Marion County residents came out to the square in downtown Knoxville Wednesday evening to recognize and thank local first responders during the 3rd annual Marion County Public Safety Night Out. The event was held in conjunction with the 18th anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 terror attacks. 

This year’s event featured awards handed out to local first responders for the work they put in throughout the year. 

Awards included: Pat Silvers with the Bussey Fire Department for Marion County Firefighter of the Year, Kaci Visser with the Pella Police Department for Marion County Dispatcher of the Year, Jason Ford with Pella Ambulance, Melcher-Dallas Fire, and Knoxville Fire Department for Marion County Emergency Medical Services Person of the Year,  Richard Vander Veer with the County Engineer’s Office for Public Works/Engineering Person of the Year, and Andrew Shinkle with the Pella Police Department for Marion County Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Kaci Visser of the Pella Police Department was also featured as the 2019 Marion County Public Safety Person of the Year. She tells KNIA/KRLS News she is honored and humbled to receive her awards. Visser says she feels like she works with a great group of people, a great group of first responders, and any one of them deserves the award but she is honored that she was chosen. 

The event, which was sponsored by the Marion County Emergency Response Association, KNIA/KRLS and the Knoxville Hy-Vee, featured Safety equipment from across the county on display for residents to view and learn more about. Food was provided with a free will donation from the Knoxville Hy-Vee and the KNIA/KRLS Lil Big Red Radio was on location playing music and making announcements.