Iowa Firefighter Wins Prestigious National Award [PHOTO]

A firefighter from Perry, Iowa has been awarded a prestigious national firefighting award.

Rodney Cromwell has been named the 2022 Veterans of Foreign War National Firefighter of the year, according to The Perry News. He received the award at a ceremony in Des Moines last Friday. Cromwell is a 15-year veteran of the Perry Volunteer Fire Department. According to The Perry News, he was first awarded the 2022 Iowa VFW Firefighter of the Year award. His nomination was then forwarded to the national VFW office. He was selected as the national VFW winner from nominees submitted from all 50 U.S. states and territories.

To be considered for the prestigious award, the VFW says that firefighters must demonstrate:

• Recognition by their colleagues or those they serve
• Consistent excellence in the performance of their duties
•  Dedication to their official responsibilities over a period of years and continuous growth in responsibilities and skills within their profession.

Perry Fire Chief Chris Hinds told The Perry News that firefighter Cromwell "is truly a role model to all firefighters and a priceless asset to the Perry force."