It was a time to relax and honor one of their own.

June 26, Barnwell Rural Fire Department, district 11, as they are commonly known, held their annual appreciation banquet.

With the meal, Fire Chief Jessie Elmore said the department wanted to thank the members of the department for their hard work and dedication. He also said this meal was more about thanking the spouses for their support.

Elmore said the department members could not do what they do without the support of their families.

The department currently has 28 members and was organized November 2005.

The department honored Adam Bolen as firefighter of the year.

Elmore said, "He is extremely dedicated. He has taken all the classes to achieve the highest firefighter certification."

Elmore said Bolen is certified as a firefighter II, the state's highest certification for interior structure firefighters.

Bolen has served as an engineer for the department since October 2008 and has been a member for three years, Elmore said.

Bolen is married to Kara (Sanders) Bolen and has one daughter.