Willow Grove Volunteer Fire Company Holds Annual Awards Banquet

On Saturday November 12, 2011 held its annual awards
banquet at the . In attendance were many current
and life members as well as many guests from surrounding fire companies. The
neighboring companies that were represented were, Hatboro, Horsham, Abington,
Second Alarmers, Bryn Athyn, Huntingdon Valley and Warminster. Also in attendance were Fire Marshal and his wife, Township Manager David Dodies and his wife, Township Commissioners, Donna Parsell, Joe LaValle and Sam Valenza and their spouses and very special guests, State Representative Tom Murt and his wife.

The awards portion of the evening started off with the presentation of years of service pins. These pins are given to those members who have achieved certain milestones with the Company.

Fifteen year pins were awarded to Frank Kibler and Tom Winterberg; Anne Jones, Captian of Fire Police, receieved a 30 year pin; a 35 year pin was given to Jim Hotchkiss; and 40 year pins were presented to and Dean Fowler.

Then the podium was turned over to Rep. Murt. He helped the fire company recognize 4 members for 40 or more years of continuous service to the community and fire company by presenting them with House Citations noting this momentous occasion. Those members receiving these House Citations were:

• Dean Fowler – Treasurer of the Relief Association - 40 years

• Lee Perlmutter – Chief of the Department - 40 years

• Charley Gysi – President of the Relief Association – 44 years

• Jim Lee Sr. – Chief Engineer – 40 years

These presentations were then followed by the annual company
awards presentations.

First was the Robert Akers Firefighter of the year award.

This award is voted on by the members of the fire company and presented to the
member who has gone above and beyond on the fireground. This award was won by Sergeant Jason Mirandi.

The next award presented was the Most Improved Member of the year; this award is also voted on by the membership.  It is presented to the member who has shown great improvement both in the firehouse and on the fireground. This award was won by Firefighter Kevan Melly.

Finally, The George C. Crotts Member of the year award.

This is presented to the member who has put out the extra effort to make the Fire Company better. This award as the others was voted on by the membership and was presented to Chief Engineer James Lee Sr.