(Greensburg, IN) – The Greensburg Optimist Club awarded the 2023 Firefighter of the Year award to Greensburg Assistant Fire Chief Curtis Lewis during the organization’s meeting Thursday morning at the department’s Fire Station One on Ireland Street.
Lewis started in the fire service at the age of 18 when he joined the Dillsboro Volunteer Fire Department and served alongside his father and grandfather.
He was 21 when he joined the Greensburg Fire Department 15 years ago and was promoted to Lieutenant, then Captain in 2021 before he was elevated to assistant chief last year. Lewis was joined at the ceremony by his wife Maria and their three small children
He received a plaque, which was presented by Optimist Club Firefighter of the Year committee chairman and fellow Greensburg Assistant Fire Chief Brian Wenning.
This is the 28th year the Greensburg Optimist Club has been presented the Firefighter of the Year award. Below are past recipients:
1996 Don Minning, Greensburg
1997 Carl Geis, Clarksburg
1998 Ken Ramer, Greensburg
1999 Brian Wenning, Greensburg
2000 David Israel, Burney
2001 All Decatur County Fire Chiefs/Firefighters
2002 Mike Gasper, Westport
2003 Rand Hooten, Burney
2004 Scott Chasteen, Greensburg
2005 Bert Baltus (posthumously), Letts
2006 Bill Smith, Clarksburg
2007 Gary Wolford, New Point
2008 Andy Witkemper, Millhousen
2009 Jay Mattox, Westport
2010 Rick Bullard, St. Paul
2011 All Decatur County Fire Chiefs/Firefighters
2012 Rick Emsweller, Greensburg
2013 Brad Speer, Clarksburg
2014 Steve Garrett, Greensburg
2015 Randy Carson, Westport
2016 Carl Geis, Clarksburg
2017 Byron Baltus, Letts
2018 Rick Johnson, Clarksburg
2019 Randy & Marilyn Hoeing, Greensburg
2020 Matt Stone, Millhousen
2021 All Decatur County Fire Chiefs/Firefighters
2022 Chris Springmeyer
