaman; 20 years, Mike Giesalhart and Frank Olsovsky; 25 years, Ben Altenhoff; and 30 years, Darrell Smith.

In the Ladies Auxiliary, Virgie Klatt and Helen Hlavaty received 25 year service pins.

Jerry Hensley, Billy Hodges and James Pierce were honored as they retired from the department. Hensley had 31years of service, while Hodges retires with 21 years and Pierce with 18 years.

Firefighter Greg Pasak received his basic state certifi- cation while Kenneth Socha, Mark Sablatura and Patrick Hlavaty received intermediate certification.