Waimea resident William Bergin has been named 2007 Firefighter of the Year for his efforts to promote fire education and safety.

Bergin, a fire equipment operator at the North Kohala Emergency Operations Division in Kapa'au, was nominated by Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira, and received the award from the North Hawai'i Public Safety Committee at an event hosted by the Rotary Club of North Hawai'i.

Bergin, a 12-year veteran with the department, went door-to-door in Kawaihae on his own time urging residents to protect their homes from the threat of wildfires. He is also a volunteer for the West Hawai'i Wildfire Management Organization.