Kane Volunteer Fire Department honors volunteers
The Kane Volunteer Fire Department held its annual banquet March 4 at the Kane Fire Hall.
Prayer before dinner was given by Pastor David Pfleiger and dinner cooked by Sheila Lupole and her husband Scott.
After the dinner, Chief Matt Bressler introduced his assistant chiefs and other officers in the department: 1st. assist. Daryl Snyder, 2nd. assist. Andrew Schreckengost, 3rd. assist. Mike Detsch. Truck officers-[53] Bryce Schreckengost {Capt}, Dave Wheatley {lieutenant} [56] Justin Menteer [Capt.] Jason Swanson [Lt.]. [57] Dan Boyer [Capt.] Grover Bergenstock [Lt.]
Tower -Austin Fox [Capt.] Ben Asel [Lt.] Utility Larry Wise [Capt.]. Safety Officers James Greville, Dave Carlson. Fire police Capt. John Mcalee, Lt. John Mehalko, James Bailey, Larry Wise and Dave Koscierzski. Also nine neighboring fire department chiefs and their wives, plus Kane Mayor Brandi Schimp and husband Lance and Jill Grosch with husband Tom, representing Martin Causers Office.
Sue Snyder then introduced the officers of the KVFD Auxiliary. Sue Snyder-president, Denice Klaiber-vice president, Karen Smith-secretary, Jill Grosch -treasurer and Judy Carlson -Chaplain. Sue then presented the department with a check for $4,000 for equipment. This money was brought in by various fund raisers.
The guest speaker, Deputy Chief Fred Gillespie was then introduced by M.C., Andrew Schreckengost. Deputy Chief Gillespie has been involved in emergency response be it EMT, Emergycare, dispatcher or fireman for 35 years and is currently the 4th platoon commander in Erie.
Gillespie addressed those at the banquet about remembering the importance of their jobs as firefighters.
“The first thing brought up is that you don’t know everything about a fire. You don’t know about how it’s going to act, which way it’s going and what the end result is going to be. Until it’s over and then, and only then, can you step back, look at what’s left and give a sigh of relief
knowing its over and you've done your best,” he said. “Train as much as possible and share your knowledge with others. Experience is by far the best teacher. Represent your department with pride. Remember you are an example of your department anywhere you go, you go as a representative, whether it's an emergency situation, parade, fund raiser or school visits. You are a fireman! You are a professional.
He added to remember that as firefighters, they need to remember the importance of family.
“Remember that your family is also involved. Suppers interrupted, night's sleep disturbed as you are running out of the house at all hours of the day or night to answer a call. And they are there to comfort you when you come home from a fire or accident. They can look at you and know that lives have changed and you need that gesture of comfort and love and as much understanding as they can possibly give,” he said. “And then there are those times when you ask yourself, ‘why am I doing this? Why am I here? What's making me go out on these calls knowing what might happen or what I might see?'” And its answered by just a simple statement: ‘They needed my help and as long as I can give them that help, then I'll answer The Call.'”
Before ending he commented on the pride firefighters must have because of the condition we keep our hall, trucks, the way the hose is tightly wrapped and gear is hung. This is the sign of a department full of pride and well run.
Service awards were then given to 5 years, Grover Bergenstock and Toby Fox, 10 years to John Gadley, Dave Wheatley, 15 years to Pat Nowalk, 20 years to Casey Menteer and Dave Hadley, 30 years to Tim Holt, and 35 years to Dave Carlson.
Fireman of the Year and Guest of Honor was Tom Eastman who is being honored as a 40 year member, truck officer, rescue officer and secretary for many years.