JeFF moeller BaDger

Moeller goes ‘above and beyond’ for his community

Volunteer firefighter receives Badger Firefighter of the Year Award

By CHRIS JOHNSON

cjohnson@messengernews.net

BADGER — When Jeff Moeller joined the Badger Fire and Rescue Department, he wanted to continue the family legacy.

Moeller’s dad, John, was on the department from 1974 to 2000.

Each year the department chooses a Firefighter of the Year from the 21 members. This year, Jeff Moeller, who joined the force in 2019, was honored as the top volunteer.

“Jeff is one of those guys that is always willing to chip in and help,” said Badger Fire and Rescue Chief Jeff Brundige. “He goes above and beyond.”

On the night of recognition, Moeller knew he was nominated as the list was down to two firefighters.

When it was time to hand out the award, a surprise visitor took to the front of the room and announced his son as the winner.

“It was a lifetime event for me,” Jeff Moeller said. “It was something he (John Moeller) did for so many years.

“I think I finally made him proud.”

Brundige felt it was fitting for John Moeller to hand the award to his son.

“I called his mom and dad and thought it would be special for John to hand the award to Jeff,” Brundige said. “It was a pretty emotional night for both.”

Brundige, who has been the Badger chief for the past five years, remembers a moment when he knew how dedicated Jeff Moeller was.

“We recently remodeled our kitchen at the fire station that we started back in November,” Brundige said. “We put in a couple of hours here and there and then I put a deadline on it.

“We had a late night call and when we got back to the station after the call, Jeff was in the firehouse gluing down baseboards at 2 a.m.

“I asked him what he was doing and he said, ‘You want this done next week.’

“That just proved to me how dedicated he was to the department.”

When Jeff Moeller went through the training to become part of the Badger Fire and Rescue Department, he took it to heart.

“It’s such an honor to be a part of Badger Fire and Rescue,” Moeller said. “I grew up in Badger and my dad was a volunteer for over 20 years.

“It’s a great opportunity and honor just to help and volunteer.”

Joining the Badger team meant some training for Jeff Moeller. He attended some meetings and went through Firefighter I training. His job includes going out on fire calls and emergency medical calls.

Jeff Moeller lives and stands by the true meaning of Badger’s department — volunteer.

“I’m always willing to help and show up when I’m needed,” he said. “It’s a volunteer department and I give my time to volunteer, that’s what it’s all about.”

Badger

-Submitted photo

JOHN MOELLER, left, hands the Badger Fire and Rescue Firefighter of the Year award to his son, Jeff Moeller.