Saturday, January 19, 2013

Nature: Volunteer Firefighter Recognition Program Awards

On Saturday, January 19, 2013, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company held its Annual Firefighter Appreciation Banquet at Baywood Greens Clubhouse and recognized many members for their community contributions and volunteerism.

Firefighter of the Year Award – James R. Wagner

The Firefighter of the Year Award is considered an honor within the volunteer fire service to recognize one of its finest fire service personnel for their personal diligence, dedication and professionalism to excel beyond the call of duty by not only assisting those in need but attempting to make a difference.

After joining the volunteer fire service way before many of us knew there were days on a calendar or there about, this nominee has attempted to lend a helping hand towards many committee assignments, work details, attended many ancillary meetings, vigorously participated in fire school trainings and various professional development programs within the fire company, and excelled at many incidents by performing his designated assignment with the utmost professionalism, caring demeanor, and best behavior.

This nominee knows it’s a volunteer basis, but recognizes the human factor and offers compassion and treats every situation as an opportunity to save somebody’s life or property with due care and diligence. This nominee has contributed hours in many ways, helping a many of victims out of emergency situations, volunteering and attending stand-by assignments at neighboring stations, functioning as apparatus operator, chief engineer, engineer, friend, mentor, and always offering a pleasurable personality to associate with during these events. This nominee has contributed as much time as possible while jugging his active social commitments serving in many elected and appointed positions at the company. Most of all, this nominee desires to lend a helping hand by volunteering during any fire company function, fire prevention week, pursuing drills and trainings with enthusiasm and attending alarms with vigor and excitement.

Therefore, it gives us much pleasure to introduce the 2012 Firefighter of the Year Recipient as our friend, fellow mentor, brother firefighter and a true aspiration for all volunteers….

Please join us in recognizing this young chap and exceptional role model – James R. Wagner.

You may find additional information regarding Jim Wagner by viewing the following webpages:

http://www.irvfc.com/profile.cfm?id=103

http://www.irvfc.com/gallery.cfm?id=922

Henry C. Warrington Award Recipient – Joseph H. Thompson, III

The Henry C. Warrington Award is considered a prestigious honor within the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company and is intended to emphasize the characteristics that Henry C. or “Clay” portrayed within our community while representing the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company.

 Henry was a person who was always there to teach and mentor a fellow firefighter and bestow upon them his knowledge, skills and abilities. With respect to this year’s nominee – Henry’s sincerity and calm personality towards some was past down as well.  Henry always enjoyed taking the stroll down memory lane to highlight the milestones that the company and its members had achieved as a brotherhood.  Henry was always considerate of his true feelings towards other. 

 Henry was active in the volunteer fire service until the end and never missed the opportunity to enjoy the fellowship with his brother firefighter. This year’s nominee also takes time to embrace camaraderie and regularly joins in to reminisce during the end of event size up back at Station #1. This nominee is truly compassionate with respect to a member’s feelings and capabilities as well as their ability to be effective with their expected tasks.  This nominee strives to identify the better attributes of all volunteers and associates of the fire service.

Tonight, this award is intended to highlight the accomplishments and dedication of an active firefighter who has attempted to contribute endless amounts of assistance, guidance and devotion to the community for which he now resides and has parlayed years of “participation” within the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company as an active member within our community.  This nominee participates in activities of the company on a regular basis – including having served in various appointed positions and is an apparatus operator and willing to assist with task requested. 

Since joining the volunteer fire services this nominee has been hard-working, dedicated and a diligent member and friend of the volunteer fire service…”  Remember the characteristics of Henry Clay Warrington:

• An active and dedicated volunteer;
• A devoted and diligent public servant;
• A friend of many in the volunteer firefighter service;
• A confidante to those aspiring to perform civic duties in the company.
• A mentor to those aspiring to keep company vehicles, equipment, and vessels in top notch operating shape as well as always ready for service; and
• A mentor to those aspiring to keep family and friends in the forefront of every objective.

Therefore, it gives us great pleasure to introduce the 2012 Recipient of the Henry C. Warrington Award as our comrade, brother firefighter, mentor and a true friend!

Please join us in recognizing – Joseph H. Thompson, III

You may find additional information regarding Joe Thompson by viewing the following webpage:

http://www.irvfc.com/profile.cfm?id=93

Chief's Years of Service Award - Steven C. Deery, Jr.

 The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company wishes to acknowledge the contribution and years of service to a member that has reached a milestone within the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company and has decided to pursue other opportunities on behalf of our organization. 

Initially, joining the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company in January 1990 as Probationary Junior Member and serving 23 consecutive years and serving in many company elected and appointed positions.   Most recently, the past seven (7) years (2006 thru 2012) has been our Chief.

Not long ago, December 2011, was awarded a life membership within the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company based upon fulfilling 20 years of active service and holding the Chief’s position. 

Having recently completed his presidency in the Sussex County Fire Chief’s Association and pursing leadership roles in the Sussex County Firefighters Association, he has decided to pursue administrative roles within Indian River as well. 

Please join us in recognizing Steven C. Deery, Jr. for his past tenure as Chief of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company for the time period of January 2006 thru December 2012.

Additional information may be reviewed at the following webpage:

http://www.irvfc.com/profile.cfm?id=30 

Chief's Recognition Award - Billie Jo Casapulla

The Chief's Award category was established to recognize a firefighter or fire company member that has served our community by volunteering and in many cases exceeded expectations with preservance, commitment, and dedication in order to complete the assigned task. 

 This award is intended to highlight the accomplishments and dedication of an active firefighter who has achieved completion of her fire school training, excelled at various firefighting tasks and assignments, and has attempted to contribute continual amounts of assistance, patience and devotion to the community for which she now resides and has parlayed “participation” in many areas including but not limited the following committee assignments: membership; entertainment; fire prevention; ways & means; adopt-a-highway; breakfasts as well as performing many other tasks specifically requested by the Chief without recognition.  This nominee participates in many activities of the company on a regular basis.

Since joining the volunteer fire services this nominee has overcome diverse situation and has been hard-working, dedicated and a thoughtful member of the volunteer fire service

 Therefore, it gives us great pride to introduce on behalf of Immediate Past Chief Steven C. Deery, Jr. the 2012 Recipient of the Chief’s Award as our comrade and friend!

 Please join me in recognizing – Billie Jo Casapulla

President's Recognition Award - Tyler N. Wright

The President’s Award category was established to recognize a firefighter or fire company member that has served our community by volunteering and in many cases exceeding expectations with preservance, commitment, dedication, and hard-work in order to complete the assigned tasks regardless of the nature of the request.

Tonight, this award is intended to highlight the accomplishments and dedication of an active firefighter who has attempted to contribute continual amounts of assistance, patience and devotion to the community for which he resides and has parlayed “participation” in many areas of community service and working behind the scene for little or no recognition.  This designee has unselfishly served our community and community organization for many years.  

Volunteerism, community spirit, community pride, and kindly helping others has been within his family heritage and passed down through generations.

Since joining the volunteer fire service this nominee has provided direction and guidance to junior members and other active members – his commitment to hard-work, and being thoughtful member of the volunteer fire service has been greatly appreciated.

Therefore, I am pleased to acknowledge these efforts and introduce the 2012 Recipient of the President’s Award as our friend and just offer a plain heartfelt – “thank you!”

Please join us in recognizing – Tyler N. Wright  

Additional information may be viewed at the following website:

http://www.irvfc.com/profile.cfm?id=440 

Life Membership Award – N. Jean Moore

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company wishes to acknowledge the contribution of a member that has reached an anniversary milestone within the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company.   This member joined the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company in Calendar Year 1967 serving one year prior to a residential relocation and rejoined in January 1972 after relocating back to the area and has devoted herself and countless hours to helping the community and residents of Oak Orchard, Riverdale, Long Neck and surrounding vicinities. Her continued volunteerism and patronage to the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was the rationale for recognizing her this evening. 

Over the years, she has served in the following leadership positions within the Ladies Auxiliary that endlessly supported the volunteer fire service:  President, Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary and chairperson of everyone committee hosted by the organization. 

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company desires to recognize her for this distinctive service to our organization and acknowledge her devoted diligence, untiring dedication and an outstanding work commitment for many years. 

The nominee is the longest serving member of the Ladies Auxiliary and credits her accomplishments as being able to fulfill and finalize the kitchen facility renovations; the implementation of a Junior Membership Program for the Ladies Auxiliary; as well as the successfulness of the Easter candy sales; breakfast and dinner events, concessions, etc.

Therefore, we say “thank you” and bestow this Life Membership to N. Jean Moore which was officially enacted in December 2012 and presented this evening.

Additional information may be viewed at the following website:

http://www.irvfc.com/profile.cfm?id=271 

 General Acknowledgement & Appreciation Effort – Janice C. Timmons, Realtor

This effort is to recognize a long-time supporter of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company by offering a friend and business associate an expression of our appreciation! 

Over the years, we have developed professional relationships and have requested her assistance many times; however, over the years we have perpetually relied on the professional services and expertise that has yielded a few business transactions which significantly allowed our organization to be better prepared for the long-term with respect to corporate assets and holdings.

Approximately, seven (7) years ago in August 2006, Indian River embarked upon an initial business deal which was sometimes heavily criticized by our fellow firefighters but was overtly in the financial best interest of overall organization.

Approximately, two (2) years ago, Indian River unofficially continued discussing potential financial dealings and within the past year ultimately accomplished what was routinely identified as practically impossible transaction.

These aforementioned services included the savvy business insight of an associate that continued to update Indian River on potential land options and activity that could directly enhance our organization.  In the midst of this relationship efforts, Indian River acquired real estate adjacent to the Long Neck facility that will be utilized for future expansion as well as an additional 6 acre land option in Oak Orchard adjoining our property and without her real estate prowess Indian River could have never accomplished these feats.

Therefore, we are pleased to acknowledge the efforts of our corporate realtor.  Please join us in recognizing Janice C. Timmons for protecting Indian River’s real estate interest and perpetual future.