The Owatonna Fire Department is proud to announce Fire Equipment Operator Ben Staska as the 2024 Firefighter of the Year. Fire Chief Ed Hoffman selects an individual for this honor with input from staff annually. Ben will be recognized at the October 10 Exchange Club of Owatonna’s 2024 Firefighter Recognition Banquet honoring all firefighters who serve Owatonna.
The criteria used to select the award recipient includes performance above and beyond the regular duties of a firefighter, being a genuinely good person, the desire to be a good firefighter, being a good team member and using knowledge and skills in a positive way that improves the department overall.
Ben joined the Owatonna Fire Department in January 2020 as a Paid-on-Call Resident Firefighter. After eight months, he moved on to a full-time firefighter/EMT position in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. After almost two years up north, Ben returned to Owatonna in May 2022 to take the full-time position of Fire Equipment Operator. Ben went to college for firefighting at Fox Valley Technical College in Wisconsin and then graduated from Riverland Community College here in Minnesota with an associate’s degree in Fire Science Technology. Ben comes from a family in the fire service with his Uncle Brian Staska and Grandpa Robert Lewis. Finally, Ben would like to thank his support system Mom Jodi, Dad Brad, Brother Nick, and girlfriend Chantel.
Community members are invited to attend the banquet on October 10. Tickets are $25 and only available in advance at Kottke Jewelers and Owatonna InstyPrints.