By Taylor Boyd
Local fire and rescue squad volunteers were honored during the annual Fire And Rescue Banquet on Saturday, April 25.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Andrew Overby, of the Dan River District, expressed gratitude on behalf of the board.
“We really appreciate it. The dedication that you have for your profession, and all the hard work that you provide the citizens of the county. You are all true heroes of our county. You’ve all donated your personal time away from your family and put your own lives in danger every single day. We appreciate that,” he said.
Public safety is the most vital service a county provides its residents, Overby said, noting a large part of that service is provided by volunteers “just like yourself that dedicated your lives to public service with no expectations of pay in return. “We greatly appreciate everything, and if there’s anything we can do as the board, please let me know. Thank you for being here.”
At the banquet, Cody Collins was recognized as Firefighter of the Year, and Tommy Hudson was named Fire Department Officer of the Year.
Debbie Foley was recognized as EMS Agency Officer of the Year, Chelsea Spangler was honored as EMS Pre-Hospital Provider of the Year, and John West was named First Responder of the Year.
Fire and rescue volunteers also received pins in recognition of their years of service:
Three-year pins: Charles Busick, Steve Allen, Lori Cassell, Thomas Howell, Adam Wood, Danny Miller, Les Eckman, Tyler Cesaro, Jerry Felts, Wade Bowman, Justin Armes, Nate Harris, Ethan Morrison, Chris Owen, Douglas Shuff Jr., Jesse Hughes, Wayne Martin, Alicia Slate, and Heidi Applegate.
Five-year pins: John K., Austin Errichetti, Austin Vernon, Colby Vernon, RIcky Vernon, Timothy Wray, John Krafinski, Hunter Odum, Mic Applegate, and Justin Amos.
10-year pins: Marcus Engle, Hunter Odum, Jessica Engle, Zach Hudson, Austin Bryant, Garland West, and Diana Foley.
15-year pins: Allen Frazier, Matt Holland, Brian Pilegard, Zach Rorrer, Douglas Fain, Mike Hall, Geneva Goad, Dorothy Stouts, Howard Joray, and Mike Fulk.
20-year pins: Howard Alderman, Alan Hubbard, Randall Collins, Tim Blessman, Gary Hunt, Jerry Williams, Jimmy Foley, Karen Harris, and Mary Ellen Carter.
25-year pins: Shelia Marshall and Steve Allen.
30-year pins: Mary Craig and Joey Errichetti.
35-year pins: Duane Bartley, Kenneth Greer, Jane Layman, and Roger Carter.
40-year pins: Benton McAlexander and Mike Hall.
45-year pins: Lynette Bryant, Sylvia Plaster, Donna Thomas, Jean Thomas, Darren Layman, Chris Corbett, and Mike Hudson.
50-year pins: Jerry Adams and Charles Turner.
Andrew Overby, chairman of the Patrick County Board of Supervisors, expressed the county’s gratitude to fire and rescue volunteers at the annual banquet Saturday. More than 50 people attended the fire and rescue volunteer banquet.
