2025 FIRE DEPARTMENT AWARDS eters Township
PETERS TOWNSHIP NEWS
Annually, the Peters Township Fire Department recognizes individuals for outstanding service to the organization and the community. Three awards are earned each year and are delivered by the Chief Officers of the department along with the President of the Volunteer Fire Company at our annual awards banquet in December.
The Firefighter of the Year award recipient is selected by the line officers( 3 Chief Officers, 3 Captains, and 2 Lieutenants) of the department and issued based on dedication, commitment, and teamwork.
The Fire Officer of the Year award recipient is selected by all of the firefighters and awarded to the Captain or Lieutenant that displays the strongest leadership, mentorship, and development of firefighters within the department.
The Iron Man award was created following the passing of life member and past District Chief Robert Shultz. The award recipient is selected by the Chief Officers based on strength, dedication and / or overcoming adversity while serving the community.
12 PETERS TOWNSHIP
FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR – MICHAEL NORKUS
Michael Norkus is named Firefighter of the Year for his exceptional dedication, operational excellence, and unwavering commitment to the Peters Township community. Throughout the year, Michael consistently demonstrated a high level of skill and professionalism on emergency scenes while maintaining a strong presence in training, station duties, and team support. Known for his reliability, he leads by example and embodies the core values of service, teamwork, and integrity that define the Peters Township Fire Department. Michael is a full-time firefighter with Peters Township and has served the community since January 2022. Michael is also one of the department’ s trusted Fire Inspectors.
NEW ONLINE PORTAL FOR BUILDING PERMITS
Peters Township has a new method for applying for permits, uploading documents, and scheduling inspections.
FIRE OFFICER OF THE YEAR – SEAN WALTERS
Sean Walters is recognized as Fire Officer of the Year for his outstanding leadership, sound judgment, and dedication to developing both people and operations within the department. Sean’ s ability to lead effectively during emergency incidents, coupled with his commitment to training, mentorship, and accountability, has had a measurable impact on department readiness and morale. His steady leadership, respect for the chain of command, and focus on safety and professionalism make him a trusted officer and a vital asset to the Peters Township Fire Department. Lieutenant Walters is a volunteer with the department and has served since November of 2011.
IRON MAN OF THE YEAR – JEFFREY GRUBER
The Iron Man of the Year award is proudly presented to Jeffrey Gruber in recognition of his extraordinary resilience, determination, and commitment to service. After courageously battling throat cancer, Jeffrey worked tirelessly through recovery and rehabilitation, ultimately returning to full firefighting duty. His perseverance in the face of adversity, combined with his continued dedication to the department and his fellow firefighters, serves as an inspiration to all. Jeffrey’ s strength— both physical and mental— epitomizes the spirit of the Iron Man award and the heart of the Peters Township Fire Department. Firefighter Gruber has held many offices in his career since it began in October of 2009, including Captain and Lieutenant.
Peters Township has officially launched its convenient, online permit submission through SDL Portal. This will be the primary method for submitting building permits and accessing information relative to those permits. When submitting a building permit application, you will be prompted to set up an account, which will enable you to submit and track permit applications, upload necessary documents, and schedule inspections all via the online portal.
Visit peterstownship. com / permitapplication or click on Permits and Applications from the homepage to submit a building permit application. You will also find step-by-step instructions on how to create an account and use the SDL portal.