Ellington Volunteer Fire Department Members Honored

On March 2, the Ellington Volunteer Fire Department held its annual banquet at Ellington Ridge Country Club. Over 100 fire department members and guests attended, along with town, state and federal officials.

John W. Turner was given the Ellington Volunteer Fire Department 2012 Firefighter of the Year Award. This award is given annually to an Ellington Volunteer Fire Department member who has gone above and beyond the scope of his/her normal fire department duties in the past year.  

Turner received this award due to his many years of service as an officer, continued department committee work, and his explorer post leadership activity.

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Senator Richard Blumenthal recognized Turner with a certificate from the United States Senate. In addition, a Certificate of Recognition from the Connecticut State Legislature was presented by Representative Christopher Davis. These two awards were given in honor of Turner's over 41 years of service as an officer within the department.

Ellington residents Cody Griffin and Cindy Popovic were recognized with a Certificate of Recognition for their significant support provided at the scene of a residential structure fire on Abbott Road in April 2012.

The department also acknowledged over 275 years of service to the community. Annually, years of service awards are given to members as they reach their five-year anniversaries. The following members were recognized: Arthur Caldwell - 55 years, Daniel Connors - 50 years, Jerry Connors - 40 years, Leonard Descheneaux, Sr. - 35 years, Allan Lawrence - 35 years, Steven Breault - 20 years, Jack Rich II - 20 years, Mitchell Griswold - 10 years, Earl Palmer-Lavoie - 5 years, and Jae-P Levitan - 5 years.

Training highlights from 2012 were also noted by Deputy Chief of Training, Karl Neubecker. Many certifications attained and training programs attended by firefighters were recognized. Firefighter Blaize Levitan and Chief Michael Varney received the 2012 training awards for attending the most hours of training.

Members and sfficers Vincent Gambacorta, Turner, Gary Feldman, Sr., Brendan Burke, Robert Smith, Neubecker, Peter Hany, Jr., and Jonathan Allen received certificates in recognition for their service as an officer at a previous rank in the organization.

For more information regarding The Ellington Volunteer Fire Department or these programs visit www.ellingtonfire.org.