Solon Township Firefighters Russell Papke (left) and Josh Putnam (right) were presented their badges this week by Solon Fire Chief Jeff Drake (center).

Two members of the Solon Township Fire Department received their badges Tuesday night, in a ceremony at the Township board meeting.

Firefighters Russell Papke and Josh Putnam received the honor, presented by Fire Chief Jeff Drake, as a result of their completion of the Michigan Fire Fighter’s Training Council Firefighter I & II exam.

Papke was hired in August 2013, and is employed by the Michigan Army National Guard, and works at Fort Custer in Battle Creek. He and his wife, Anna, live in Solon Township with their 8-year-old twin boys, Nolan and Leyland.

Putnam was hired in June 2011. He works at Profile Industrial Packaging, and has been youth pastor for Maranatha Baptist for 11 years. He and his wife, Amy, live in Solon Township with their daughter, Olivia.

“I am proud to recognize the commitment and sacrifice you have endured by completing this task and providing a level of competency, compassion, and licensure to the Solon Fire Department,” wrote Chief Drake, in the letter of recommendation for the firefighters.

The firefighters were required to take 256 hours of instruction and eight hours of exams to complete the training.