By Bill Bates
NEWS Correspondent
Recently, the members of the Mount Ephraim Fire Department held their Installation of Officers and Awards Banquet at the firehouse on Bell Road. Many members and invited guests attended including the Sylvester Family, Department Chaplain Reverend Warren Light, 2007 Miss Flame Bridget Guggel, Commissioner Andy Gilmore, Commissioner Bruce Greenwald and several neighboring Fire Chiefs.
Photo:-
MEFD President Richard Holmes & Fire Chief Mario Scullan present Active Member Kenneth Plantz with a special gift in recognition of his 50 years of service to the department and the community.
The evening started out with a slide show presentation that was created by Department Battalion Chief Jeff Vilardo that was compiled from photos of events and incidents from the past year. Department Battalion Chief Anthony Stagliano, Sr. was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Department Chaplain Reverend Warren Light provided the Invocation. President Richard Holmes gave his usual comical yet serious President's Address followed by Chief of Department Mario Scullan who gave his Chief's Address to the members and guests.
The Installation Ceremony was conducted by Public Safety Commissioner and former fire department member Andy Gilmore. Administrative Officers who were sworn in for the new year are President Richard Holmes, Vice-President Mario Alibrando, Treasurer Anthony Stagliano, Secretary Dawn Parks, Trustee Dan Tokolish, Sr., Trustee Nicole Campanell, Legal Counsel & Adviser Richard Schepacarter, Esq.
Photo:- Marilyn Sylvester (middle) presents Firefighter Fred Vilardo (left)
with the Chief James E. Sylvester Memorial Firefighter of the Year award as Fire Chief Mario Scullan (right) looks on.
Active Force Officers for the new year are Chief of department Mario Scullan, Deputy chief Brian Gilmore, Battalion Chief's Anthony Stagliano, Sr. and Jeff Vilardo, Captain's Dennis Brandt and Mark Campanell, and Administrative Assistant Monica Mallon.
Ladies Auxiliary Officers are President Leslie Gilmore, Vice-President Robin Zettlemoyer, Treasurer Kim Fehr and Recording Secretary Deidra Stagliano.
State Local Relief Association Officers are President Gerry Cantlin, Vice-President Keith Kalbach, Treasurer John Lafferty, Jr., and Recording Secretary Monica Mallon.
Fire Explorer Officers are President Nick D'Alonzo, Vice-President Nick Buckingham, Treasurer Theresa Verrechio, and Secretary Ryan Holmes.
Several awards were present by President Holmes and Chief Scullan. Active member Kenneth Plantz was presented with a special embroidered MEFD wind-breaker jacket for his 50 years of service to the department and the community. Acknowledgments were made for two members who reached 55 Years of Service; Active member Charles Dougherty, Sr. and Active member Howard McCormick. Ladies Auxiliary member Joanne Gavin reached her 25 Years of Service to the department and the community.
Outgoing Officers were presented with a special plaque for their hard work and dedication; Captain's Larry Buckingham - 2007 and Al Cooney 2002 - 2007. Outgoing Vice-President Jack Daleus - 2007.
Marilyn Sylvester was on hand to present The Chief James E. Sylvester Memorial Firefighter of the Year Award that was presented to Firefighter Fred Vilardo "who throughout the course of the year best demonstrated the ideals of Compassion, Courage, Dedication, Leadership, and Loyalty, while providing outstanding service to the department".
Photo: - From left, President Richard Holmes, Vice-President Mario Alibrando, Treasurer Anthony Stagliano, and Secretary Dawn Parks are sworn in by Public Safety Commissioner Andy Gilmore (not pictured).
The John D. West Sr. Memorial Award was presented to local business owner Nino Del-Buono of Del-Buono's Bakery of Haddon Heights. "This award is presented to an individual or organization that has contributed their time and faithful support to the MEFD in their goal of protecting life and property". Mr. Del-Buono was unable to attend due to an injury he suffered several days before the banquet.
The Chief's Award - Fire Explorer of the Year was presented to Fire Explorer President Nick D'Alonzo "Who best demonstrated a commitment to duty and service throughout the course of the year".
The President's Award - Member of the Year was presented to Firefighter/Photographer Bill Bates "In recognition of his hard work, dedication, and devotion to the organization. This acknowledgment of the individuals effort reflects the true asset they have been to the department".
Several Unit Citation awards were presented to firefighters who did great work extinguishing two serious fires (one at Valley Road and the Black Horse Pike and the second on Grant Avenue) and a serious vehicle extrication assignment (on the Black Horse Pike). The actions the firefighters took using their training provided a better outcome of these incidents from the past year.
Following the awards was the reading of the Fireman's Prayer by Master of Ceremonies Anthony Stagliano, Sr. Dinner was served by Caterina Catering of Bellmawr. Members enjoyed an evening of dinner and dancing as a way of giving back to these volunteers for all of the efforts they put forth throughout the course of the year to not only the department, but the community that they serve.
PHOTOS BY BILL BATES
