Monday night, Great Bend Fire Department C Shift surprised Battalion Chief John Stettinger with a get-together at Fire Station 2 in honor of his 40 years of service to the department. It had been 40 years to the day that he started, and the guys presented him with a commemorative lamp marking the occasion. “Forty years ago this morning I walked into Great Bend Fire/EMS Department to start as a firefighter,” Stettinger said. “Tonight my entire crew invited my family up to the fire station for a surprise celebration in honor my years of service. Thanks so much guys for the wonderful gift and including my personal family for the celebration. I am truly blessed to live with and work beside these dedicated guys each day and be a member of Great Bend Fire/EMS.” Pictured are, from left: Matt Petersen, Kevin Stansfield, David Smiros, Stettinger, Garrett Tindall, Braden Cox, Nathan Florian, Brandon Werth, Herbert Triff and Todd Hamby.