When people are facing emergency situations, all they have to do is dial 9-1-1 to bring police officers and firefighters to their house, day or night.

As a reward for their continued service and round-the-clock dedication, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 108 held its annual awards ceremony for public safety personnel on Sunday afternoon.

“We greatly appreciate everything you do for us and this is just our little thank you,” said Pat Bliss, president of Unit 108 since 2003. “I wish we could do one of these (programs) once a month for you guys because that’s how special you are to us.”

Following a buffet dinner, certificates of appreciation were presented to members of the Oxford Village Police Department, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and Oxford Fire Department.

Five members from these three agencies were singled out to receive special honors for their commitment to their job, service to the community and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty.

Receiving the Reserve Officer of the Year Award was Sgt. Brian Schick, a volunteer member of the village police force for more than 20 years. “In that time, he’s worked countless hours,” said village Police Chief Mike Solwold.

Schick has taken it upon himself to become a training officer for the agency, instructing his fellow officers in the areas of firearms, first aid and CPR as well as Tasers.

“Brian (underwent) this training on his own with little to no cost to the department,” Solwold said.

The chief said Schick has proven himself to be “a valuable asset” time and time again.

“I know I can call on Brian when I need reserves for details,” he said.

Even when these manpower requests are made at the last minute, Solwold said Schick’s “response is always, ‘Yes, sir. Will do. If we can’t get someone to cover (the assignment), then I’m going to come in and handle it myself.’”

“When you’re a supervisor and you ask for things to get done with no questions asked and no complaining, (Schick’s attitude is) priceless,” the chief added.

The village’s Robyn Zanin was named Service Officer of the Year. She started with the agency in 2015 as a reserve dispatcher, then took on the role of service officer, manning the front desk and helping the chief.

“2018 was a transitional year for me and the department,” Solwold said. “As a condition of my contract, I was sent to Lansing for (staff and command) training, which had me going back and forth for six months. During this time, my mom passed away and I was trying to run a department. I stayed in constant contact with Robyn and (had) her do many things for me to help keep the department moving administratively.”

Solwold said Zanin “never complained or even asked for any time off,” and because of her “perseverance,” the agency continued to function without skipping a beat.

Earning the Deputy of the Year Award was Reynolds Grant from the sheriff’s office.

“Deputy Grant shows outstanding initiative,” said Sheriff’s Lt. Scott Patterson, commander of the Oxford Township substation. “He leads by example and his work ethic is second to none.”

In addition to his patrol duties, Patterson said Grant volunteered “to do all of the sex offender registration investigations” and assists in the detective bureau “when needed.”

“He does this because he’s a team player,” the lieutenant said. “He receives no additional pay for these efforts . . . Deputy Grant performs all tasks asked of him and more. He does this without complaint. He can always be counted on by his partners and supervisors.”

The Reserve Deputy of the Year Award went to Cpl. Bruce Mack. “Deputy Mack stands out . . . I have never seen someone apply himself to the reserve program (the way) he does,” Patterson said. “Actually, I think he’s there (at the substation) more than my full-time people because everybody knows Bruce.”

Mack works many special events, does ride-alongs with full-time deputies and regularly visits students at Oxford’s elementary schools as a “mystery reader,” according to the lieutenant.

“Frankly, I don’t know when you actually sleep, Bruce,” Patterson said. “If you need something, anything, he is there lending a helping hand. His heart is as big as it gets.”

Dave Furman was named Firefighter of the Year. He’s been a paid-on-call member of the Oxford department since 2016.

Fire Chief Pete Scholz said even though Furman’s only been with the department for a short time, he has voluntarily taken an active role when it comes to training others.

“There’s always someone there that he’s willing to help and (he) does it graciously,” Scholz said.