At the Magee Volunteer Fire Department’s recent awards banquet, Fire Chief Lane Steele was named the 2023 Firefighter of the Year.
The Magee Fire Department responded to 231 fire calls last year for a total of 1,153 man hours spent on scene. Steele led by example with the highest percentage of attendance to fire calls, 211 of the 231 fire calls received by the department.
Steele was the only firefighter to attend 100 percent of the department's meetings in 35 of the last 39 years. In his entire 39-year career with the Magee Fire Department, Steele has only missed four meetings.
He was presented the Firefighter of the Year award by 2022 winner Matt Harrison. This marked the third time Steele has received the honor, after receiving it in 1998 and 2001.
Harrison said, “This is somebody that has truly served the city, and there is no other person I would rather present this award to than Lane Steele. You will always be our chief and a part of the Magee Fire Department.”
The family of the late Philip Allan was presented with a plaque and axe to honor his sacrifice and 24 years of service to his community as a fireman and dispatcher. Harrison presented the award to the family and described Allan as “the definition of a servant.” He said he was encouraged by Allan’s example and believes he would be proud of the legacy he leaves behind.
A memorial was offered during the ceremony and four roses were placed with different symbolism. The first rose was placed in memory of the fallen members of the military and the second for the 343 firemen who fell during the 9/11 terrorist attack. The third rose represented the fallen men and women of the Magee Fire Department, and the fourth rose was for Philip Allan, who was killed last year trying to help a motorist who had been in an accident. The wives and significant others of local fallen firemen were presented a rose to show appreciation for their sacrifice.
The Magee Fire Department had a total of 274 hours of training for an average of 9.4 hours per active member. Tony Puckett received a certificate from the Mississippi Fire Investigators Association. Michael Allan received certificates for being the only member of the department to complete Fire Serve Instructor Certification class 1041, Level 1 and 2.
Awards were presented for fire call attendance. The following firefighters responded to 50 percent or more of the department’s fire calls: Philip Allan, Hunter Steele, John Ready, Shane Steele, and Ben Berch. The top percentage in fire call attendance was awarded to Lane Steele for 91 percent.
Awards were given for meeting attendance. The following firefighters attended 75 percent or better of meeting attendance for the year: Michael Allan, John Ready, Shane Steele, David Craft, Reuben Kohen, Mark Parker, Shane Little, and James Fortenberry. Three fire fighters attended 100 percent of the meetings— Lane Steele, Ben Berch, and Philip Allan.
A special award was provided by PriorityOne Bank to firefighters who attended 50 percent or greater of both fire calls and meetings. Six firefighters achieved that goal this year: Philip Allan, Ben Berch, John Ready, Hunter Steele, Lane Steele, and Shane Steele.
BJ Smith and Lane Steele were presented a crystal flame for embodying what the Magee Fire Department stands for and being previous Firefighters of the Year.
Years of Service awards were given to Patrick Zila (5 years), Reuben Kohen (5 years), David Craft (15 years), Shane Steel (15 years), and Philip Allan (24 years).
Chaplain David Craft closed the ceremony with prayer.
