On Saturday, March 29th, members of the department hosted their annual appreciation supper and awards banquet for department members; spouses; employers of members; city and county officials and other invited guests. It is an annual event held in order to say "thanks" to those folks for everything they have done for us for the past year. The department also gives out various awards and recognition. This year, the following awards were given out:
Firefighter of the year for 2007: Mark Menning
Friends of the fire department: for services provided over and above: Jeff Koster of Premier Pyrotechnics for donating the fireworks display for fire school and to Johnny Smith on behalf of the South Dakota Beef Industry Council for requesting steaks from the council for our fire school.
Honorary Membership: to past members of the department that had retired since the last steakfeed that the department wanted to recognize for their service: Steven Cronin- 6 years; Curt Rees- 13 years and Ron Ramsey- 12 years.
Past Chiefs Award: Joe Meligan for being Chief in 2007.
Fire Chiefs Award: to Joseph Boxley for time and dedication at fires; trainings and other activities with the department.
Lifetime Members: For former (retired) members with a minimum of 20 years on the department: Butch Davis for 31 years and Gordon Paul for 28 years of service.
It was also pointed out to the invited guests that the Fort Pierre Fire Department hosted the 2007 South Dakota State Fire School as well as won the 3-man State Championship in evolution competition at fire school in 2007.
2008 Fire Command Officers Chosen
At the December 2007 annual meeting, the department conducted the annual elections as well. The following will be the command officers for 2008: The Chief for 2008 will be Eric Paul, who held the 1st Captains' position in 2007. The Assistant Chief will continue to be Rick Cronin, who held that position in 2007. Mark Menning will be the 1st Captain, which he held the position of 2nd Captain in 2007. New to being officers are Dave LaRoche at 2nd Captain and Cody Lengkeek at 3rd Captain. All Command officers are 1 year terms beginning on January 1st, 2008.
Firefighter of the Year-2006
The Fort Pierre Fire Department wishes to single out and recognize our firefighter of the year for 2006. The department has chosen Chief Joe Meligan as our Firefighter of the Year for his outstanding service to the department and the community. This award designation is chosen by the department membership annually. Joe joined the department in August of 1998. Joe received this award at our annual department steakfeed employer appreciation and awards night held on March 24th. We Thank You, Joe, for everything you do!!
Fire Chiefs Award - 2006
On March 24th the the annual steakfeed employer appreciation and awards night, the Fort Pierre Fire Department recognized another member of the department for their service to the department. The first annual Fire Chiefs Award, which is voted upon by the officers of the department, was given to a member of the department who continually participates in trainings; work around the fire hall; fire and emergency calls; and any other duty that takes place and does so without question and without complaint. The 2006 Fire Chief Award recipient is a well deserving member of our crew and joined in 1999, thus having just completed his 8th year on the department. At this time, the Fort Pierre Fire Department would like to recognize and thank Justin Jones for his time and dedication to the department and the community!!
Friend of the Fire Department - 2006
The Fort Pierre Fire Department now wishes to recognize a member of the community that has been singled out by the department membership for their support to our department in more ways than one. This award was started several years ago by the department because we saw the need to recognize various people that have gone above and beyond in their support. The "Friend of the Fire Department" award for 2006 goes out to Barry Heiss of Fort Pierre for all he has done. Thank you, Barry!!
