Hermel honored as Owatonna Firefighter of the Year

While she doesn’t actually fight fires, senior administrative technician Bonnie Hermel has played an integral role at the Owatonna Fire Department for the past 19 years.

“She may not be the one rushing into burning buildings,” said Fire Chief Ed Hoffman, “but she is the one who keeps the department running smoothly.”

Because of that, Hermel was honored last week as the city’s 2025 Firefighter of the Year. The award, sponsored by the Owatonna Exchange Club, was presented to Hermel Thursday during the Firefighter Recognition Banquet at the Owatonna Eagles Club.

This year marked the first time in 22 years that a non-firefighter received the annual award. “Every year the decision is difficult. Bonnie has made a remarkable impact on all of us,” Hoffman said of her selection.

Hermel joined the department in June 2006, after working at both Target headquarters and MoneyGram International.

During her tenure, she has seen many changes, including a new fire chief, the addition of an assistant chief, all new commanders and fire equipment operators, and many new paid-on-call firefighters.

In addition to her Fire Department responsibilities, Hermel plays an active role as the department representative on several city committees, including the Communications Task Force, Culture Team, Social Media User Group and Website User Group. Outside of her work duties, she enjoys baking, reading and spending time with her husband, Steve, and son, Parker.

“I’m humbled to be standing here tonight,” Hermel said as she accepted the award. “I don’t ride on the truck and go into burning buildings. What this honor tells me is that there is there is more than what happens on a call. It’s about teamwork. If my work behind the desk makes their work easier, I’ve done my job.”

In addition to a plaque, Hermel received a board that will be installed on the boardwalk at the Village of Yesterday.

Owatonna Mayor Matt Jessop also proclaimed Oct. 9 as Bonnie Hermel Day in Owatonna.

Guest speaker for the evening was Mike Dobesh, who recently retired as chief of the Richfield Fire Department and is one of the founders of the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE). The organization, Dobesh said, is dedicated to providing Minnesota firefighters with the resources they need to prioritize and protect their health. A statewide advocacy organization focuses on the three health problems most commonly experienced by those in the fire services: cardiovascular disease, emotional trauma and cancer, Dobesh said. From its beginnings in 2016, he said, the organization has advocated for increased state funding for firefighter health. In 2021, MnFIRE orchestrated the passage of the most comprehensive firefighter well-being legislation in the nation, the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program.

This includes a MnFIRE assistance program with expanded emotional trauma resources, an up-to-$20,000 critical illness policy and ongoing health and wellness training that is all provided to firefighters for free.

The group also is involved in training and support activities and educates firefighters about their increased risk for cardiac and emotional trauma issues and cancer, as well as preventative measures and resources available to them.

In addition to Exchange Club and community members, the event was attended by numerous past and present firefighters, including Leon Ellis, the first firefighter to receive the award in 2003.

After the program, Ellis said that he graduated from Ellendale High School in 1973 and, two weeks later, was a member of the Owatonna Fire Department. He said that when it comes to firefighting, there is much that the public does not know and that the Owatonna Exchange Club’s program to honor firefighters is unique.

People usually don’t think about the training and work that goes into being a firefighter until they call 911, Ellis said. That commitment to their job as a firefighter also affects the firefighter’s family in ways most people don’t know, he added.