During the Waukee Fire Department's annual dinner, Chandler Thayer was named the 2017 Firefighter of the Year. Eric Wallace was named the 2016 Medic of the Year.

Chandler Thayer has been a member of the Waukee Fire Department since June 2016. He was named Firefighter of the Year because he continues to go above and beyond what is expected. Other members of the department said he is always positive and a team player. Chandler is always looking for ways to improve his skills as well as the skills of his co-workers. He often questions protocol to help ensure things are done as smoothly and successfully as possible.
Eric Wallace has been a member of the Waukee Fire Department since September 2008. He was named Medic of the Year because he remains calm and collected in the midst of chaos. Other members of the department said he always takes time to teach new medics important skills in a very impactful way. He is a very good, seasoned paramedic who is known for his excellent bedside manner. Eric is often a solid source of knowledge for new medics going through their schooling and those just graduating.
Congratulations to these top-notch members of the Waukee Fire Department!
Congratulations are also in order to those in the department who received service recognition awards:
- 5 Years - Jacob Cole, Bill Froehlich, Brian Grove, Eric Hentges, Josh Seddon
- 10 - Justin Frederick, Tomme Tysdal
- 15 Years - Brett Kaszinski
- 20 Years - Clint Stephens
- 25 Years - Chief Clint Robinson