Each year, the members of the Shawnee Heights Fire District nominate members for the firefighter of the year. They then vote on the nominee.  Firefighter/ EMT Daniel Berends was selected as the 2020 Firefighter of the Year.  Daniel joined the Shawnee Heights Fire District in August of 2017 and after completing his probationary time he went on to receive his EMT certification and completed all requirements to become a Relief Officer.  Daniel continues to play a vital role within the department as a Relief Officer/EMT, a member of the Water & Ice Rescue Team and multiple committees.  He graduated high school in western Kansas and moved to the Topeka area in the early 2000’s.  Daniel and his wife of 13 ½ years (Tristan), moved to the district in 2008.  Daniel has two sons, Tobias and Thaine both from a previous marriage.  Daniel works fulltime with the 190^th Kansas Air National Guard as an Aerospace Ground Equipment Flight Chief and as a member of the Honor Guard.  Since joining in 2005, he has held multiple positions in both production and leadership and has been active for both stateside and overseas missions.  Besides receiving his EMT certification from Washburn Tech, Daniel attended Allen County and the Community College of the Air Force to receive an Associate’s Degree in Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology and Human Resources Management.