12 Local First Responders Awarded for Exemplary Service This Year
07:00 November 24, 2025
By: Cassidy Meehan
Southeast Louisiana's First Responders of the Year Award Ceremony
The recipients of the First Responders of the Year Award from Southeast Louisiana were recognized on November 19 at Keesler Federal's 10th annual awards program, and 12 first responders serving in various roles—EMS, firefighters and police officers—were acknowledged for their outstanding work in emergent situations.
The recipients are stationed in Jefferson Parish, St. Tammany Parish, and Orleans Parish. Their corresponding public safety agencies nominated the first responders for their outstanding efforts serving these local communities.
Nominees were selected on the basis of exemplary service, and former New Orleans Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert had the honor of distributing the awards at the ceremony.
[Mikhail Nilov, Pexels]
Award Recipients
The first responders honored at the event included:
Lauren Billiot, Gretna Police Department
Joseph Bogantes, St. Tammany Fire District 4
Ryan Chaisson, St. Tammany Fire District 13
Joshua Feraci, Slidell Police Department
Greg Flickinger, St. Tammany Fire District 2
Russell Gelvin, Pearl River Police Department
James Godwin, New Orleans Police Department
Michael Hess, Covington Police Department
Michael Kast, Madisonville Police Department
Joey Mizell, St. Tammany Fire District 6
Thaddeus Nicholson, Gretna Police Department
Joshua Voras, New Orleans EMS
A selection of individuals were recognized in an individual presentation:
Sanchass Bailey, A-Med Ambulance Service
Jordan Balsamo, Slidell Acadian Ambulance Service
Andrew Crocker, Kenner Fire Department
Christopher Perre, Jefferson Parish Fire Department
Keesler Federal as Award Presenter
"We are very proud to recognize these extraordinary men and women who are on the front lines everyday protecting our communities," President and CEO of Keesler Federal Credit Union Andy Swoger said in a press release.
Keesler Federal is the largest credit union located in Mississippi, where the ceremony also took place. It is one of the best credit unions in America, according to Newsweek, with headquarters in Louisiana, Alabama, and the United Kingdom, as well.
The credit union sponsors a variety of events, including award ceremonies, athletic tournaments, and arts programming.
The awards program "is our way to recognize and thank [first responders] for their dedication and commitment to keeping us all safe," Swoger said.
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