East Shelby Fire Company celebrates dedicated volunteers

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Scott Buffin, Orleans depty emergency management coordinator, left, swears in the East Shelby Fire Company officers. They are, from left, Mike Fuller, president; Kirk Zinkievich, vice president; Allen Turner, treasurer; Allen Lonnen, trustee; Ken Printup and Gordie Reigle, trustees; Dave Green, steward; Jeff Taylor, 3rd assistant chief; Debbie Taylor, chief; Devin Taylor (partially hidden), 1st assistant chief; Andy Beach, 2nd assistant chief; Jared Zinkievich, captain; Matt Grimes, lieutenant; and Steve Wolter, fire police chief. Not shown are Karen Bracey, secretary; Todd Ralph, safety/training officer; Norm Behrend, trustee; and Sue Behrend, EMS officer.

EAST SHELBY – Saturday was an evening to celebrate for the East Shelby Fire Department, who held their annual Installation and Awards Banquet at the East Shelby Firemen’s Recreation Hall.

Dave Green welcomed guests and served as emcee for the evening. Guests were also welcomed by fire company president Mike Fuller and auxiliary president Shirley Printup, followed by an invocation by Rosie Allen, who called for a moment of silence in memory of Joe Newton, a longstanding member of the fire company who died last year.

The first order of business was swearing in of Ladies’ Auxiliary officers by Elaine Watts from Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. New officers are Shirley Printup, president; Sawyer Green, vice president; Deb Green, secretary; Sharlene Pratt, treasurer; Bronwyn Green, Sue Green and Cassidy Oliver, trustees; and Rosie Allen, chaplain.

Elaine Watts from Shelby Volunteer Fire Company, right, swears in members of the East Shelby Ladies Auxiliary at their banquet Saturday night. From left are Shirley Printup, president; Sawyer Green, vice president; Debbie Green, secretary; Bronwyn Green, trustee; Sharlene Pratt, treasurer; Cassidy Oliver and Sue Green, trustees; and Rosie Allen, chaplain.

Administrative officers, sworn in by Orleans 2 Scott Buffin are Mike Fuller, president; Kirk Zinkievich, vice president; Karen Bracey, secretary; Allen Turner, treasurer; Ken Printup, Norm Behrend, Gordon Reigle and Alan Lonnen, trustees; and Dave Green, steward.

Line officers are Deb Taylor, chief; Devin Taylor, 1st assistant chief; Andy Beach, 2nd assistant chief; Jeff Taylor, 3rd assistant chief; Jared Zinkievich, captain; Matt Grimes, lieutenant; Steve Wolters, fire police chief; Sue Behrend/Mike Fuller, EMS officers; and Todd Ralph, safety/training officer.

Service awards were given to members for their years of service. These included Joe Meyer, Julie Taylor and Bill Bacon, 10 years; Dennis MacDonald, 15 years; Alan Lonnen, 20 years; Dave Allen, 35 years; Gordon Reigle, 60 years, and a special recognition for Ron Sanders for 50 years.

In honor of his 50 years as a member of the East Shelby Fire Department, Ron Sanders, left, is presented with this plaque by fire chief Deb Taylor and president Mike Fuller.

Local officials line up to present proclamations to Ron Sanders, left, for achieving 50 years as a member of the East Shelby Fire Department. From left are Sanders, fire company president Mike Fuller; Eileen Banker, representing Assemblyman Steve Hawley; Skip Draper, on behalf of Senator Rob Ortt; Richard Silvaroli from FASNY; Bill Eick from the Orleans County Legislature; and Scott Wengewicz, supervisor of the town of Shelby. Seated at the head table are Sawyer Green and Ken and Shirly Printup.

East Shelby Fire Company president Mike Fuller, right watches as fire chief Deb Taylor kisses Gordie Reigle after recognizing him for 60 years of membership in the department.

Fuller chose Dennis MacDonald as recipient of his President’s Award, for always being a tremendous help, whether on the fire side or business side. He always goes above and beyond, Fuller said.

The EMS award was presented to fire chief Deb Taylor, who Fuller said responds to all the calls she can, is a big part of teaching others and keeps the trucks stocked with the right supplies.

Bronwyn Green handed out awards for years of service to Fonda Carr and Shelby Green, 5 years; Ariel George, 10 years; Elaine Newton, 25 years; Wanda Dingman, 30 years; Bronwyn Green, 35 years; Mary Zelazny and Louise Covey, 40 years.

Printup also recognized outgoing officers, vice president Debbie Green, president Bronwyn Green and secretary Sawyer Green.

Printup presented a check for $10,000 on behalf of the Auxiliary to Fuller for the fire company.

(Left) Bronwyn Green, right, trustee and outgoing president of the East Shelby Ladies’ Auxiliary, recognized Sharlene Pratt for her humor, advice and support. (Right) East Shelby fire company president Mike Fuller chose Dennis MacDonald as the recipient of his President’s Award.

Bronwyn’s President’s Award went to Sharlene Pratt, who was credited with always being there with her humor and advice.

Bronwyn also acknowledged Jessie Green, who was unable to attend, for being the Sunshine lady for 55 years.

Dave Green, a longtime steward of the department, presented the Steward’s Award to Leona Weese for being a big supporter and always helping the firefighters in any way she can.

Fire chief Taylor recapped the department’s achievements in 2023, which included the purchase of an off-road UTV, for which they have since invested in tracks for use in heavy mud and snow.

With a DEC grant they secured, the department has purchased equipment to either replace or provide additional equipment for the off-road and brush truck. They also purchased 20 new pagers for members last year.

One member, Jared Zinkievich, completed BEFO/IFO training, and three members will be starting their BEFO class Monday. They are Victor Jeffords, Josh Fuller and Dylan Taylor.

New last year was a Comedy Night, put on by Eli Howard. It was such a success, the fire company is planning to do another one this year.

Others who were commended by Taylor for taking charge of special events were Bill Bacon, meat raffle; and Ryan McPherson, Wrestling Night.

“I am very thankful and appreciative of every member who makes the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company a successful and thriving company,” Taylor said. “We have a great turn-out of people for every call, and I can say the same for our events. Many members’ spouses or significant others help setting up, selling tickets and cleaning up after events.

“Our Ladies Auxiliary also deserves credit for preparing meals for these events and helping us with our needs,” Taylor said. “And thank you to everyone outside our department who has shown support. There’s a reason why we’ve been in service for 71 years.”

Taylor presented the final awards of the evening, the first to Jared Zinkievich, a fourth-generation member of the fire company, who is in his first year of line officer training.

“We are proud to have him in the department,” Taylor said.

Taylor chose Josh Fuller, grandson of the late Jim Fuller, as “Firefighter of the Year.” Josh, who joined last year, shows up every Tuesday and is eager to learn as much as he can, Taylor said.

Her final award was a “thank-you plaque” to Dennis MacDonald, whom she called her “double O7.”

East Shelby fire chief Deb Taylor was presented with the EMS award from Mike Fuller for her support.