by Alex Brooks
The Petersburgh Fire Department held its annual installation banquet at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Petersburgh on Saturday, April 24.
After a delicious buffet of roast beef and turkey catered by Fresco’s Restaurant of New Lebanon, Battalion 5-0 Commander Cyril Grant swore in the officers. Bill Seel will be Chief again this year, and Nathan Michaels will be Assistant Chief.
Bill Seel then presented this year’s awards. The award for most drills attended by a non-officer went to Dan Hammond. Jon Mabee was second and Mike Harrison third. The award for most calls went to former Chief Terry Neaton. Second was Dick Snyder and third Charlie Carr.
There were 65 calls in the past year, with an average of nine members per call. There was one kitchen fire, three brush fires, six chimney/furnace fires, sixteen motor vehicle accidents and a number of more routine calls for such things as wires down, trees down and assistance to the ambulance.
In his remarks Seel noted that the Fire Department has quite a few new members, five who are new either this year or last. He welcomed new members Thomas Burdick and Michael Norlund.
Two special awards for long and dedicated service to the Fire Department were given. The first went to Terry Neaton, who has been a member of the Fire Department for 30 years. Neaton served as Chief for several years and is currently the Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners and remains a very active firefighter, as evidenced by his award for attending the most calls this year.
Don Hewitt was honored for his 40 years as a member of the Fire Department and his long service as a Fire Police officer. Seel said, “These two gentlemen exemplify the kind of dedication and experience that we hope for in our members, and they serve as models for us all.”
A Special Perspective
The ceremonies ended with a Benediction from Fire Dept. Chaplain Walter Knightes, who brought a special perspective to the task because he had a serious fire in his home only a few weeks ago and so was able to describe the importance of the work these firefighters do with a heartfelt appreciation. He eloquently described how grateful he felt for the bravery and efficiency of the firefighters who came to save his home.
2010 Fire Department Officers
William Seel, Chief
Nathan Michaels, Asst. Chief
Earl Brock, Captain #1
James Morgan, Captain #2
Dan Hammond, Captain #3
Randy Harrison, Safety Officer
Richard Snyder, Safety Officer
Charlie Carr, Capt. Fire Police
Siegfried Krahforst, Lt. Fire Police
Katie Fiske, Secretary
Martin Conboy, Treasurer
2010 Fire Auxiliary Officers
Maureen Seel, President
Karina Michaels, Vice President
Shannon Morgan, Secretary
Autumn Hammond, Treasurer
Fire District
Commissioners
Terry Neaton, Chairman
Mike Jones
Don Paulson
Keith Snyder
Steve Waytkus
Christina Lamphere, Secretary & Treasurer