The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Berlin Fire Dept. Installation

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Young Cole Gerstel was the life of the party at the Berlin Fire Company Installation Banquet. Here he joins in the swearing-in ceremony. (Alex Brooks photo)
Young Cole Gerstel was the life of the party at the Berlin Fire Company Installation Banquet. Here he joins in the swearing-in ceremony. (Alex Brooks photo)

 

 

by Alex Brooks

The Berlin Volunteer Fire Company held its Annual Installation Banquet on Saturday evening, February 28, celebrating 105 years of service since its inception in 1904.

After a cocktail hour from 6 to 7 pm, Master of Ceremonies John Sroka welcomed everyone, and Pastor Matt Olsen spoke the Invocation. A sumptuous dinner of roast beef and turkey, provided by Fresco’s catering service, was enjoyed by all.

After dinner the 2009 Officers were sworn in by Battalion 5-0 Commander Cyril Grant, after which M.C. John Sroka continued to entertain the crowd between the many award presentations.

Honored guests included Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino, County Legislators Stan Brownell and Lester Goodermote, several Rensselaer County Fire Safety personnel and representatives from most of the emergency services of surrounding towns.

At the conclusion of the ceremonies, Sroka thanked the Banquet Committee, which included Tena Harrington, Nanci-Anne Bogovich, Sharon Clapp, Deborah Maxon and Tammy Osterhout, for organizing the Banquet, and turned the event over to Ernie Daoust and Sound Control DJs for music and dancing, which filled the latter part of the evening.

Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Mark Primeau presents a plaque to George Shuhart thanking him for his 15 years of service as a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners. For part of that time, Shuhart served as the Chairman of the Fire Commissioners, and he was instrumental in securing the funding and arranging the bonding for the Department’s newest fire truck, a Compressed Air Foam Pumper put into service a little over two years ago. Shuhart is also one of the longest serving members of the Fire Company, with 36 years of service and counting. Primeau is flanked by Commissioners Sue O’Neil and Joe Sweener Sr. (Alex Brooks photo)
Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Mark Primeau presents a plaque to George Shuhart thanking him for his 15 years of service as a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners. For part of that time, Shuhart served as the Chairman of the Fire Commissioners, and he was instrumental in securing the funding and arranging the bonding for the Department’s newest fire truck, a Compressed Air Foam Pumper put into service a little over two years ago. Shuhart is also one of the longest serving members of the Fire Company, with 36 years of service and counting. Primeau is flanked by Commissioners Sue O’Neil and Joe Sweener Sr. (Alex Brooks photo)

 

 

Berlin Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. 2009 Officers

Corporate

President – Bruce Hake, Sr.

Vice President – Tena Harrington

Secretary – Wilma Anderson

Treasurer – Shirley Wager

Chairman – Alan Kennedy

Directors: Peter Von Schilgen, Wilma Anderson, Nanci-Anne Bogovich, Tena Harrington, George Shuhart

Executive Committee

President – Stanley Pettibone II

Vice President – Joseph Sweener, Sr.

Secretary – Bruce Hake, Jr.

Treasurer – Ivan Wager

Steward – Joseph Sweener, Sr.

Firematic

Chief – William Osterhout, Jr.

Assistant Chief – Bruce Hake, Sr.

Captain Co. 1 – Peter Von Shilgen

Captain Co. 2 – Stanley Pettibone II

Captain Co. 3 – Alan Kennedy

Captain Co. 4 – Leonard Clapp

Lieutenant Co. 1 – Jay Estabrooks

Lieutenant Co. 2 – Edward Legg

Lieutenant Co. 3 – Ivan Wager

Lieutenant Co. 4 – Annette Legg

Safety Officer – Joseph Rechen

Safety Officer – George Shuhart

Training Officer – Joseph Rechen

Rescue Squad

President – Stanley Pettibone II

Vice President – Nanci-Anne Bogovich

Secretary – Sharon Clapp

Treasurer – Matthew Olsen

Captain – Wilma Anderson

Lieutenant – Barbara Staples

Ladies Auxiliary

President – Nanci-Anne Bogovich

Vice President – Shirley Wager

Secretary – Tena Harrington

Treasurer – Debby Maxon

Board Of Commissioners

Chairman – MarkPrimeau

Vice Chairman – Bruce Hake, Jr.

Secretary/Treasurer – Wilma Anderson

Shirley Flavin, Susan O’Neil, Joseph Sweener, Sr.