The Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company celebrated 61 years of service to the eastern Baltimore County and western Harford County communities during its annual banquet held Saturday night at Jarrettsville Gardens.
Approximately 150 members and their families and guests attended the banquet during which awards were given and new officers were installed.
"The members and the community of Kingsville can be very proud of the fact that our company has once again performed as one of the top responding companies within the Baltimore County volunteer fire service system," Fire Chief Michael J. Berna said in the chief's annual report. "Our fire company had another busy year, responding to 983 fire calls for service. It is only through dedication, support, and the willingness of our membership that Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company has been able to maintain an exceptional response rate."
"I would be remiss if I did not thank the family members and loved ones of our personnel," Berna continued. "If not for your generosity of lending them to us, none of this would have been possible. Dedication is what sets our Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company family apart from other fire companies. This is what drives and empowers our members to provide the high level of service to the citizens we serve."
"Looking back on 2014, it was a very busy year for Kingsville," EMS Capt. Courtney Berkeridge said in the EMS annual report. "With over 1,000 EMS calls handled, it is obvious that the demand for service has continued to grow. I am proud to say that we remain as one of the few 'purely volunteer' companies and still manage to maintain an above average response rate."
"As we all grow and continue to live our lives, I realize that volunteering can sometimes take a back seat, but I am thankful that we continue to add more members to our family every month," Berkeridge said. "I am grateful for all of the extremely dedicated members who keep volunteering at the top of their priority list because without them, we would fall apart. Thank you for another great year!"
Several fire company members and one community member were recognized for their service in 2014.
The Vernon A. Brown Sr. Fireman of the Year Awardwas presented to Nicholas Backhaus.
Kyle Dersch received the EMS Person of the Year Award.
The Raymond Layfield President's Award was presented to company Vice President Robert Chaney.
Ronald Cassett Sr. was presented with his 50 years of service pin.
Frank Duchacek was presented with a honorary membership to the Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company. He has worked many long hours, giving financial advice as a member of the fire company's capital campaign committee.
The Top Ten Fire Responders for 2014 were: Shane Hubbe, 452 calls; John Cooke, 399; Nicholas Backhaus, 393; Robert Chaney, 318; Salvatore Rivieri II, 286; Jeremy Heinz, 270; Anthony Backhaus, 263; Jeffrey Weer, 251; Charles Tittle, 244; and Gary Weer, 233.
The Top Ten EMS Members of 2014 were: Seth Torbit, 236 calls; Kyle Dersch, 194; John Cooke, 193; Salvatore Rivieri II, 153; Nicholas Backhaus, 131; Aaron Plumley, 119; Adriana Graham, 99; Alison Brunson, 88; Ini Oyeleke, 72; and Courtney Berkeridge, 63.
The Top Ten Fund Raisers for 2014 were: Rita Sayler, 199; Jennifer Van Gelder, 138; Benjamin Kadow, 132; Joshua List, 108; David Franz, 80; Salvatore Rivieri II, 74; Nicholas Backhaus, 66; John Cooke, 53; Anthony Backhaus, 52; and Deborah Chaney, 52.
The 2015 administration officers are: President Stuart Miller; Vice President Robert Chaney; Corresponding Secretary Rita Sayler; Recording Secretary Scott Taylor; Treasurer Victoria Clayton; Sergeant-at-Arms David Franz; Chaplain Ronald Cassett Sr.; Past President Mario Melfa; Board of Directors J. Kelly Berkeridge, Albert Dilworth, Edward Griffiths and Joshua List.
The 2015 fire and rescue officers are: Chief Michael Berna; Assistant Chief Jeffrey Weer; Fire Captain Shane Hubbe; Fire Lieutenant, Salvatore Rivieri II; Fire Lieutenant Charles Tittle; Rescue Captain Michael Griffiths; Rescue Lieutenant Daniel Conte; Rescue Lieutenant, Frank Deems III; Engineer Alexander Kelly; and Assistant Engineer Gary Weer.
The 2015 EMS officers are: EMS Captain Courtney Berkeridge; EMS Lieutenant Bradley Van Atta; and EMS Lieutenant Emily Dilworth.
In addition to the 50-year honor for Ronald Cassett Sr., other Service Awards were presented: 40-Year Pin to Robert Chaney; 30-Year Pin to Dennis Eyre, Rita Sayler and Timothy Berkeridge; 30-Year Pin to Joseph Kudrna; 25-Year Pin to G. Robert O'Hara; 20-Year Pin to David Ninos; 10-Year Pin to Aaron Plumley and Daniel Conte; 5-Year Pi to Eric Ernst, Jeremy Heinz, Michael Podles, Justin Ricks and Charles Tittle.