The Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Company's 9th annual Firefighter Banquet was held on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at the Valley Forge Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, PA. This banquet is held annually in appriciation for all the time and dedication put forth by our volunteer firefighters and to honor them for all thier achievements over the past year. This year's event was organized by Gail Nattle, Justin Quay, Stan Martin and Ken Kistler. The company President, Ken Kistler, was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
All of the company line officers participated in the awards program including firefighter Charlie Schmidt who has just celebrated 58 years of service with the company. The award categories and the deserving recipients that were honored during the evening are outlined below.
Charlie Schmidt, 58 years of Service
Charlie and Evan
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Line Officers for 2008
Presented by Rick Beittel
Fire Chief
Rick Beittel
Fire Police Captain
Tom Cole
Deputy Chief
Kevin Geiger
Fire Police 1st Lt.
Kim Colket
Assistant Chief
Evan Taylor
Fire Police 2nd Lt.
Jim Bohl
Fire Captain
Jason Cole
Fire Police 3rd Lt.
Tom Reed
Rescue Captain
Julius Marosfalvi Jr.
Fire Police 4th Lt.
John Lackovic
1st Lieutenant
Owen Geiger
Fire Police 5th Lt.
Mark Mastrangelo
2nd Lieutenant
Paul Staley
Fire Police 6th Lt.
David Reed
Chief Engineer
Jonathan Shepsko
Fire Prevention Officer
Edgar Gottshall
1st Asst. Engineer
Eamonn Creaney
2nd Asst. Engineers
Mike Kassel Steve Levine
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New Firefighers Recognition
Presented by Owen Geiger and Paul Staley
A total of 10 new firefighters have joined us this past year making 2007 our best recruitment year in decades. The company recognizes the following new firefighters:
Mike Aiesi
Carl LaPorte
Jon Amodei
David Martin
Daniel Bussell
Heather McDaniel
Leah Bussell
Robert Rudzinski
Max Gitin
Anneleise Sifford
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Years of Service Awards
Presented by Rick Beittel and Charlie Schmidt
The following firefighters received Years of Service Awards:
5 Years of Service
Tom Crackel
Eamonn Creaney
Owen Geiger
Steve Levine
Eric Muhlenhaupt
Tim Pellegrino
Tom Reed
Chelsie Wagner
10 Years of Service
Evan Taylor
Martin Mcgovern
20 Years of Service
Edgar Gottshall
Ken Kistler
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Special Awards
Presented by Evan Taylor and Julius Marosfalvi Jr.
The Broken Tool Award is presented to the firefighter who's vast contributions and services to the company are occasionally over shadowed by lesser but equally impressive accomplishments.
The Broken Tool Award was presented to
Ken Philo
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Past Officer Recognition
Presented by Rick Beittel and Jason Cole
In recognition to a firefighter who has given thier time and energy to serve as a Line Officer for the fire company.
Tom Reed
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Achievement Awards
Presented by Jason Cole and Rick Beittel
The following certificates and plaques were presented to the firefighters who have attended the greatest number of training hours both in-house and out-of-house during 2007 in recognition of their commitment to improve themselves as well as the fire company.
In-House Training Individuals attending 72% or more of weekly Monday night drill nights
72%
Edgar Gottshall
85%
Owen Geiger
73%
Brent Feulner
88%
Mark Mastrangelo
73%
Eamonn Creaney
92%
Holly Dougherty
77%
Barry Bussell
96%
Jonathan Shepsko
81%
David Reed
96%
Julius Marosfalvi Jr.
85%
Paul Staley
97%
Tom Cole
Totaling 100% and the largest total number of In-House Training Hours:
Kim Colket
Tom Reed
Out of House Training Individuals who have attended 72 or more training hours at the county fire academy level or higher
72 hrs
Mike Aiesi
101 hrs
Jason Cole
74 hrs
Kim Colket
140 hrs
Tom Reed
80 hrs
Jim Bohl
194 hrs
Holly Dougherty
84 hrs
Brent Feulner
194 hrs
Barry Bussell
85 hrs
Tom Cole
212 hrs
David Reed
Totaling 240 hours and the largest amount of Out of House Training Hours:
Paul Staley
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2007 Top Responders
Presented by Kevin Geiger and Rick Beittel
Recognition for the top responders for emergency calls in 2007.
Please note, while not individually recognized during the ceremony, our three Chief officers responded to an exeptional amount of calls ranging from 161 to 203 alarms.
123 calls
Julius Marosfalvi Jr.
128 calls
Paul Staley
140 calls
Jonathan Shepsko
162 calls
Jay Cole
178 calls
Eamonn Creaney
180 calls
Mark Mastrangelo
185 calls
David Reed
219 calls
Tom Cole
242 calls
Kim Colket
291 calls and the Top Responder for emergency calls in 2007
Tom Reed
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2007 Firefighter of the Month Awards
Presented by Kevin Geiger and Rick Beittel
The following firefighters have received recognition as Firefighter of the Month throughout 2007. These awards are given to firefighters whose performance has set them apart from the other firefighters during a specific month in the previous year. These recipients are selected by the Chief with input from the Line Officers.
January
Tim Pellegrino
July
Eamonn Creaney
February
Gabor Marosfalvi
August
Tim Pellegrino
March
Joe Lorman
September
Max Gitin
April
Chris Wilkinson
October
Edgar Gottshall
May
Mark Staab
November
Ken Kistler
June
Barry Bussell
December
Julius Marosfalvi Jr.
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2007 Firefighter of the Year Award
Presented by Kevin Geiger and Rick Beittel
The following firefighter has been selected by the past and present Chief with input from the Active Crew to receive the Firefighter of the Year Award for the year 2007. This award is given to the individual whose leadership, attendance and performance has set them apart during the previous year.
Presented to
Julius Marosfalvi Jr.
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Firefighter Gifts
Presented by Jason Cole
Every year the firefighters receive a gift that can be used in the fire service. This year each firefighter will receive a mock turtleneck along with a long sleeve job shirt. These will be issued on Monday night at fire school.
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Special Recognition
Presented by Rick Beittel
Firefighter Supporter of the Year
Gail Nattle
We can always count on Gail to prepare a meal for the active crew every Monday night of the year. We truly eat like kings. Her support for all of the active crew is nothing less than phenomenal. Along the lines of cooking Gail has recently given her home kitchen a full facelift with new appliances and the works. The Active Crew presented Gail with a gift card to Williams-Sonoma so she can get herself something really special for the kitchen.
YOU ARE THE GREATEST!!!
Edmund B. Pyle III
During 2007 we have undertaken many large projects most of which required a significant amount of legal work. The fire company would like to recognize Ed Pyle for his guidance, support and professional assistance that helped to complete these projects.
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Past Chief Recognition
Presented by Rick Beittel
In appreciation for your years of dedication to the fire service, your unending commitment to excellence in yourself and the firefighters you lead, your vision for the future and your efforts to ensure that station 68 is well respected in its community and by its peers. For this we are grateful.
The Officers and firefighters of Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Company Gratefully Recognize your Dedicated Service as a Fire Chief.
Presented to
Kevin Geiger
"Protecting Your National Heritage" P.O. Box 62 630 Valley Park Road Valley Forge, PA 19481
