The Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Company's 11th annual Firefighter Banquet was held on Saturday, January 16, 2009 at the Valley Forge Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, PA. This banquet is held annually in appreciation for all the time and dedication put forth by our volunteer firefighters and to honor them for all their achievements over the past year.
Company president Ken Kistler gave a brief welcoming speech followed by an introduction of all the officers by fire chief Rick Beittel. All of the company line officers participated in the awards program. The award categories and the deserving recipients that were honored during the evening are outlined below.
2009 VFVFCo Active Crew
New Firefighers Recognition
Presented by Mark Mastrangelo and Rafael Henin
A total of 10 new firefighters have joined us throughout 2009. The company recognizes the following new firefighters:
Jacquelyn Cory Danielle Domarasky David J. Domarasky Andrew Gable Ian D. McCormick
Evan Miller Brian M. Platt David Schreier Joshua Seib Aaron Sifford
Years of Service Awards
Presented by Rick Beittel and Doug Gable
The following firefighters received Years of Service Awards:
5 Years of Service
Jackie Gruber
Paul Staley
10 Years of Service
Tom Reed
Mike Ross
20 Years of Service
Martin McGovern
25 Years of Service
Rick Beittel Jr.
60 Years of Service
Charlie Schmidt
Past Officer Recognition
Presented by Rick Beittel and Jason Cole
In recognition to firefighters who has given his time and energy to serve the fire company as Line offcers or Staff Officers:
Former Lieutenant Owen Geiger
Former Lieutenant Paul Staley
Former Engineer Rafael Hein
Former Engineer Mike Kassel
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:
Tom Reed
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 2009 in recognition of their commitment to improve themselves as well as the fire company.
In-House Training Top ten individuals attending weekly Monday night in-house drills as well as monthly mutual aid fire company drills
Rafael Henin Owen Geiger Eamonn Creaney Rick Beittel Julius Marosfalvi Kimbel Colket Max Gitin Evan Taylor Tom Cole
71% 75% 78% 78% 80% 81% 81% 85% 88%
The greatest total number training hours in-house is presented to an individual who has attended 90% of drills.
Tom Reed
Out of House Training Individuals who have attended 100 or more training hours at the county fire academy level or higher
Eric Carington Gilespie Jonathan Shepsko Rafael Henin Paul Staley Carl LaPorte Erik Muhlenhaupt Joel Zimmerman
100 100 102 149 160 161 180 200
The greatest total number of training hours out of house if presented to:
Jason Cole, 318 hours
2009 Top Responders
Presented by Kevin Geiger and Rick Beittel
Recognition for the top ten responders for emergency calls in 2009.
Geiger, Kevin Maxton, Doug Taylor, Evan Marosfalvi, Julius Colket, Kimbel Henin, Rafael Cole, Tom Beittel, Rick Creaney, Eamonn
42% 46% 54% 56% 61% 65% 70% 79% 81%
Our top responder for 2009 with a total of 315 out of 329 calls… 96%, which should come as no surprise to anyone:
Tom Reed
2009 Firefighter of the Month Awards
Presented by Kevin Geiger and Rick Beittel
The following firefighters have received recognition as Firefighter of the Month throughout 2009.
January February March April May June
Jonathan Shepsko Ed Jackson Tom Cole Rafael Henin Doug Fuller David Martin
July August September October November December
Erik Muhlenhaupt Jason Cole Edgar Gottshall Ken Kistler Aaron Sifford Barry Bussell
2009 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 2009. This award is given to the individual whose leadership, attendance and performance has set them apart during the previous year.
For the second year in a row, the VFVFCo 2009 Firefighter of the Year was presented to:
Rafael Henin
(Left: Fire Cheif Rick Beittel, Right: LT. Rafael Henin)
Below are just a few images from the awards ceremony:
Image:
"Protecting Your National Heritage" P.O. Box 62 630 Valley Park Road Valley Forge, PA 19481
