Steven R. Brune, a veteran emergency medical technician from West Point, Neb., was named the Legion's Firefighter of the Year at the 97th National Convention in Baltimore.

Veteran EMT is National Firefighter of the Year

Steven R. Brune, a 21-year emergency medical technician and volunteer with West Point Rescue in West Point, Neb., received The American Legion’s National Firefighter of the Year Award on Sept. 2 during the 97th National Convention in Baltimore.Brune spent 10 years in the Army Reserve, including a year in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. He is a 26-year member of The American Legion and an eight-year member of the Sons of The American Legion. Brune was nominated by the Department of Nebraska.

In one of the recommendation letters that accompanied the nomination, West Point Rescue President Rick Wimer said Brune “is a professional in every sense, is an asset to West Point Rescue, and a joy to work alongside.” A part of West Point for six years, Brune has led both the EMT and firefighting departments in calls responded to for all 21 years of his career. He also served as a volunteer firefighter in nearby Clearwater, Neb., for 15 years.

Brune has stepped forward to offer his services in everything from tornado recovery efforts, to demolition derbies, tractor pulls and bull riding, to Red Cross relief.

Outside the fire/rescue realm, Brune has worked on creating a Veterans Day program throughout schools in the Dodge-Howells area; assisted in the creation of a veterans memorial in Dodge; and has accompanied World War II and Korean War veterans to Washington, D.C., as part of the Honor Flight program.