Two KCKFD Firefighters Honored with National Awards
Published on April 01, 2022
On Wednesday, March 30, 2022, the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department (KCKFD), along with the Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) hosted an awards presentation at KCKFD Fire Headquarters to honor Captain Jacob Waldeck with State and National Firefighter of the Year and Firefighter Justin Hylton with State and National Emergency Medical Technician of the Year.
Each year, the VFW honors emergency services persons, law enforcement officers and firefighters with the National Awards for Public Servants, recognizing individuals demonstrating dedication and continuous growth within their profession. To witness and celebrate this presentation was a host of family and friends, community members, Unified Government CEO/ Mayor Tyrone Garner, KCKFD Fire Chief Michael Callahan and KCKFD staff.
"Firefighters do not choose a career of public service for recognition or praise. Rather, we are committed and determined to save lives and protect property,” expressed KCKFD Fire Chief, Michael Callahan. “We swore an oath that we are willing to sacrifice our own life to save another. Captain Waldeck and Firefighter Hylton exemplify this oath through their heroic and unselfish actions. They are deserving of these awards, and we are proud that they are members of the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department.”
VFW representatives presented Captain Waldeck and Firefighter Hylton with their state and national recognition awards for their consistent dedication and their heroic acts in Kansas City, Kansas.
Captain Jacob Waldeck: Firefighter of the Year
Captain Waldeck has been with the KCKFD for over 15 years and is being recognized for removing two unresponsive occupants from a house fire. He removed the first occupant to the front yard, where other crewmembers initiated medical care. Captain Waldeck then reentered the structure to find the second unresponsive occupant and removed them to the front yard where other crewmembers initiated medical care. Due to the heroic efforts by Captain Waldeck, both occupants survived.
Firefighter Justin Hylton: Emergency Medical Technician of the Year
Firefighter Hylton has been with the KCKFD for two years and is being recognized for removing a drowning victim from a pool and began life-saving measures to include Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Although initial resuscitation efforts were successful, the patient passed away six days later while in the hospital.
Let’s congratulate and honor Captain Waldeck and Firefighter Hylton for being nominated and selected for these awards!
More Information
To learn more information about the Veterans of Foreign Wars Organization and the National Awards for Public Servants, please visit.