West Hartford Fire Department’s Jason Preuss was honored Wednesday as Firefighter Of The Year by American Legion.

Post Commander Moe Fradette (left) with Firefighter Jason Preuss. Submitted photo

Submitted by American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96

Firefighter Jason Preuss of the West Hartford Fire Department has been honored as Firefighter of the Year by American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96. Hayes-Velhage Post 96 Commander Moe Fradette acknowledged the dedication and professionalism of the entire West Hartford Fire Department and thanked them for all they do for the community.

Joined by over 40 of his fellow firefighters, Preuss received the award and a proclamation from the West Hartford Town Council designating Oct. 28, 2015 as “Firefighter Jason Preuss Day.” Mayor Scott Slifka read the proclamation and stated, “Firefighter Preuss demonstrated his dedication to his profession by responding to traffic accident and administering medical assistance while off duty.”

In his remarks Fire Chief Gary Allyn stated Preuss has been a firefighter with the Town Of West Hartford for more than three years, beginning his career 18 years ago as a volunteer firefighter with the Bolton Fire Department until being hired in 2010 by the city of New London as a career firefighter. In 2010 he graduated from the Connecticut Fire Academy Recruit Class 46. In 2012, he was hired by the town of West Hartford and was promoted to apparatus operator on Feb. 1, 2015.

With a current membership of 2.4-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

The American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96 of West Hartford is a 100 percent smoke-free facility and is open to military veterans who have served honorably during a wartime era and military personnel currently on active duty. Further information is available on the Post’s website at www.post96.org or the public is welcome to visit Hayes-Velhage Post 96 at 45 Raymond Road, West Hartford, CT. 06107, phone 860-233-9029.