by Alex Brooks
The Petersburgh Fire Department celebrated yet another year of service to the community this week with its Annual Installation Banquet, which took place at the Veterans Memorial Hall on Saturday evening, April 25.
The roast beef and turkey buffet catered by Fresco’s Restaurant of New Lebanon was a sumptuous feast enjoyed by all.
After dinner Battalion 5-0 Commander Cyril Grant did the honors, swearing in the new officers of the Fire Department. Bill Seel will continue on as Chief, and Abe Snyder is stepping up this year as Assistant Chief.
Chief Seel announced a new awards program to recognize length of service, to be given every five years. All of the members with five years service or more were given baskets emblazoned with artwork recognizing their length of service. The longest serving members are former Chief Earl Brock with 43 years, Siegfried Krahforst with 40 years and Donald Hewitt with 39 years.
Seel also gave awards for the most drills attended and the most calls attended. There was a three-way tie for most drills attended between Randy Harrison, Mike Lindsey and Jonathan Maybee. Ben Krahforst attended the most calls, followed by Charlie Carr and Jim Morgan.
The Department responded to a total of 64 alarms during the year. Fourteen were motor vehicle accidents, five were chimney or furnace fires, eight brush fires, two were structure fires, three vehicle fires, four wires down, six ambulance assistance and several others.
Officers
Chief – William Seel
Asst. Chief – Abe Snyder
Captain #1 – Earl Brock
Captain #2 – James Morgan
Captain #3 – Nathan Michaels
Safety Officer – Randy Harrison
Safety Officer – Richard Snyder
Capt. Fire Police – Charlie Carr
Lt. Fire Police – Don Hewitt
Secretary – Katie Fiske
Treasurer – Martin Conboy
Fire Auxiliary Officers
President – Maureen Seel
Vice President – Holli Snyder
Secretary – Shannon Morgan
Treasurer – Autumn Hammond
Fire District Commissioners
Chairman – Terry Neaton
Sec. and Treas. – Christina Lamphere
Members – Mike Jones, Don Paulson, Keith Snyder and Steve Waytkus