Five firefighters were recognized for years of service while several others were presented special awards including top firefighter, top rookie and best attendance.
“Being a member of the fire department requires a great deal of dedication,” chief Greg Jones said. “This past year saw, on average, about 7,800 hours of service between responding to calls, training and business with the firefighters association.
“As chief I take great pride in how our members serve the community. When we go on the scene we go with the utmost respect for the people we are serving. We have a great working relationship with our emergency response partners and that relationship is very effective when it comes to co-ordinating big efforts.”
Jones said the department responded to 263 calls during the last year, up from 227 the previous year. He said said there were 31 motor vehicle accidents, nine motor vehicle fires, two medical assists, 75 monitored alarm calls, 36 smoke, natural gas or propane calls, 33 smoke alarm activations, 15 structure fires, 34 wildland (grass fires), three electrical fires, five hazmat calls and eight chimney fires.
“This shows our members need a lot of training and a lot of different skills to be successful firefighters,” Jones said. “That being said, this department is very fortunate to be a very diverse group. There are a number of skills here that make up our department.”
The last year, Jones’ first as fire chief, saw the department recruit 10 new firefighters and is presently at full strength with 54 members.
Jones also thanked his predecessor Bill Crossman for his years of service to the department and the community, saying he played a prominent role in the growth of the organization.
“Members of this fire department are part of a strong tradition. Remember to respect the ones that came before us, respect each other and trust and mentor the ones that come after us while leading by example,” Jones said. “Remember each time the alarm sounds and we roll out those doors that we have the skills and training to fill the need.”
Mayor Robert Small thanked the firefighters for everything they do for the community, adding when most people are running away from a fire, members of the department are running to it.
Small also thanked Crossman for his years of service, including his advice and thoughts on a variety of issues as.
Five-year service awards were presented to Tim Cook, Jim MacDonald and Cameron Moyles, while both Greg LeBlanc and Otis White were presented with 25-year service awards.
Firefighters association outgoing president Matt Selig presented the top firefighter award to Adam White with Andrew Bickle accepting the top rookie award and Dwight Wheaton receiving the best attendance award from Chief Jones, deputy chief Brian Farrow and former chief Crossman.
Selig was thanked for the work he did with the firefighters’ association, helping that organization grow after some tougher times.
The department also recognized several previous ladder sitters including Leon Burke, who did it this year, Chris Hicks and Gary Hunter. Burke was also thanked by Angela Bourgeois on behalf of the MD Association.
She talked to about firefighters about how their fundraising efforts have made a difference for those affected by muscular dystrophy as well as with her son, Jacob, and her family.
Twitter: @ADNdarrell
Five firefighters were recognized for years of service while several others were presented special awards including top firefighter, top rookie and best attendance.
“Being a member of the fire department requires a great deal of dedication,” chief Greg Jones said. “This past year saw, on average, about 7,800 hours of service between responding to calls, training and business with the firefighters association.
“As chief I take great pride in how our members serve the community. When we go on the scene we go with the utmost respect for the people we are serving. We have a great working relationship with our emergency response partners and that relationship is very effective when it comes to co-ordinating big efforts.”
Jones said the department responded to 263 calls during the last year, up from 227 the previous year. He said said there were 31 motor vehicle accidents, nine motor vehicle fires, two medical assists, 75 monitored alarm calls, 36 smoke, natural gas or propane calls, 33 smoke alarm activations, 15 structure fires, 34 wildland (grass fires), three electrical fires, five hazmat calls and eight chimney fires.
“This shows our members need a lot of training and a lot of different skills to be successful firefighters,” Jones said. “That being said, this department is very fortunate to be a very diverse group. There are a number of skills here that make up our department.”
The last year, Jones’ first as fire chief, saw the department recruit 10 new firefighters and is presently at full strength with 54 members.
Jones also thanked his predecessor Bill Crossman for his years of service to the department and the community, saying he played a prominent role in the growth of the organization.
“Members of this fire department are part of a strong tradition. Remember to respect the ones that came before us, respect each other and trust and mentor the ones that come after us while leading by example,” Jones said. “Remember each time the alarm sounds and we roll out those doors that we have the skills and training to fill the need.”
Mayor Robert Small thanked the firefighters for everything they do for the community, adding when most people are running away from a fire, members of the department are running to it.
Small also thanked Crossman for his years of service, including his advice and thoughts on a variety of issues as.
Five-year service awards were presented to Tim Cook, Jim MacDonald and Cameron Moyles, while both Greg LeBlanc and Otis White were presented with 25-year service awards.
Firefighters association outgoing president Matt Selig presented the top firefighter award to Adam White with Andrew Bickle accepting the top rookie award and Dwight Wheaton receiving the best attendance award from Chief Jones, deputy chief Brian Farrow and former chief Crossman.
Selig was thanked for the work he did with the firefighters’ association, helping that organization grow after some tougher times.
The department also recognized several previous ladder sitters including Leon Burke, who did it this year, Chris Hicks and Gary Hunter. Burke was also thanked by Angela Bourgeois on behalf of the MD Association.
She talked to about firefighters about how their fundraising efforts have made a difference for those affected by muscular dystrophy as well as with her son, Jacob, and her family.
Twitter: @ADNdarrell
