Departments join together to celebrate the 2026 Healthiest Fire Department Challenge
[LIBERTY, NY] Local businesses and organizations are making a difference in the health and well-being of Sullivan County firefighters through their support of the 2026 Healthiest Fire Department Challenge Turtle Awards. Turtle Awards recognize outstanding efforts in specific areas of firefighter health and wellness, including physical activity, nutrition, mental health, camaraderie and spirit, and community collaboration. Each award is sponsored by a local business or organization that believes in supporting the health of those who dedicate their time to protecting our communities.
The Turtle Awards: A Celebration of Firefighter Health & Wellness, a firefighter event in October, celebrated fire departments for their commitment to building healthier firehouses while recognizing the Turtle Award sponsors who see the importance of supporting local first responders. The generosity of these sponsors is an important part of what makes the Healthiest Fire Department Challenge possible. Since its launch, the program has brought together fire departments, community organizations, and local businesses around a shared goal: making firefighter health and wellness a priority.
“We are incredibly grateful for our Turtle Award sponsors that continue to invest in our firefighters,” said Nicole Blais, Sullivan 180 Outreach Coordinator. “Their generosity goes beyond sponsoring an award. They are helping create opportunities for firefighters to prioritize their health, strengthen relationships within their departments, and build a lasting culture of wellness in our firehouses.”
The 2026 Turtle Award sponsors and recipients included:
Kauneonga Lake Fire Department
Increased Physical Activity – sponsored by M&L Masonry
Mental Health – sponsored by The Rotary Clubs of Liberty & Monticello
Camaraderie & Spirit – sponsored by NYSEG
Community Collaboration – sponsored by Zufall Family Foundation
Challenge Captain of the Year, awarded to Katrina Blais – sponsored by Sullivan Fire Protection Corp.
Jeffersonville Fire Department
Nutrition – sponsored by Rourke Law
Camaraderie & Spirit – sponsored by Jeff Bank
Community Collaboration – sponsored by R52Home
Swan Lake Fire Department
Nutrition – sponsored by Garnet Health Catskills
Camaraderie & Spirit – sponsored by Black Bear Fuel Oil, Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning
Narrowsburg/Lava Fire Department
Nutrition – sponsored by Delaware Valley Farm & Garden
White Lake Fire Department
Increased Physical Activity – sponsored by Prestige Towing & Recovery
Monticello Fire Department
Increased Physical Activity – sponsored by Thompson Sanitation
In addition to the Turtle Awards, Sullivan 180 recognized Smallwood-Mongaup Valley Fire Department as the 2026 Healthiest Fire Department Challenge 1st place winner and Livingston Manor Fire Department as the 2nd place winner, sponsored by Resorts World Catskills.
Interested in supporting firefighter health or participating in the 2027 Healthiest Fire Department Challenge? Contact Nicole Blais at Nicole@Sullivan180.org to learn more.