Assistant Fire Chief Michael Defina Awarded Firefight of the Year by the American Legion of Michigan

A Copper Country firefighter has been named Firefighter of the Year by the American Legion of Michigan. Ahmeek Assistant Fire Chief Michael Defina has served with the department since moving to the area. He came to the region from Maryland before moving to the region with his wife. While with the Ahmeek fire department, he has led the charge on many important great opportunities for the village including finding funds for personal equipment- a fire engine and tools equating to over a million dollars bought into the department.

I also serve as a Michigan State Certified Fire and Emergency Services instructor, so I teach a lot of classes here in Ameek and throughout the Copper Country. I certainly enjoy giving something back to the community. I enjoy working with not just the folks in Ameek, but all the folks throughout the Keweenaw Peninsula. Just a wonderful group of people to work with, to deal with, and we’re family here in Ameek. – Michael Defina, Assistant Fire Chief, Ahmeek Fire and Rescue Department

Defina was awarded the Firefighter of the Year award during a small ceremony last night with American Legion leadership and department members.

It’s boiled down to all the grant money that Assistant Chief DeFina has acquired through his grant writing skills that came back into this community, not only to this community but surrounding communities, mainly fire department grants. But I understand that there are some other grants outside the realm of the fire service that he’s obtained for the community as well. – Ryan Wright, Law and Order Sub-Committee Chairman, American Legion Department of Michigan

 While working in D.C. he was a first responder early to the scene of the Pentagon and American Airlines flight 77 crash on September 11th, 2001. He has a long career dedicated to protecting and serving the communities he calls home. He will earn a nomination for firefighter of the year nationally as the award recipient from Michigan. Congratulations and best of luck to Assistant Fire Chief Michael Defina.