While no firefighter does his or her job for the recognition of their daily heroic acts, the Westlake and Oak Hill fire departments take one evening each year to commend their men and women for a job well done.

They did so Saturday night at the Barton Creek Country Club, gathering every available member of both departments together to celebrate another year and debut a new homeowner safety video done as a collaboration of the departments and State Farm on residential sprinkler systems.

“You always show up when the bell rings,” said the night’s featured speaker, Joe Allbaugh.

Allbaugh was the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the terrorist attacks of 9-11. He’s also a local resident who relied on the dedication of local firefighters when his house caught fire a little more than a year ago.

“There isn’t a day that passes that I don’t think about those people who give their lives,” he said. “We live in tough and difficult times, and I am always thankful for those that show up when the bell rings.”

Ryan Vacek took top honors of the night, earning the Firefighter of the Year award from the Westlake Fire Department.

“Ryan continually advocates physical fitness,” Chief Gary Warren said. “He works to be proactive in establishment of physical training and we want to recognize him for that.”

After the awards had found their worthy recipients, Warren debuted the sprinkler awareness video, which featured several Westbank notables including Westlake Fire Marshall Mike Lacey, Rollingwood Mayor Dale Dingley, and several other members of the Westlake Fire Department.

Firefighters also unveiled their newest fire truck at the end of the evening.

Below is the full list of awards given to Westlake firefighters:

• Firefighter of the Year, Ryan Vacek;

• Fire Achievement Awards, Ryan Vacek, Preseton Doege and Wayne Morris;

• Phoenix Citations, for participating in the successful resuscitation of a patient, Chris Askew, Micah Fain, Ryan Lloyd and Chris Gill;

• Member Commendation, John Wolters;

• Certificate of Recognition, Steve Wilson, Carl B. Johnson and Virgil E. Flathouse;

• Service pins, Gerry Deming, 20 years; and

• Public Service Award, Non-department member Bradford Callan.