Two volunteer firefighters who have served four decades with Ketchikan’s South Tongass Volunteer Fire Department were recognized on Monday by the Borough Assembly. South Tongass Fire Chief Steve Rydeen praised Chuck Denny and Dennis Spurgeon’s commitment to the department. “This is probably the highlight of my career – being able to recognize two vital parts of our department who have made it what it is today.” He thanked them for their dedication, and for training and mentoring new members. “I can’t say enough about these guys. They’re there every Thursday night for drill. They’re there every Saturday that we have a drill or a cleanup. They’re there to help others. We can call them, and they show up without hesitation.” Rydeen then presented them with a replica of a traditional firefighter’s tool known as a “speaker trumpet.” Those megaphone-like tools were once used to communicate and cut through the cacophony of a fire scene.