On Saturday, March 14, 2020 the members of the Westmont Fire Company and Westmont Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary celebrated their 53rd Annual Joint Installation Dinner at the Bellmawr Ballroom. This was an evening to acknowledge our volunteer firefighters and EMT’s for their years of service to our community.
The evening began with the installation of our elected trustees Bob Krupinski, Sarah McCall and Alex Tessing. The oath was administered by Captain Frank Jackson 5th.
Next, President Matt Gallagher and Vice President Nate Maronski presented the Ladies Auxiliary President Kim Schemeley and Vice President Kathy Bennett with a plaque expressing gratitude for all of their fundraising efforts throughout the past year from their amazing hoagie sales to the bingo events.
The fire company then recognized the dedication and service of George “Gunny” Purkins with an Honorary Membership. Gunny has been a fervent supporter of the Westmont Fire Company for many years and we hope for many more to come. The years of service awards were next on the agenda. Receiving awards for five (5) years of service were FF/EMT Kyler Graeber, FF/EMT John Grothusen, FF/EMT Shelly Lluz, FF/EMT Brad Medes, FF/EMT Dan Palmadessa, FF/EMT Bill Tessing V and FF Dan Weissberg. Ten (10) year recipients were Lt. Josh Bennett, FF Tom Kettell, Sr., FF Tom Kettell, Jr. and FF/EMT Barb Valle. Lt. Bob Callahan and Cpt. Dan Devitt celebrated twenty (20) years while FF Bob Casey celebrated his silver anniversary, 25 years. Ringing up thirty (30) years were Lt. Jim Heckers, Cpt. Bill Tessing IV and Cpt. John Young as FF Mike Moore received his award for forty (40) years and FF/EMT Ken Horner celebrates his 45th year of service. The final award for active years of service went to Assistant Chief Hank Voigtsberger for celebrating his golden anniversary of 50 years with the Westmont Fire Company.
Recognizing the need to acknowledge those members who are no longer with us but made a positive impact on the organization that we know today, with family members on hand, Captain Frank Jackson 4th and Captain Joe Kite were posthumously recognized for 60 and 65 years respectively. They are greatly missed by the membership.
The evening closed with EMS Cpt. Bob Krupinski and FF/EMT Dan Palmadessa receiving awards for the successful delivery of a healthy baby girl while on duty this past year and. The Ladies Auxiliary then presented an award to the fire company from all of their fundraising efforts in 2019.
A great night was had by all in attendance. Thank you to everyone who made the night spectacular.
Captain Frank Jackson 5th administers the oath of office to Trustees Alex Tessing, Bob Krupinski and Sarah McCall.
President Matt Gallagher and Vice President Nate Maronski thank the Ladies Auxiliary President Kim Schemeley and Vice President Kathy Bennett for their support.
President Matt Gallagher and Vice President Nate Maronski present George "Gunny" Purkins with his Honorary Membership.
5 Year Award Recipients: (l-r)President Matt Gallagher, Dan Weissberg, Bill Tessing V, Dan Palmadessa, Shelly Lluz, Kyler Graeber, John Grothusen and Vice President Nate Maronski. (not in the photo Brad Medes)
10 Year Award Recipients: (l-r) Josh Bennett, Tom Kettell, Jr., Tom Kettell, Sr., Barb Valle, President Matt Gallagher and Vice President Nate Maronski.
20 Year Award Recipients: (l-r)President Matt Gallagher, Bob Callahan, Dan Devitt and Vice President Nate Maronski.
30 Year Award Recipients: (l-r)Vice President Nate Maronski, Jim Heckers, Bill Tessing IV, Dan Devitt (receiving for John Young) President Matt Gallagher.
40 Year Award Recipient: (l-r)Joe Piscopio (receiving for Mike Moore) President Matt Gallagher and Vice President Nate Maronski.
45 Year Award Recipient: (l-r)President Matt Gallagher, Steve Horner (presenting), Ken Horner and Vice President Nate Maronski.
50 Year Award Recipient: (l-r)President Matt Gallagher Hank Voigtsberger and Vice President Nate Maronski.
Special Award Recipients: (l-r)Vice President Nate Maronski, Dan Palmadessa, Bob Krupinski and President Matt Gallagher.
60 Year Award Recipient Franklin P. Jackson 4th: Jackson Family Members with President Matt Gallagher and Vice President Nate Maronski.
65 Year Award Recipient Joseph W. Kite: (l-r)Vice President Nate Maronski Joe Kite (son) and President Matt Gallagher.
