Six members of the Orange Volunteer Fire Department with a combined 250 years of service were recognized on March 12 by the department and the Connecticut General Assembly at the department’s annual dinner.
Joining Orange firefighters at the dinner were fire and EMS officers from surrounding towns, Orange Police Chief Robert Gagne, Orange selectwoman Judy W. Williams, state Rep. Charles Ferraro (R-117) and state Sen. James Maroney (D-14). Ferraro and Maroney brought special resolutions from the legislature celebrating years of service for six members.
Those members were George Geane, with 25 years of service; Secretary Peter Daniel and David Gagel, each with 40 years; Ken Mitchell Jr., with 45 years; Deputy Chief Charles Sherwood, with 50 years; and Fred Palmer, with 55 years.
Six members of the Orange Volunteer Fire Department were honored March by the Connecticut General Assembly for their service at the department’s annual dinner. Together, the men have given 250 years of service to the fire department. From left: Peter Daniel, David Gagel, Ken Mitchell Jr., George Geane, Fred Palmer, and Deputy Chief Charles Sherwood. Photo courtesy of the Orange Volunteer Fire Department.
Other firefighters receiving recognition included: Lt. Daniel Abrams, Lt. Eric Auscavitch, Executive Board member Steven Bernadini and Klevis Kimca, with five years of service; Capt. Daniel Cole, Capt. Joe Duplinsky and Corresponding Secretary Lisa Kaplan, with 10 years; Chief Vaughan Dumas, Assistant Chief Dan Johnson, Drew Panapada and Lt. David Tufano, with 15 years; Stephen Douglas, with 25 years; and John Grasso Sr, Joseph Oleschuk and Roman Oleschuk, with 30 years.
Other awards were given to Engineer Robert Panapada, who was named Firefighter of the Year; Tom Astram, for Most Responses; and Lt. Eric Auscavitch, who was given a special award.
Fire Chief Vaughn Dumas, who acted as master of ceremonies, also awarded honorary membership in the association to Joe Davis, Harold Manley and George Rogers. Honorary membership is conferred on people who have supported the fire department in a variety of ways.
Dumas acknowledged a donation from the Fire Department Auxiliary. The money, raised through a variety of fundraisers, will be used to purchase rescue equipment for a new fire truck that will be delivered later this year.
Volunteer firefighters in Orange responded to 579 incidents during 2018, said Dumas. That is among the highest in the fire company’s history during a year without a major event, such as a hurricane. Dumas also noted that false alarms were down 13 percent.
“The calls we’re getting are more and more challenging,” said Dumas, using automobile accidents as an example. “You can’t just throw down some absorbent material anymore. These jobs often include hazardous materials and other challenges.”
Dumas pointed out that in addition to responding to alarms, many members had completed lengthy classes for certifications as firefighters, fire officers, emergency medical technicians and paramedics. He acknowledged and thanked all the town’s active firefighters for their time and hard work.