East Shelby installs leaders, honors firefighters and auxiliary members

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Dave Green, left, was presented with the President’s Award by East Shelby’s president, Mike Fuller. (Right) Josh Fuller was chosen Firefighter of the Year by East Shelby’s chief, Deb Taylor. Fuller also received the EMS Award from president Mike Fuller.

EAST SHELBY – The East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company welcomed members and guests to its annual installation banquet Saturday night at East Shelby Fire Hall, where outstanding members were recognized, those recently lost were remembered and a 50-year member was honored.

The evening began with opening remarks by Dave Green and welcome by Ladies Auxiliary president Shirley Printup and Fire Company president Mike Fuller.

Officers of East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company took the oath of office administered by Dale Watts, a 50-year member of Shelby Fire Company, at the annual banquet Saturday night. In front, beginning with Deb Taylor (in plaid shirt), chief, are Karen Bracey, secretary; Kirk Zinkievich, vice president; and Mike Fuller, president, followed by Dennis MacDonald and Alan Lonnen, trustees; and David Green, steward. Others at left are Alan Turner, treasurer; Steve Wolters, fire police chief; Jeff Taylor, 3rd assistant chief; Matt Grimes, lieutenant; Todd Ralph, safety/training officer; Devin Taylor, 1st assistant chief; and Jared Zinkievich, captain.

Before giving the invocation, chaplain Rose Allen asked for a moment of silence to remember recently lost Auxiliary members Fonda Carr and Margaret Reigle.

Elaine Watts, president of Shelby Volunteer Ladies Auxiliary, installed officers of the Ladies Auxiliary, which are president Shirley Printup, vice president Leona Weese, secretary Sawyer Green, treasurer Sharlene Pratt, trustees Bronwyn Green, Sue Green and Pat Vader and chaplain Rose Allen.

Fire company executive officers installed by Dale Watts, a 50-year member of Shelby Fire Company, are president Mike Fuller, vice president Kirk Zinkievich, secretary Karen Bracey, treasurer Allen Turner, steward Dave Green and trustees Dennis MacDonald, Norm Behrend, Gordon Reigle and Alan Lonnen.

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

Watts joked he bet the firemen remembered when banquets were on Friday nights, and they anticipated bingo on Saturday nights.

In an age where fire companies are struggling to get new members, it was announced the auxiliary had welcomed five new members and the fire company seven. New auxiliary members are Cassandra Harden, Emily Oberther, Natalie Printup, Leslie Green and Jessie Allen. New members of the fire company are Mike Green, Dave Haas, Logan Gardner, David Bell, Nathan Fuller, Mike Hamilton and Brennan Zinkievich.

“When their training is complete this year, we will have six new interior firefighters,” Fuller said.

Kirk Zinkievich, holds his certificate for 40 years of membership in the East Shelby Fire Company. With him, from left, are fire chief Deb Taylor, Bill Eick representing Orleans County Legislature, fire company president Mike Fuller and Eileen Banker, representing Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

The awards ceremony began with Mike Fuller presenting his President’s Award.

“I’ve been president four or five years and it’s always hard to choose,” Fuller said. “But this person is well known and a point man or assistant point man on most of our events. He’s our ‘go-to’ man on little things and big things. He’s also our steward, a firefighter and certified first responder. This committed person is my friend, Dave Green.”

In presenting the EMS Award, Fuller said he and Sue Behrend share leadership, teaching basic EMT and first responder duties.

“This person took the bull by the horns when he joined,” Fuller said. “He took the training class and passed it and is now a certified EMT. It is Josh Fuller.”

Deb Taylor handed out certificates recognizing membership of five to 40 years. Recipients were Mike Hinkley, Megan Perkins, Scott Barber and Ben Schiffer, 5 years; Andy Beach, 15; Jackie Keller and Deb Taylor, 20; Rusty Hoffmeister, 25; Todd Ralph, 25; Kirk Zinkievich 40; and James Ralph, 40.

Dave Morien was presented with this mounted axe in honor of 50 years of membership in the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. Holding the axe are fire chief Deb Taylor and company president Mike Fuller.

Dave Morien received special recognition for 50 years of membership, and was presented with a large wooden plaque with a mounted axe.

Morien said he first joined the fire company when Jack Hassall approached him and asked if he had joined yet.

“So I joined,” Morien said. “It is a great way to get to know people in the area.”

He has served as first assistant chief, secretary, treasurer and fire police chief.

Taylor next announced the winner of her Chief’s Award.

“This person has been in the department for many years,” she said. “If we needed help, we just had to call or text him. He plays a big role here. It’s an honor and a privilege to present this award to Mike Fuller.

Taylor chose Josh Fuller as recipient of the Firefighter of the Year award.

“He has shown tremendous dedication to the fire company,” Taylor said. “He completed his EMT training and also helped bring in more members.”

Elaine Watts, president of Shelby Center Ladies Auxiliary, standing at right, installs officers of the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company Saturday night. From left are secretary Sawyer Green, president Shirley Printup, treasurer Sharlene Pratt, vice president Leona Weese, and trustees Sue Green, Pat Vader and Rose Allen.

Shirley Printup took the podium to present awards to ladies in the auxiliary and acknowledge outgoing members – president, Sawyer Green, treasurer Debbie Green and trustee Sue Green.

Certificates for years of membership were presented to Amber Draper and Lynn Woodruff, 5; Megan Wolter, 15; and Sue Zinkievich, 50 years. Zinkievich, who was in Florida and could not attend, also received a special gift and proclamations from local officials. Final recognition was paid to Doris Antinore for 55 years.

Sawyer Green, left, and Shirley Printup, representing the East Shelby Ladies’ Auxiliary, present president Mike Fuller with a check for $10,000 toward new gear.

Printup also stated the hardest part of her job was having to pick one person for her President’s Award. Her choice was Leona Weese, a member who is fairly new, but stepped right in and took over a new function.

The final gift was a check presented to Mike Fuller by Printup and Sawyer Green from the auxiliary.

“It is our custom to give the firemen a gift every year,” Printup said. “This year they said they really needed new gear, so we are giving them a check for $10,000 toward that new gear.”

Dave Green then called Elaine Newton to the front to receive his Steward’s Award. Fighting off tears, he hugged her and explained how active she had been during 50 years of membership, including the last year when, in spite of dealing with a very difficult time and her husband’s death, she continued to be a tremendous help to the fire company.

Several members, including Morien, received proclamations from Shelby town board and representatives of Orleans County Legislature, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, Senator Rob Ortt and FASNY.

The evening also included dinner catered by Donna Eick.