Our May Thug of the Month was nominated by his wife Kenzie Ashcraft. With their permission we would like to share his nomination with you.

Zack goes above and beyond for his job. It’s truly his passion and his dedication does not go unnoticed. From going to extra mile with station duties, training, becoming a union rep, working physically to stay in shape, holding an EMT license and so much more.

Zack has just finished competing in his third charity fight recently called Smoke + Guns. Firefighters and Police officers battle it out in the octagon with boxing and MMA to raise money for Oklahoma Firefighters Burn Camp and Special Olympics. All money raised goes directly to these charities.

Zack trains for months to get ready and makes a lot of sacrifices to prepare. He's won the last two years in first round victories and truly loves using his platform as a firefighter to help these kids. The burn camp goes on during the summer and he will go for a day to hang out with the kids. It truly makes their day and it's one of his favorite ways to help outside of the station.

He didn’t quit trying after his rookie year, if anything, he works and strives harder than day 1 to be the best firefighter he can be. He tries to take care of his mental health best he can and does his best to keep morale up in his department. I often see him starting a revival within his shift and station, and changing it for the better.

He gets off work and is 110% husband and daddy while at home and I know it’s not easy to do so when you have a lot of calls that continue to weigh on you. Not to mention working a second side job just so I can pursue my passion. He puts us first and he puts his brothers first on duty.

When there is overtime or emergency call ins, you can bet that he’s on his way. He’s every bit of what a fireman should be and I’m so incredibly proud of the man he’s become.

I’m not saying any of this just because he’s my husband but he would be someone I’d want coming to save me. Zack takes a lot of pride in his profession and goes beyond fighting fires and station duties. He truly loves supporting small business in the fire community on Instagram and helping out any way he can.

As his wife I may be biased but when I think of a firefighter as a role model for someone growing up, he would be the first to come to mind. I love his heart and his passion to help others without any gain and am excited to see what his future holds. It's more than just a job to him. He will always give 110% in whatever is asked and will go beyond what's expected. He does the same at home, too. The world needs more men like him. Families need more husbands and fathers like him too. We are blessed.

We would like to thank Zack for going above and beyond, not just at the station but in life as well. We want to ensure you know that your actions are making a difference, not just in your immediate surroundings but in everywhere your story travels and it is our honor to recognize you as a Plug Thug!

Our April Thug of the Month was nominated by his friend Quinn Gagnon. With his permission we would like to share his nomination with you.

Lt. Jones has led a life committed to public service and helping fire fighters. Having been in the fire service since 1996 and a fire Lt. for thirteen years he is consistently striving to make his work environment a better place and teaching young firefighters how to succeed. He served in the Army and with AmeriCorps.

He is a father of four and continuously sets a great example not only for his children but other fire fighters that look up to him. He is dedicated to his kids, their sports, hobbies and school. As a family they provide holiday home cooked meals for families in need.

Lt. Jones is the president of his local fire union and continues to fight for his employee’s fair treatment and representation.

In addition to all of the above Lt. Jones recently started a non profit to assist fire agencies struggling to find equipment and gear to save lives. This non profit has intentions to expand to an international level where they will provide gear and training to fire departments all over the world that need it and incorporate a humanitarian outreach as well.

He has made a choice and dedicated half his life to service, with no intention of leaving anytime soon. That service is not just to one agency but to his family, to his union, to his non-profit. This calling demands sacrifice. He has been awarded a Medal of Valor, Meritorious and Executive commendations in his career but finds the greatest reward is being there, to help ease someone’s suffering.

We would like to thank Lt. Jones for doing what he feels is right and not just what is convenient. Your choice to lead a life of service and to constantly challenge the status quo has changed those you come into contact with. It is our desire to ensure you know that your actions are making a difference and it is our honor to recognize you as a Plug Thug!

Our March Thug of the Month was nominated by his coworker James Cook. With his permission we would like to share his story with you as seen through his eyes.

Lieutenant Billings has worked under me for over 2 years now and has worked loyally in our department for almost 10 years. He’s a "gets it" firefighter. This gentleman understands that we have more than just lives we swore to protect. He understands that property is just as important to our customers, no matter the economic state.

Josh has also assisted me in instructing multiple emt classes, an advanced emt class and a fire academy currently. He is also part of the team that mobilizes to wildland fires through our department, a hazmat tech, a rope tech and a confined space tech.

Josh works side by side with the hosemen of our shift and the department while having the ability and the gained trust/respect to step up to a leadership role without question.

I have personally witnessed this LT work himself to pure exhaustion on back to back house fires and have seen him get pulled from a structure fire scene to run an ambulance call (without complaint) where he practices at the level of paramedic, one of the most respected medics in our department. He doesn’t gripe or complain. He’s just a worker and has earned everything he has.

He is a firefighter to the core, brotherhood in and out of the firehouse. Seems to never be too busy for off duty responding or just helping someone who needs a hand moving or do something. He’s also president of a local motorcycle club that hold rides for charity.

We would like to thank Josh for doing what he feels is right and not just what is convenient. Your choice to put the needs of others before your own and to uplift those around you has left a lasting mark on those you come into contact with. It is our desire to ensure you know that your actions are making a difference and it is our honor to recognize you as a Plug Thug!

Our February Thug of the Month was nominated by his coworker Maria. We were able to reach out to Larry, a longtime friend of Jim’s, to gather some information about him. With their permission we would like to share his story with you as seen through the eyes of just a few of his supporters.

“I have known Jim for over 30 years. From his Coast Guard Days, Paramedic Training Intern and his career at the Olympia Fire Department. He is the type of person you wonder where all his energy comes from to do everything.

Jim served as a line Firefighter-Paramedic, a Paramedic/ Lieutenant and now as a Captain. Jim has provided “WOW” service his entire time he has worked at the OFD. In other words, he wants to do the job right so people say “WOW” when he is done.

Jim cares a great deal about giving back to the community in ways beyond his work. He has run the bike club, Rad Racers, for young kids since its inception. He has mentored many young people through the club that have gone on to a professional team and scored well.

Picture this time distribution…

· His foundation and family (3 girls with oldest in College). He gives 110% effort to his family. Including summer and winter skiing. He cares more than you will ever know about his family.

· Next layer, the Fire Department and his basic work with value added things such as rescue training, CPR training for OFD Members that have them with the highest save rate in the State. He also participates in a lot of other related work such as Firefighter Stair Climb to raise money for leukemia. Jim has also worked with the Denis Leary Foundation (Rescue Me) in gaining funds for rescue equipment for the area.

· Visualize adding another layer of time for his Rad Racers, bike racing for himself and friends in need.

· He has had to add another layer of time for cancer... he has far exceeded his life expectancy and is fighting like hell for his life for his family, saving lives, young bike people and finally supporting others in the fire service with Cancer that was caused by the job.

If anyone was deserving of any kind of recognition Jim is it... What I have written here only touches what Jim Brown is and how he has touched so many peoples' lives.”

Larry Dibble

We would like to thank Jim Brown for not simply taking the easy path. Thank you for leading with integrity and compassion. You choose to give so much of yourself to enrich the lives of others. Your choice to live life by a higher standard and strive to uplift those around you has left a lasting mark on those you come into contact with. The battle you fight every day is one that no one should have to, but you do so to help make it so others may not have to. The compassion for others and commitment to better your surroundings can be a heavy burden. It is our desire to ensure you know that your actions are making a difference and it is our honor to recognize you as a Plug Thug!

Our January Thug of the Month was nominated by his wife Abi and his friend Brendan. With their permission we would like to share his story with you as seen through the eyes of just a few of his supporters.

“Josh is my husband and the father to my two girls. We got married young and he has always worked his butt off to provide and make sure we had a good life. Now that we have a family, he makes sure that everything he does is for us.

He always looks for the best in everyone and you will find it extremely rare to find someone who doesn’t say he is a standup guy.

He recently received a promotion and there is not any man I feel that is more deserving! He works hard and loves harder. A friend to many and someone other people know they can look to when they really need someone. I could go on and tell story after story talking about what a good man he is. But hopefully you get the point! I’m a proud and blessed fire wife not because Josh is my husband but because of the man he is.

Josh is part of employee support services this means he has taken the class and is willing to be on call if there is ever anyone who needs someone to talk to even when he isn’t on shift. There are not many on this team because it takes someone with the desire to help beyond what their jobs already may ask of them.

Just recently at a dinner I was attending with Josh for his captain who was leaving, another firefighter approached us and thanked Josh for allowing him to talk to him. He said that he knows that no matter what Josh is someone he knows he can go to and Josh will have his back. The firefighter went on to tell me there aren’t many dudes like him and I had a good guy.

He gets calls almost daily asking him for his opinion on something or someone needing to bounce off ideas to. He almost always answers or calls back even when he may not feel like it.”

Abi Rogers

“I have worked with Josh on and off for the past 10 years or so. I feel that Josh exudes the qualities that you are looking for in the Thug of the Month.

I first met Josh working as Firefighters together for CAL Fire. We shared a common bond both coming over to the State having worked on Hotshot crews in California. I knew Josh was my kind of Fireman, hardworking and one who lets his work speak louder than his words.

As the years went on Josh and I became better friends and no matter how tired or shot out Josh was he was always willing to help out. Whether that was re tiling fire stations or loading hose, Josh is always someone that would help you out, no questions asked, and have a smile on his face while doing it.

Josh accepted a Fire Apparatus Engineer job a couple years back in Riverside, and always found the positive in his circumstance. In that he has two beautiful daughters and a loving wife in at home. Josh knew that he needed to take this job even though it was so far away from home. It would be the best for his family and his career in the long run. We would have long conversations on this drive to or from work and he always was upbeat even sitting in L.A. traffic.

Josh made it back home after 2 years of commuting back and forth from work in Riverside, and recently accepted a Captains job with CAL Fire, but I can guarantee you that no matter what rank Josh is, he will be pulling hose right alongside of his Firefighters when the opportunity arises.

Josh just recently told me that he had been doing 100 burpees a day for the month of December. Not to brag but just in casual conversation. I couldn't let that pass without asking him if he planned on doing 100 burpees on Christmas Day. He smiled and told me that he was going to take that day off, but I heard that he just did 200 burpees the next day to make up for the day off. To me that sums up Josh's work ethic and integrity.

Josh just lives his work life and home life with grace, dignity and hard work. I am a better person to know Josh and definitely a better fireman working alongside him.”

Brendan

We would like to thank Josh Rogers for not simply taking the easy path. Thank you for leading with integrity and compassion. Your choice to live life by a higher standard and strive to uplift those around you has left a lasting mark on those you come into contact with. The compassion for others and commitment to better your surroundings can be a heavy burden. It is our desire to ensure you know that your actions are making a difference and it is our honor to recognize you as a Plug Thug!

Our June Thug of the Month was nominated by his son Andrew. With their permission we would like to share his story with you as seen through the eyes of just a few of his supporters.

“My father is a 25-year lieutenant for Gresham Fire Department in Oregon. For a long time, he was a pastor and ran a Responder Life “rest area” for first responders.

He currently assists with the Cadet Program in his department and runs FIRExTalk, a program to capture people’s passionate discussions about training and techniques in the fire service. They are 20-minute talks with actionable content that are available free to the public on YouTube and social media.

He teaches multiple classes in his academy and strives to be an active part. He ensures his probationary firefighters are prepared to be on the job through frequent training, morale boosting, and making sure their other educational responsibilities are met.

He also founded and operates the Randy Carpenter Firefighter Search Survival and Rescue School. He attended a variety of search and rescue classes and survival trainings. He noticed a lack of training opportunities in these areas within the Pacific Northwest. He developed a 3-day survival school that incorporated the best of all of his training and current, realistic research in search and rescue to provide a comprehensive program for firefighters in his area. While searching for funding, he came across the Randy Carpenter Memorial Foundation who was willing to provide scholarships for some individuals to the survival school. Because of this great partnership and the story of how Randy Carpenter lost his life in the line of duty, Michael decided to name the survival school in Randy’s honor.

He sacrifices his time money and energy to give back to the community. Not for his gain, but to better the service. He does all this while being 100% into the job, training and honing the craft.

He is also a dedicated family man and my hero.”

We would like to thank Michael for seeing a need and going above and beyond to fill it. Thank you for leading with integrity and compassion. Your choice to live life in service of others and striving to uplift those around you has left a lasting mark on those you come into contact with. The compassion for others and commitment to better your surroundings can be a heavy burden. It is our desire to ensure you know that your actions are making a difference and it is our honor to recognize you as a Plug Thug!