2/15/2008

On February 15, 2008, members of the Simsbury Fire District, Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company and Ladies Auxiliary, along with invited guests, gathered for our annual awards dinner to recognize milestones in service, and to acknowledge members who have made outstanding individual contributions to the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company. This dinner is named in honor of Fire Company member Lieutenant Richard Kelleher who died in the line of duty fighting the Knights of Columbus fire on November 6, 1981.

Service Awards are presented to individuals who have shown longevity in their dedication and are awarded in five-year increments. This year, not only were there members who had amassed thirty and thirty-five years of service, but active Simsbury Ladies Auxiliary Member Lucy Bowman was recognized as having given an amazing forty-five years of service to the Fire Company and Town of Simsbury. Additionally recognized was Tom Moore who served as a member of the Simsbury Fire District from 1988 to 2006.

The Chief's Award is selected by the Chief of the Department and recognizes an individual whose accomplishments exemplify dedication, initiative and responsibility in attaining a goal beneficial to the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company, its members and the community. This year's award was presented to Firefighter Chris Lilley for his many efforts and accomplishments on behalf of the Fire Company. Firefighter Lilley has served as an Engineer on Tower 12 for many years including the recent committee tasked with replacing the previous apparatus which had been in service for several decades.

Lea Hutchinson was the first Chief of Department, a post he held for nearly thirty years. Throughout his tenure he was a staunch proponent of training. Each year the Chief of Training bestows the Lea Hutchison Service Award upon a firefighter who by their initiative and capability has performed in such a way as to show the most self-improvement in the fire service. Chief of Training Geoff Giddings recognized this year's recipient Michael Brown because he has been unceasing in his pursuit of increased expertise and qualifications.

Carl Banks was a member of the Fire Company early in its inception. Carl Banks owned a garage in Weatogue and was greatly responsible in those early days for keeping the apparatus fleet up and running. Along with other members, Carl Banks built from scratch, several of our first apparatus. Each year the Carl Banks Engineer Award is presented to an Engineer in recognition of outstanding dedication and performance as an apparatus engineer for the Simsbury Fire District and Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company.

Engineers are Fire Company members who perform a weekly safety and operational check on their assigned apparatus, its systems and equipment, and are vital in keeping the apparatus fleet ready to respond to emergency incidents. This year's recipient was Bryan Bulger who serves as engineer on Rescue 14.

Congratulations to all of this year's Award recipients.