Waukesha Optimists Recognize Firefighter of the Year

Waukesha Firefighter Tim Fleming’s coworkers joked that they didn’t know why he was selected as the 2011 Waukesha Optimist Club’s Firefighter of the Year.

It wasn’t because of a dramatic rescue of a child from a burning building or saving helpless ducklings from the city’s stormwater system. But, according to Battalion Chief Steve Ore, Fleming received the award for “his general overall attitude.”

“He is always enthusiastic,” said Ore, who nominated Fleming to receive the award. “I have never heard him complain about anything.”

Fleming’s work ethic, attitude, professionalism and commitment to the community and his job are among the reasons Ore nominated Fleming for the yearly award given to a Waukesha firefighter.

“If I could have all Tim Flemings as my firefighters, I would love it,” Ore said.

Fleming was surprised when he learned about the award, he said. He also was quick to highlight the work that others in the perform.

“This organization is full of people doing great things every day,” Fleming said. “It is just nice that our organization is represented (through the award).”

A Waukesha firefighter is recognized each year by the Waukesha Optimist Club, along with other service members, according to an e-mail from Assistant City Attorney Miles Eastman, who is a member of the club.

“For decades, the Optimist Club has had a Respect for Law program where we honor a Police Officer of the Year and a Sheriff's Deputy of the Year as a way of showing our appreciation for the work they do,” Eastman said in the e-mail. “About six or seven years ago, the club decided it should do the same to show appreciation for the firefighters who also risk their lives on a regular basis to keep people safe. 

“So we created a Respect for Emergency Services program where we give an award to a Firefighter of the Year. We recently expanded the program to honor a Dispatcher of the Year.”