Though Weed City firefighters Rob Wettstein and Billy Keeho prefer not to be in the limelight, that is exactly where they have been lately.
Wettstein received a Valor Award and Keeho received the Firefighter of the Year nomination from the Weed Fire Department during the 16th Annual Siskiyou County Firefighter of the Year Banquet March 6 in Yreka.
Wettstein was honored along with Montague firefighters Erik Noon and Wendy Horn-Lamber for their heroic efforts during a July 22, 2009 structure fire in Montague, in which a man and several animals were pulled from a burning home.
“It was the most exciting call I have been on,” said Wettstein, who has been a firefighter for four years. “I was impressed by how smoothly the whole operation ran.” He emphasized that he was just one part of a well coordinated team effort.
Keeho, a recent graduate from the College of the Siskiyous Paramedic program, was nominated by his department for his excellent work ethic.
“Billy showed an extensive amount of motivation,” said Wettstein. “He responded to every single call... Billy is not one to take credit and is always a team player... He kept morale at its peak.”
Keeho recently relocated to the San Diego area to further his career as a paramedic. “We’re sad to see him go,” said Wettstein.
A 2006 graduate of the COS Firefighter Academy, Wettstein was a live-in volunteer firefighter for the Weed Fire Department while a student. He eventually became a Weed Captain, works as a seasonal firefighter for CALFIRE in Yreka and serves as an instructional aid for the COS Academy.
It was from his CAL FIRE post that he responded to the Montague structure fire that earned him the Valor Award.
“I love the Fire Academy job,” Wettstein said. “I get to be a role model and contribute to the success of the upcoming students.”
Originally from San Bruno, Wettstein said firefighting runs in his family, and he set his sights on this career path early in life.
He said his uncle, Don Cuicci, a Daly City Fire Chief, played a huge role in his decision to become a firefighter. “My uncle showed me the way,” he said.
He also credits his deceased cousin, Angelina Cuicci (a fire investigator and public information officer) for her role in helping him find his chosen path.
“I always knew that I wanted to do public service and give back to the community,” said Wettstein, who sees firefighting as an excellent opportunity to do this.
Wettstein said he loves living in Weed and hopes to advance his career through CAL FIRE in Siskiyou County.
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Though Weed City firefighters Rob Wettstein and Billy Keeho prefer not to be in the limelight, that is exactly where they have been lately.
Wettstein received a Valor Award and Keeho received the Firefighter of the Year nomination from the Weed Fire Department during the 16th Annual Siskiyou County Firefighter of the Year Banquet March 6 in Yreka.
Wettstein was honored along with Montague firefighters Erik Noon and Wendy Horn-Lamber for their heroic efforts during a July 22, 2009 structure fire in Montague, in which a man and several animals were pulled from a burning home.
“It was the most exciting call I have been on,” said Wettstein, who has been a firefighter for four years. “I was impressed by how smoothly the whole operation ran.” He emphasized that he was just one part of a well coordinated team effort.
Keeho, a recent graduate from the College of the Siskiyous Paramedic program, was nominated by his department for his excellent work ethic.
“Billy showed an extensive amount of motivation,” said Wettstein. “He responded to every single call... Billy is not one to take credit and is always a team player... He kept morale at its peak.”
Keeho recently relocated to the San Diego area to further his career as a paramedic. “We’re sad to see him go,” said Wettstein.
A 2006 graduate of the COS Firefighter Academy, Wettstein was a live-in volunteer firefighter for the Weed Fire Department while a student. He eventually became a Weed Captain, works as a seasonal firefighter for CALFIRE in Yreka and serves as an instructional aid for the COS Academy.
It was from his CAL FIRE post that he responded to the Montague structure fire that earned him the Valor Award.
“I love the Fire Academy job,” Wettstein said. “I get to be a role model and contribute to the success of the upcoming students.”
Originally from San Bruno, Wettstein said firefighting runs in his family, and he set his sights on this career path early in life.
He said his uncle, Don Cuicci, a Daly City Fire Chief, played a huge role in his decision to become a firefighter. “My uncle showed me the way,” he said.
He also credits his deceased cousin, Angelina Cuicci (a fire investigator and public information officer) for her role in helping him find his chosen path.
“I always knew that I wanted to do public service and give back to the community,” said Wettstein, who sees firefighting as an excellent opportunity to do this.
Wettstein said he loves living in Weed and hopes to advance his career through CAL FIRE in Siskiyou County.
