VIDEO: Gerrit Gritters, the only full-time firefighter at Zeeland Township Fire Department, has been recognized with this month’s FOX 17 Pay It Forward Spotlight Award after being nominated by multiple colleagues. The award comes on top of Gritters already receiving the Ottawa County Firefighter of the Year Award, highlighting his dedication to serving the community during their most difficult moments.
“You never know when you’re going or where you’re going,” Gritters said. As the department’s sole full-time firefighter, Gritters works alongside paid on-call personnel who respond when emergencies arise. The collaborative approach proves essential for effective emergency response.
“We had an accident today, and we had nine different people that showed up. So we need those people to show up, because you can’t do it alone,” Gritters said. His motivation centers on helping community members during crisis situations.
