By Sarah Nigbor

RIVER FALLS – When Jason “Sammy” Sammon joined River Falls Fire Department 26 years ago, he was a UW-River Falls college student and football player. UWRF head athletic trainer Gary “Stump” Eloranta was recruiting firefighters for the department, so Sammon and a buddy signed up. Little did he know, he’d be named 2021 Firefighter of the Year two decades later.

River Falls Fire Chief Scott Nelson said Sammon is one of the top responders to calls. Three years ago, the department appointed him Health & Safety Officer.

“Sammy is our first fire fighter to fill a new and vital role within our department, that of Health & Safety Officer,” Nelson said. “He has taken that role very seriously and has the respect of the membership. It’s no wonder he was selected for this award. Sammy is always willing to take the time to answer questions and work with new recruits that are in training.”

Besides safety officer, Sammon fills many other roles such as incident commander on scenes, driver for department trucks and is a knowledgeable pump operator, Nelson said.

Sammon said he was humbled when he heard the news about the award.

“I’m just appreciative of the other members who had chosen me for that award,” Sammon said.

As Health & Safety Officer, Sammon is tasked with addressing the overall safety and wellness needs of his fellow firefighters on the scenes of calls and beyond. He helps make sure equipment the department procures is making their jobs safer. He looks at procedures and training protocols to ensure they align with safety guidelines. During January, which is the department’s designated Health & Wellness month, Sammon lines up training opportunities and invites speakers to address mental health, wellness and cancer awareness issues. Everything is meant to enhance firefighters’ mental and physical well-being, which can take a beating in a tough field.

Sammon grew up in southern Minnesota, near Faribault. He came to River Falls to attend college, where he met his wife, who hailed from the Twin Cities. When Stump convinced him to join the fire department, he didn’t even know if he’d stay in River Falls after graduation. But he and his wife decided to make their home here. Sammon, who works in the M Health Fairview Clinic lab, is also on the board for Walk On Therapeutic Horse Riding. He can also be found on the sidelines at UWRF and River Falls High School football games as part of the chain gang, a duty for which he’s volunteered 12 years.

Helping people is a priority for Sammon, who is committed to making his community and department a better place. One thing stands out as the most rewarding part of a tough job, which sometimes involves getting called out of bed in the wee hours of the night.

“Trying to help people when they have that bad day,” Sammon said. “Usually when we get a call, something bad has happened and we just try our best to make that situation better.”

Sammon has valuable advice for anyone considering becoming a volunteer firefighter.

“If you have that desire to serve and give back to your community and make your community safer, this is the way to do it,” he said.

The Moody family, who sponsor the award, and the rest of the membership are pleased to acknowledge Sammon as the 2021 River Falls Firefighter of the Year.