| The Union Fire Company No. 1 held it's annual Company Banquet in their Memorial Hall. Members and Guests were seated for an evening of food, fellowship, awards, and dancing.
The dinner was provided by Bread-N-Butter Catering. They served the crowd a buffet of good food that included shrimp, crab cakes, stuffed shells, stuffed chicken breast, seasoned red potatoes, a vegetable medley, rolls, salad, and many fine cakes.
After the meal, the ceremony began with the introductions of all Operational Officers, Administrative Officers, and invited Guests.
The lights were then dimmed and a moment of silence was held in memory of Members that had passed away within the past year.
The following Members than recieved awards for top responders:
Top 5 Fire Police Responders
1. Rick Weaver - 306
2. Myron Wagner - 126
3. Gene Patrick - 114
4. Willard Ayers - 101
5. Ron Weaver - 94
Top 12 EMS Responders
1. Brenda Slauch - 364
2. Debbi Troutman - 307
3. Donnie Keith - 252
4. Linda Dutton - 156
5. Ron Griffin - 152
6. Morgan Derr - 88
7. Chip Roten - 82
8. Jason Ricketts - 73
9. Sharon Goldie - 59
10. Samantha Jackson - 55
11. Dave Vining - 48
12. Philip Berkowich - 48
Top 15 Fire Responders
1. Bud Charlton - 362
2. Donald Slauch - 352
3. Morgan Derr - 303
4. Gerry Davis - 285
5. Sam Terry - 266
6. Dave Vining - 266
7. Bill Gray - 265
8. Rich Terry - 249
9. Philip Berkowich - 248
10. Rick Woolson - 228
11. Randy Gray - 213
12. Alan Hastings - 211
13. Mark Vining - 209
14. Brian Kelley - 189
15. Brenda Slauch - 184
The following Members were awarded for Outstanding Service to the Company:
EMS Rookie of the Year = Samantha Jackson
EMS Person of the Year = Brenda Slauch
Fire Rookie of the Year = John Thompson
Firefighter of the Year = Sam Terry
President's Award = Robert L. Prettyman, Sr.
The following Members were awarded the "Life Saver" Award for finding and removing an unconcious female from her burning apartment in the OxHaven Apartments earlier this year:
Allen Fowler
Morgan Derr
Ricky Prettyman
Ladies Auxiliary President Betty Slauch presented as a gift to the members of the Union Fire Company No. 1 a new Cutter's Edge Saw with a Bullet Chain. This saw will be used for roof ventilation.
The Ambulance Division then held the drawing for the all-expense paid trip to Disney World. The trip was won by Bill "Bucket" Goodley.
Fire Chief Rich Terry was then honored by the Board of Engineers as he and his wife, Ann, were given a gift certificate for a weekend Bed & Breakfast in Williamsburg, Virginia.
The company then honored Chief Terry by bestowing the title of Chief Emeritus for his many years of dedicated leadership and service to the Union Fire Company No. 1 as a Chief Officer. He was given a plaque, a license plate, a gold badge, and gold collar pins.
After the ceremony, the members danced the night away to the sounds provided by Pierce Entertainment.
We would like to thank everyone that played a role in making this banquet a success.
During the banquet, the Greater Oxford Area was protected by a Career EMS staff handling medical emergencies and an Engine Crew from the Community Fire Company Rising Sun, Maryland and an Engine Crew from the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department of Mechanicsville, Maryland.
The Mechanicsville Volunteers traveled almost 3 miles and over 150 miles to cover for us during this event. Members of the Union Fire Company No. 1 had covered an event for them in Mechanicsville earlier this Summer.
They were greeted at the door around 1600 hours and immediately sent to West Grove to assist on a large Hay Bale fire. They spent the next few hours along with every other fire company from Southern Chester County wetting down the burning hay.
The Engine Crew from Rising Sun responded to an Auto Accident at the intersection of Baltimore Pike and Township Road in Lower Oxford Township just as the dinner was being served.
We would like to thank both companies that provided our communities with protection as we took a night to recognize our own. It's the continued support from other companies like this that show that the Brotherhood of the Fire Service is still alive and well. |
