By Will Payne
Whether it is helping people out of a burning building, treating the injured or sick, or even helping a cat come down from a tree top, firefighters are essential members of society.
This notion is no different in our local community, as the Cornbelt Fire Department has been serving and protecting the Mahomet area since 1953. Every year the fire department chooses their Cornbelt firefighter of the year, and Lieutenant Ryan Beasley was selected as the winner for 2021.
The process for choosing the firefighter of the year is relatively simple, but the criteria is strict for whoever will come out with the award. Chief John Koller was not surprised that Beasley was voted as the firefighter of the year, as he is proud of the Lieutenant’s work throughout the past calendar year.
“The really neat part of it is that it is voted on by your peers,” Koller said. “So it is the membership of the fire department that votes on it. There are lots of things that go into it, and the process has definitely changed over the years. It is going above and beyond to help in the community and within the fire department itself.”
Beasley has been a vital member of the Cornbelt Fire Department, and has shown his worth through his time in Mahomet.
“We also do a lot of work around the station,” said Koller. “Whether it is painting, or redoing a room, Ryan spearheads that process. It is hard to choose because we have so many hardworking people here. But there was no doubt from most people that Ryan was the guy who deserved this award.”
Along with Beasley, Koller prides himself on leading a team of volunteer and paid personnel who care about the Mahomet area. His simple slogan for the group govern’s everything they do in the Cornbelt Fire Department.
“We have a customer service model that we follow here, and it is the simple slogan: “Be nice”. People don’t necessarily have a choice when they call 9-1-1, but we want it to be the absolute best experience.”
Becoming a great firefighter is not easy, however Ryan Beasley has stepped up to the plate throughout his 16 years of service in Mahomet.
“We can take anyone and teach them the firefighting and EMS side of things, but it is how you present your abilities and how respectful you are to others at the end of the day,” Koller said. “And Ryan really embodies that overall for us.”
Being named the firefighter of the year was an honor for Beasley, and he appreciated the attention from his peers regarding his service over the past year.
“I mean it was incredible. The majority of the time we are just here doing our normal duties, and you might not always see from the inside what sort of everybody from the department and the community,” he said.
Beasley’s journey to Mahomet was not straightforward, as he began his career in Mansfield, Illinois. When he finally arrived in Mahomet in the early 2000s, Beasley was grateful for the help and advice he received from those around him.
“I started in the fire service in 2006 in the neighboring community of Mansfield, as I had some family in the department, so I joined,” Beasley said. “I had several people take me under their wing and show me the ropes. And then I started as an EMT in Gibson City, and stayed there for 10 years. Then finally I moved to Mahomet with my wife and family.”
There are many qualities in a successful firefighter, and John Koller is happy to lead a team of firefighters and EMTs who care about Mahomet and Phillips.
“I think the qualities in any successful firefighter are the same you would look for in any successful person,” said Koller. “Having honesty, integrity, apathy and being hardworking are all important. This is a demanding place to work, we ran over 1,500 calls last year. But Mahomet and Phillips are both wonderful communities, and here at the Cornbelt Fire Department, we seem to get the best of both.”
