On February 13, 2009, 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, Firefighter Don Tuller was recognized for giving thirty years of service to the citizens and Town of Simsbury.

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 Lieutenant Jason Gilbert for his many efforts and accomplishments on behalf of the Fire Company including his involvement with the Junior Firefighters Program.

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. Award recipient Firefighter Susan Colman was recognized by Chief of Training Geoff Giddings for her steadfast pursuit of training.

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 John Solury who serves as engineer on Engine 13. This is second time Engineer Solury has received the award in recent years.

Congratulations to all of this year's Award recipients.

The Connecticut Firefighters Pipers lead the Company Honor Guard into the hall.

Firefighter Susan Colman and Chief Dan Hayes (ret.) serve as Honor Guard.

Chief James Baldis congratulates Firefighter Bryan Bulger on his five years of service.

Ladies Auxiliary President Stephanie Brown and District President Kevin North present Auxiliary Member Jackie Battos with her 5 Year Service Award.

Firefighter Ron Ryan (left) is presented his 10 Year Service Award by Chief James Baldis and Fire District President Kevin North.

Lieutenant Vic Civitillo (right) receives his 10 Year Service Award.

Ladies Auxiliary Member Donna Anderson receives her 10 Year Service Award.

Having served as a firefighter and now a photographer, Ken Beliveau has given 20 years of service to the Fire Company.

Captain Randy Chesanek (right) receives his 20 Year Service Award.

Fire District President Kevin North congratulates Lieutenant James Vangunten on 20 years of service.

Firefighter Walter Banzhaf christens his new rocking chair.

Chiefs Kevin Kowalski and James Baldis congratulate Chief Michael Jepeal (right) on amassing 25 years of service.

Lieutenant David Driscoll looks comfortable in his new rocker.

Fire District President presents Firefighter Don Tuller (right) with his 30 Year Service Award.

Chief Michael Jepeal who oversees the apparatus fleet presents Engineer John Solury (right) with the Carl Banks Award.

Chief's Award recipient Lieutenant Jason Gilbert and Chief of the Department James Baldis.

Chief of Training Geoff Giddings presents Susan Colman with the Lea Hutchinson Award.

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The Connecticut Firefighters Pipers lead the Company Honor Guard into the hall.

 

Fire Company Service Award Recipients 5 Year Award Firefighter Bryan Bulger 10 Year Award Firefighter Ron Ryan Lieutenant Vic Civitillo 20 Year Award Photographer Ken Beliveau Captain Randy Chesanek Lieutenant James Vangunten 25 Year Award Firefighter Walter Banzhaf Chief Michael Jepeal Lieutenant David Driscoll 30 Year Award Firefighter Don Tuller

Ladies Auxiliary Service Award Recipients 5 Year Award Jackie Battos 10 Year Award Donna Anderson

 

Photographs by Ken Beliveau