The purpose for the Story City/Lafayette Township Volunteer Fire Department shall be the saving of life and property from fire and also to render aid wherever possible in the event of an emergency.

Doug Steven, 42, of Story City/Lafayette Township Fire Department passed Sunday February 6, 2000 in the Line of Duty.

May he rest in eternal peace and may the Good Lord watch over and protect the loved ones, family, and friends that he left behind.

The main purpose of this award is to further encourage the development, and pride within our department, and also promote the actions of individuals who have well-represented the character and commitment that Doug Stevens left us with on and off the fire scene! It is also our underlying hope that this award will also further encourage such actions of all StoryCity’s Finest in the future to come. This award will be presented annually to the individual who best exemplifies these characteristics, and encompasses all of these aspects of our department, the members of the department, and the community; first-dedication, second-loyalty, third-productivity, and finally-professionalism. This member must also be an active and a participating member of the department and shall be decided upon by the fire chief and 2 assistant fire chiefs of the department.

We strongly believe that the presentation of this award each year will reflect great credit on all of our firefighters, and the job that they do every time that we are called into action. We also believe that this award will bring greater pride to our department, and community. We believe that all efforts have been expended, and will continue to be expended to assure the integrity, fairness and impartiality to all department members and the nominees now and in the future to come. It is truly our honor to introduce this new tradition in our department, and look forward to its growth, the growth of our members, and the growth in these characteristics in the years to come.

1. Dedication:  The individual must have longevity in the fire service. He/She has demonstrated the highest degree in dedication and participation within the department, including fire response, training, public education, and other fire service operations.
2. Loyalty: The individual should also demonstrate allegiance to the department, and its fellow firefighters. Is a team player who supports others’ efforts to achieve the goals of the fire service, supports the fire service by embracing its policy and procedures, engaging only in constructive criticism that will lead to the improvements of the department.
3. Productivity: He/She has gone well above and beyond the duties in a manner that exemplifies the competency that all firefighters strive to achieve and which reflect the highest standards of the fire service, and regularly demonstrates the ability to reduce fire losses and to better serve our department, community, and state.
4. Professionalism: He/She has performed their fire service duties in a manner that exemplifies the competency that all firefighters strive to achieve and which reflect the highest standards of the fire service, which include but are not limited to the use of applicable fire protective equipment such as protective clothing, and breathing apparatus. This person has also demonstrated the ability to lead and follow, depending upon the circumstances.