(KNSI) – A Kimball firefighter, a Benton County 911 training leader and a CentraCare paramedic manager are among this year’s winners of the Shields & Stars Public Safety Awards.
The Public Safety Foundation Serving Central Minnesota announced the 2026 honorees. The awards recognize firefighters, officers, EMS crews and community partners across the region, and the winners will be honored Friday night at the foundation’s fifth annual Shields & Stars Celebration in Waite Park.
Amy Inglett of Kimball Fire & Rescue is the Firefighter of the Year. The foundation credits her calm presence on emergency calls, her mentoring of fellow firefighters and work most people never see, like writing grants to pay for equipment and training.
Sergeant Katie Dusing of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office was named Public Safety Officer of the Year. Dusing has spent nearly 30 years in both sworn and dispatch roles. As training director for 911 Communications, she has raised the bar for how dispatchers prepare, and she also serves as a tactical dispatcher, peer support leader and community educator.
The EMS Provider of the Year is Steve Stang of CentraCare EMS. Stang manages ambulance stations in Paynesville, Long Prairie and Benson, but still regularly jumps in alongside his crews. He also trains new responders and teaches young people about emergency care.
The Public Safety Team of the Year award goes to the Stearns County Jail Coordinated Care Team. The group works with inmates living with severe and persistent mental illness, bringing several agencies together to close gaps in care for some of the region’s most vulnerable people.
Two longtime leaders are receiving lifetime achievement honors. Mark Pappenfus has served the Foley Fire Department for more than 40 years, including 24 years as chief. Shawn Vierzba has spent 37 years with Saint John’s University Life Safety Services, and the foundation says his influence reaches well beyond campus through partnerships with other agencies and the many public safety workers he has mentored.
The foundation is also recognizing two community partners. St. Cloud State University soccer coach Sean Holmes is being honored for his work with the Community Out Post Soccer Program, where he provides coaching, field space and college players who mentor kids. The Rotary Club of St. Cloud is being recognized for years of donations and volunteer support.
Other nominees this year include Jacob Galvin of the Sauk Rapids Police Department, Sean Hayes of the Fire Prevention Division, Sergeant Tad Hoeschen of the St. Cloud Police Department, Nigel Masters of Glacial Ridge EMS, Albany Fire and Melrose Ambulance, Avon Police Chief Corey Nellis, Joe Strack of the Randall Fire Department and Carrie Wensmann of Upsala EMS. The St. Cloud Fire Department Honor Guard and Watkins Ambulance & Rescue were nominated as teams.
The Public Safety Foundation was founded in 2015 and supports fire, law enforcement, EMS and community safety programs across central Minnesota.
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