Volunteer firemen George Duboise of Trumann (right) and David Milan of Bay were named Firefighters of the Year at the annual Arkansas Firefighters Association and Arkansas Fire Chief's Association conventions in Bentonville recently.

Two firefighters from Northeast Arkansas recently received state honors for their commitment to their communities.

Volunteer firemen George Duboise of Trumann and David Milan of Bay were named Firefighters of the Year at the annual Arkansas Firefighters Association and Arkansas Fire Chief's Association conventions in Bentonville recently.

"Each year names of firefighters from across the state are submitted to the Arkansas State Firefighters Association," Trumann Fire Chief Rick Winkles said. "Those names are voted on at the annual convention and awards presented to the firefighters for their commitment to their communities."

Duboise has served in the Trumann Fire Department as a volunteer fireman since 2004. A fulltime member of the 875th Engineer Battalion, Duboise served in Iraq with his unit which had the responsibility of the continuous clearing of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from Iraqi roadways.

Dubiose and his wife Pam have been married for 26 years. They have two children, Tisha, 21, and Preston, 17. He is the son of Rip and Susie Duboise of Trumann and attends Maple Grove Baptist Church in Trumann.

A graduate of Trumann High School, Duboise has lived in Trumann all his life. Many local residents know him from Wildcat home football games where he has assisted on the sideline for many years.

Milam, a Bay resident since 1977, joined the fire department as a volunteer in 1987.. He is employed at Cavenaugh Ford Lincoln Mercury in Jonesboro as an auto body technician. Milam also serves as alderman on the Bay City Council.

He is the son of Clayton Milam of Bay and Marie Milam of Flint, Mich. He has a son, Keith, 20, who is also a member of the Bay Fire Department and a daughter, Kelly, 18.