The Bethany Volunteer Fire Department held their 2019 Installation Banquet at Batavia Downs on Saturday evening.
Timothy McCabe is Firefighter of the Year for 2018.
“No matter how many things are on his plate, he is still willing to do more,” says Chief Pietrzykowski.
“From going to 55 calls last year to spending countless hours selling UTV tickets for the department. He also attended multiple state trainings last year and was tied for the most in house training hours in the department. All year he was in charge of setting up for parades and taking the trucks to whatever parades he could. In September he also signed up for EMT class.”
In 2018, the Bethany Fire Department responded to 142 calls for service, which was 15 calls above the average 5 year average of 127 calls for service.
Chief Pietrzykowski says 75% of the calls were EMS related.
The busiest day for the department was October 6, 2018. Bethany Fire responded to two EMS calls, a false fire alarm and a major motor vehicle accident involving the department’s ambulance. The ambulance has been out of service since this date.
The department is getting ready to put a new ambulance in service, a 2018 ram 5500 4×4 built by Demers and sold through Northeast Rescue Vehicle out of Syracuse.
The Chief’s Award went to the three members of the ambulance crew that were involved in the accident.
“After the accident, these individuals, even though injured themselves, did everything in their power to help each other, help the victim and keep the area safe for the public during a torrential down pour,” says Pietrzkowski.
“I cannot say enough how proud I am of these three individuals and the actions they performed that night.”
EMT of the Year for 2018 was Dan Adams.
The President’s Award was presented to Kyle Rombaut and Greg Johnson.
The Top Ten Responders are:
- Jim Duvall- 110 calls
- Jamie Fluker-69
- Jeff Pietrzykowski-63
- Jeff Fluker-55
- Tim McCabe-55
- Kyle Rombaut-51
- George Larish-49
- Dan Adams-47
- Mel Davis-45
- Jeff Wolak-43
The Most County/state Training hours award goes to Rick Klunder III with 112 hours of state training. He completed BEFO Rescue Tech, Alternative fueled vehicle and Swift Water awareness training.
Most in- house training awards went to Greg Johnson and Tim McCabe each with 54 hours of department training.
The department also recognized three members who passed in 2018.
Harry Ripple, Mike Thurley and Bob Schunk.
Swearing in of Officers for 2019