Alvernaz named Firefighter of the Year

Robert "Bobby" Alvernaz was named Williams Firefighter of the Year on Saturday, one of three awards handed out during the annual Ladies Night at the fire station.

Keenan Jorge received Senior Firefighter of the Year, and Sal Covarrubias received the Fire Chief's Award. New firefighters were also recognized by Fire Chief Jeff Gilbert.

The awards are given to firefighters who have shown outstanding commitment and service.

The Williams Volunteer Firefighters Association event is a tradition that also honors the wives and girlfriends of firefighters.

At the end of the evening, which included a prime rib dinner and a casino night, all the men give their winning chips to women attending the event. They cash them in for tickets to win raffle prizes.

"We have to prove to them that we work," a firefighter quipped.