FULTON COUNTY FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION SERVICE DINNER AND AWARDS … Approximately 130 guests including fire department personnel and elected officials attended the yearly event. (PHOTO BY AMY WENDT)
By: Amy Wendt
The Fulton County Firemen’s Association Dinner and Service Awards was held on Tuesday, February 21 at Founders Hall.
This year, the Archbold Fire Department hosted the event and approximately 130 guests attended including fire department personnel and other elected officials of Fulton County. There was no speaker as in previous years.
Years of service awards were presented immediately following dinner with Metamora Fire Chief, Jessica Geer announcing.
Station 100 – Archbold Fire Department awards presented by Chief Dave Davis: Jarett Lerma, 5 years; Daniel Beck, 10 years; John Beldon, 30 years; Nathan Sauder, 40 years; Gary Esterline, 50 years.
Station 200 – Delta Community – Fire Chief Jeremy Gillen (Awards presented by Asst. Chief Jon Gillen): Tim Ellithorpe, 5 years; Allen Naiber, 5 years; Joe Buehrer, 5 years; Josh Buehrer, 5 years; Chris Lybarger, 10 years; John A Simon, 10 years; Josh Heinemann, 15 years; Jack Simon, 35 years.
Station 300 – Fayette Fire Department awards presented by Chief Tom Franks: Tyler Miller, 5 years; Christian Renner, 5 years; Shane Myers, 30 years; Shane Phillips, 30 years.
Station 400 – Lyons Royalton Fire Department awards presented by Chief Matt Smithmyer: Josh Kolasinski – 5 years; Rod Kurfiss – 25 years; John Arquette – 35 years.
Station 500 – Metamora – Amboy Volunteer Fire Department awards presented by Chief Jessica Geer: James Harrison, 5 years; Randall Trausch, 5 years; Matthew Taylor, 5 years; Robert Sayers, 15 years; Andrew Curtis, 20 years; Sandra Witt, 20 years.
Station 700 – Swanton Fire Department awards presented by Chief Ed Dziengelewski: Richie Kilgour, 30 years
Station 800 – Wauseon Fire Department – Chief Phil Kessler: No service awards.
Station 84 – Morenci, MI Fire Department – Chief Brad Lonis: No service awards
At the end of the evening, it was announced that due to inactivity, the Fulton County Firemen’s Association (FCFA) would be formally dissolved, and the Fulton County Fire Chiefs would be making sure that the annual Firemen’s Dinner and Service Award Banquet would continue on.
According to Archbold Fire Chief Dave Davis, the Fulton County Firemen’s Association originated years ago when the departments were primarily volunteer.
The departments would get together monthly to go over business and to participate in training.
Over the years as more fire departments began to employ firefighters as opposed to relying on 100 percent volunteers, attendance at the monthly FCFA meetings began to wane and the departments questioned the viability of the organization.
Ultimately, it was decided to dissolve the FCFA, and the Fulton County Fire Chiefs, who meet every month, would take on the responsibility of ensuring that the annual Dinner and Service Award Ceremony will continue for years to come.
Amy can be reached at amy@thevillagereproter.com