Firefighters Banquet Held, Awards Recognize Achievements (Posted March 19, 2012)
Fuquay-Varina firefighters recognized members of their department at the 39th annual Fireman’s Banquet on Saturday, March 17. Fuquay-Varina’s three fire stations answered 3,319 calls in 2011 and saved property valued at more than $120 million, but much of the evening's activities involved recognizing the brave actions of individual firefighters who have gone above the call of duty in 2011.
The top awards went to the following firefighters: Justin Grimes, Employee of the Year voted on by his peers for dedication to the department; Jason Stappenbeck, T.C O’Connell Volunteer Fireman of the Year selected by the previous winners of the award for putting forth an effort of the highest degree; and Polycarp Omollo received the J.W. Mangum Recruit of the Year Award chosen by the Fire Chiefs for demonstrating excellence in completing the recruit training program. Firefighter Omollo is pictured center with Jim Jones, Assistant Chief and Tony Mauldin, Fire Chief.
Several other awards were given to recognize special service. Andy McLamb received the Marie Mauldin Silent Servant Award for volunteerism. Austin Stephenson received Explorer of the Year which is a program that introduces young adults ages 14-18 to the fire service. The following firefighters received awards for 10 years of service: Brandon Auman, Dwayne Blalock, Sammy Brewer, Joe Carter, Chuck Horton and Garland Johnston. The following received the Green Cross Award to extrication: Jerry Crocker, Chris Duncan, Shannon Everette, Michael Frickman, George Gerraty, Will Gregory, Brian Heath, Chris Parker, Jacob Randall, Brett Senter, Josh Sorrell, Tyson Taylor and Shawn Tripp. Both Shannon Everette and Jacob Randall received the Life Saving Award.
A Special Thank You for Public Safety Personnel (Posted 3-15-2012)
The third week in March, the Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club brought baked goods to both the Fire and Police Departments to show their appreciation for the Town’s public safety personnel. The recognition isn’t a part of a national recognition week, but simply the club’s way of saying thank you to both the Fuquay-Varina Police and Fire Departments for the work they do to help the community. Ms. Fran Price, a member of the Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club, is pictured here with several fire fighters at Station #1. With more than 80 years of service, the F-V Woman’s Club is the oldest civic organization in town.
