Firefighter wins top prize in national contest

A Sidney volunteer firefighter got a pleasant surprise at the fire house's annual meeting Thursday, in the form of a $10,000 check.

"I feel awesome," prize winner Tom Vail said. "It's always good to get a little extra."

Vail entered California Casualty's Work Hard, Play Hard contest, which honors and rewards everyday heroes such as firefighters, volunteer firefighters, peace officers and EMTs. The insurance company, which only insures those employed in public safety, conducts this nation-wide drawing each year. This time, the choice of prizes were either a bass boat or $10,000.

Vail chose the money, to the bewilderment of some of his fellow firefighters.

The prizewinner said he plans to pay some bills with the extra money, citing his own boring practicality. Vail has been a volunteer firefighter for the last five and a half years, but only joined the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department around nine months ago, when he moved to town to work at Cabela's. Vail previously lived in Brush, Colo.

He originally became a volunteer firefighter to give back to the community.

"There's a sense of pride in the tradition," Vail said.

He said he wasn't sure what he wanted to do with the money yet, but might get some new furniture at his wife's request and maybe spoil her a little bit.

Vail knew he was a finalist in the Work Hard, Play Hard contest after he received an email about three weeks ago

"I gave up because I hadn't heard anything," he said.

Vail didn't want to get his hopes up, in case he hadn't won, but was suspicious that something was up when he entered the fire house Thursday night.

"I was surprised," Vail said.

Vail’s name was randomly selected from a pool of nearly 11,000 entries from around the nation.

“These are indeed everyday American heroes,” said Mike McCormick, Vice President Group & Internet Marketing for California Casualty in a press release. “They work hard and they deserve to play hard. We’re excited to give one of them a bass boat or $10,000.”

California Casualty is Headquartered in San Mateo, CA, with service centers in Arizona, Colorado and Kansas. This company is 99 years old and provides auto and home insurance for educators, law enforcement, fire fighters and nurses.