SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Spanish Fort Fire-Rescue has named Rubin Hadley the Bobby Wilson Fire Fighter of the Year for 2010.

The volunteer fire department recently held its 49th annual awards dinner, honoring Rubin and five of his colleagues for their performance, dedication and service to Spanish Fort residents.

“He’s not the most active guy, but he puts his heart and soul into it and offers a lot of training insight, so a lot of our younger guys see Rubin as a mentor,” said Chief Roger Few, of the peer-driven honor.

Hadley, 51, joined the department in May 2008, and is the father of Lt. Jason Hadley, around whom the community has rallied since a February motorcycle crash.

Few said the younger Hadley actually joined the department first at the age of 17. Rubin Hadley told Few if the department could help motivate his son to stay focused and finish high school, he would join too.

“He did what he said he’d do. That’s just the kind of guy he is,” Few said.

Although Hadley’s full-time job at International Paper in Cantonment, Fla., meant he was only able to respond to 18 percent of the department’s calls in 2010, Few said he took part in 76 percent of training sessions and contributed 10 hours of fire prevention activities and another 21 service hours.

It’s Hadley's position on IP’s emergency response team, however, that sets him apart because it allows him to train the other firefighters in rope, high-angle and confined-spaces rescue.

The department also recognized Chick-fil-A as the Business Supporter of the Year and Marcus Neto as the Citizen Supporter of the Year during the banquet.

“You have no idea what this means to me,” Neto told Few upon receiving his recognition. “Thank you, and thank you for all you do for the citizens that live in Spanish Fort.”

The event is organized each year by the Spanish Fort Fire-Rescue Auxiliary.

The department also honored the following members:

• For the third consecutive year, firefighter Neil Sherer was named a top responder, but he also received a Distinguished Service-Life Saving Medal for “performing a rescue of a resident from a structure fire.” Few said Sherer retrieved a man trapped by smoke in the back bedroom of a burning home.
• Former two-time Fire Fighter of the Year John Shoemaker also received a Distinguished Service-Life Saving Medal for “delivering life-saving aid to a resident suffering from a medical emergency.” Few said Shoemaker, who was receiving emergency medical technician training, was summoned by a neighbor to help his ailing mother-in-law. He “sustained” her until the paramedics arrived, Few said.
• Tim Shaner was named 2010 “Rookie of the Year.”
• Matt Powell was named an Explorer top responder.
• Darrell Perry received a service award.