by David Flint
The Berlin Fire Company Installation Banquet was held this year at the Bridgeway Restaurant in Cherry Plain on Saturday evening, February 26.
Among the many honored guests introduced by Fire Chief Billy Osterhout were County Executive Kathy Jimino, Jim Church representing State Senator Roy McDonald, County Legislator Stan Brownell, Public Safety Director Kelly Paslow, a number of Rensselaer County Fire Safety personnel and EMS officials, Fire Chiefs from Petersburgh, Grafton, Stephentown and Poestenkill, Amanda Strock of Empire Ambulance, emergency services representatives from surrounding towns, Berlin Town Supervisor Rob Jaeger and Highway Superintendent Jim Winn. Doing the honors as Master of Ceremonies was John Sroka, a Director of the NYS Fire Chiefs Association.
Service awards were handed out to Fire Chief William Osterhout, Jr. (35 years) and to Firefighters Bruce Hake, Sr. (25 years), Stanley Pettibone (15 years), Joseph Sweener, Sr. (20 years) and Charlie Osterhout (5 years).
Certificates for exceptional service went to Tena Harrington and Shirley Wager in the Auxiliary, Jennifer Burhans and Tammy Osterhout in the Rescue Squad, Billy Osterhout and Alan Kennedy in the Fire Department and Stanley Pettibone and Sharon Clapp who served in more than one section of the Company.
Rescue Squad Captain Tammy Osterhout reported that the Rescue Squad responded to 111 calls last year, travelled 3,630 miles and put in 352 person hours. She gave special thanks to members of the Fire Department who gave a lot of their time to help out on these calls, especially Stanley Pettibone, Wally O’Neil, Billy Osterhout, Charlie Osterhout and Joseph Sweener.
In the Firematic line up this year, Steve Barber moves up from Lieutenant to take a 2nd Assistant Chief position serving along with 1st Assistant Chief Bruce Hake, Sr. Stanley Pettibone is the sole Captain. There are four new Lieutenants, Alan Kennedy, Ivan Wager, Charlie Osterhout and Joe Sweener.
The following officers were sworn in by Cyril Grant, Battalion 5-0 Coordinator and Stephentown Town Justice:
Corporate
Chairman – Alan Kennedy
President – Bruce Hake, Sr.
Vice President – Tena Harrington
Secretary – Nanci-Anne Bogovich
Treasurer – Shirley Wager
Directors
George Shuhart, Tena Harrington, Peter von Schilgen, Nanci-Anne Bogovich and Tammy Osterhout
Firematic Officers
Chief – William Osterhout, Jr.
1st Assistant Chief – Bruce Hake, Sr.
2nd Assistant Chief – Steve Barber
Captain – Stanley Pettibone II
Lieutenant – Alan Kennedy
Lieutenant – Ivan Wager
Lieutenant – Charlie Osterhout
Lieutenant – Joe Sweener
Safety Officer – Walter O’Neil
Safety Officer – George Shuhart
Fire Department
President – Steve Kellar
Vice President – Joseph Sweener
Secretary – Bruce Hake, Jr.
Treasurer – Ivan Wager
Steward – Walter O’Neil
Rescue Squad
President – Stanley Pettibone II
Vice President – Nanci-Anne Bogovich
Secretary – Jennifer Burhans
Treasurer – Sharon Clapp
Captain – Tammy Osterhout
Lieutenant – Barbara Staples
Ladies Auxiliary
President – Dawn Hake
Vice President – Sharon Clapp
Secretary – Tena Harrington
Treasurer – Deborah Maxon
Board of Commissioners
Chairman – Mark Primeau
Vice Chairman – Bruce Hake, Jr.
Commissioner – Sue O’Neil
Commissioner – Sandi Slattery
Commissioner – Joseph Sweener
Secretary – Kathy Primeau
Treasurer – Donna Maxon
Following the awards, an evening of dancing followed with music provided by DJ Brad Palmer.
