Groton’s Bode and Shoemaker named co-firefighters of the year

When the Groton Fire Department (GFD) held its annual awards banquet in January, Mariel Bode and Daimon Shoemaker were co-recipients of the Firefighter of the Year award. Giving the award to two recipients is unusual, but Chief Eric DeForrest said, “Given that they both share the same passions, the fire chiefs felt it was deserving for both individuals to receive the award.”

The annual awards banquet is a highlight for all who volunteer their time and a testament to the dedication of those who receive the awards. For any who may have missed reading about Sam Rose and Matt Whitaker, who were also honored this year, their stories may be found in the Feb. 7 edition of this column.

Typically, one person receives the Firefighter of the Year award, which honors a firefighter who has gone above and beyond, not only for the GFD, but also for their community. Whether it be for special community events or making the self-sacrifice to put themselves through specialized training to increase their knowledge, these are the standards by which they are measured.  

“Both Mariel and Daimon went through Basics of Interior Firefighting,” DeForrest said. “This is a lengthy process totaling almost four months of commitment and 180 hours. These two individuals not only participated in the training, but they can be counted on when duty calls to be on the engine and ready to go to work. Both are strong-willed and dedicated to serving their community.”

Bode has been a member of the GFD for only about a year but has truly dedicated herself to being the best she can be. She grew up in Oswego, New York, where she lived with her parents, William and the late Beth, and her brother, Joe.

After graduating from Oswego High School in 2015, Mariel attended SUNY Cortland, where she earned a dual degree in criminology and psychology in 2018, with the intent to become a forensic psychologist.  

While in high school, Mariel played piano and violin, was a member of the school orchestra and ran indoor track. She was also a ballerina for 15 years, yet her heart was bent toward some sort of public service career.

“When I was in college, I looked into working for the FBI, but I found out I would need three years of work experience, so I chose to become a police officer instead,” Mariel said. “I was hired right out of college by the Oswego Police Department and transferred to the Ithaca Police Department [IPD] in February 2020.”

Mariel met her husband, Chris, at SUNY Cortland. He earned his master’s in outdoor education and got a job at Cornell University’s Outdoor Education Program. They were married in October 2021 and bought their home in Groton just prior, where they are happily settled with their German shepherd, Scout.

When Mariel was a freshman at SUNY, she started rock climbing, and that was where she and Chris met. Mariel began climbing again at Cayuga Climbs in Ithaca in early 2021 and ended up asking its owner, Keith Liao, if she could work there part-time while she was working for the IPD. In early 2022, Mariel left the IPD and became the assistant manager at Cayuga Climbs. By that May, she was the manager, and that December, she became part-owner, which she still is today.

“I began to realize how much first responding was missing from my life,” Mariel said. “I wanted to be back in it, so at the end of January 2023, I went down and got applications at the fire department, and Chris and I both joined.”

Mariel couldn’t start her firefighter boot camp in Cortlandville until that August, but from February until then, she responded to every fire call for scene support and attended every GFD meeting and training that was offered.

In December, Mariel became certified in basic exterior, interior and truck company operation, as well as firefighter self-rescue, and just recently she started taking an EMT (emergency medical technician) course. She said she “liked the adrenalin in the training” because she is small and had to work harder at it than the men, but that she “did it!”

“It was mind blowing to me to be chosen for this award because I’m so new — just humbled and honored,” Mariel said. “I really love living in Groton. It’s small but has a lot to offer. I am very proud to be a firefighter here and serve the people.”

Shoemaker has lived in Groton his entire life and is a 2017 Groton High School (GHS) alumnus. His parents are Mike and Sarah Lockwood, and his three GHS alumnae sisters are Makayla, Sharla and Madison Lockwood.

While at GHS, Shoemaker played varsity football, baseball and wrestling. After graduating, he got a job with Land Maintenance Systems in Lansing, New York, where he had worked part-time during high school. Today, he is a butcher for Owasco Meats.

Also in high school, Shoemaker dated Shannon Lang, and they were married in March 2019. They have two children: Daniel, who is two, and Lawson, who is nine months old.

A high school friend, Hart Sirvent, encouraged Daimon to sit down with a U.S. Marine Corps recruiter in 2019, and before long, Daimon was headed to Parris Island Marine Base for boot camp. Initially, he was a motor transportation mechanic, and then he became an enabler for the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion. He served until May 2022 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and then returned home to Groton.

“I actually took a vacation for two or three months when I got back,” Daimon said, “and then I joined the GFD in August 2022. While I was in the Marines, some of the mechanics I worked with were veterans and volunteer firefighters. They encouraged me to join down there in North Carolina, but I didn’t have the time. My parents and my Uncle Bob Hunt are all in the GFD, so I was interested in joining.”

Daimon had to wait a few months before he could get into the Cortlandville boot camp, but by the end of April 2023, he had finished all of his firefighter training and became certified. Additionally, he attended Hazmat Incident Command training at the Freeville Fire Department this past fall, which was taught by a New York state instructor there.

“I was truly honored and appreciative to get this award,” Daimon said. “It takes a lot to go to classes, and at the end of the day, you are volunteering your time. The Groton community has a good fire department behind it — good people. We do well together when things happen, and we’re always looking for new people to join us. At 3 a.m., people can only do so much.”

Daimon spoke about some of the things he does, such as going to fire calls, responding to motor vehicle accidents or assisting with getting people into ambulances, but he said his favorite part of it all is “seeing everybody come together to solve a problem.”

“Be it a fire or doing things for kids like the tree-lighting at Christmas, trunk or treat or the junior firefighter camp, I love how we all come together. If people have questions about how to join, they can stop down and ask or ask someone in the department. I’m looking forward to our new building, too, so it would be a nice place for new people to come to.”

As the chief of the department, these awards are not enough to showcase the dedication of our members,” DeForrest said. “Nothing is stronger than the heart of a volunteer. These men and women give their all when duty calls — no matter the time, the weather or the call. The members showcased this year highlight the dedication each one has for their community. I am very proud, not only of the members receiving awards this year, but of all our members who show up when needed most.”

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922. 

In brief:

Logan Wannall at the Legion

Logan Wannall, owner and operator of Epiq Auto in Groton, is also an entertainer. He will be performing his solo acoustic guitar repertoire at the Groton American Legion Post 800, 307 Main St., from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16. All are welcome.

Outstanding CTE students

The following Groton students were recognized as Outstanding Students of the Month for November and December at the Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES Career and Technical Education Center.

November: Nick Karandeyev, Auto Body; Michael J. Shurtleff, Heavy Equipment. 

December: Caiden Antrum, Heavy Equipment; Zach Muzzy, Auto Body; Connor Slater, Outdoor Education.

The outstanding students are chosen based on qualities such as character, leadership, citizenship, work ethic and attendance. They must also be compassionate, honest, trustworthy, responsible and a positive role model.

Congratulations to these exceptional career and tech students in our school!

Groton Youth Baseball & Softball

2024 Groton Youth Baseball & Softball registration is now open. Go to www.grotonyouthbaseball.com to register your player. Early Bird registration pricing is in effect through Feb. 29.