Charlottesville, Va. – November 21, 2009 The Charlottesville Fire Department held its 4th annual award ceremony on Saturday November 21, 2009. This event is an opportunity for the fire department to bring all of the department’s members and their families together to recognize accomplishments, years of service, certifications, and actions above and beyond the call of duty. The following individuals were recognized at the ceremony:
Captains: Pelliccia, Phillips, and Rogers
For their efforts in support of the Charlottesville Police Department SWAT Team
Emily, Joe, and Mike have spent and continue to spend many hours each and every month training with and in support of the Charlottesville Police Departments SWAT Team. Their dedication, commitment, and personal sacrifice can be witnessed by their level of support, participation, and exposure with the Team at a moments notice. Their preparedness is a shadow effort to most and when the team is called out, they are there on the front line with the entry team trained and prepared to rescue and provide care for their SWAT Team members. Their mission in support of the Charlottesville Police Departments SWAT TEAM clearly translates to safer SWAT Team operations, higher motivation in safe mission success, and contributes to team confidence in a safe mission completion so that all SWAT TEAM members return safe!
Captain Rogers
For his efforts in support of the Charlottesville Fire Departments Regional HM Team
Mike has spent and continues to spend countless hours to insure that the team has all the necessary equipment needed in support of HM incidents, and that said equipment is maintained in a ready state. Mike constantly works to increase the individual shift level of expertise with team members. He coordinates and delivers monthly training to all 20 team members to insure that they will accomplish their mission safely and confidently. Mike mentors and is working hard to develop and increase the roles and responsibilities of the Level 2 Technicians. Because of Mikes personal commitment, education, and vision; our community and Fire Department is much better prepared to respond to, recognize safely, and handle a variety of HM incidents with safe outcomes for all department personnel and the customers we serve within the region.
Captain Dave Werner & FF’s John Burruss and Doug Clay
For their efforts in support of the Charlottesville Fire Departments New Rescue Group program
Dave, John, and Doug have spent over 250 hrs each this past
year in planning, practicing, training, and instructing the 2009 High Angle
training program. They have made significant sacrifices to personal schedules
and family in order to provide technical instruction each month in support of
the three shifts Rescue Group members assigned to Engine 7 and the Truck
Company. Their guidance, knowledge, skill, and mentoring have greatly improved
our departments preparedness to respond to and assist with partner agencies with
the safe evacuation of patients from dangerous and very limited access
locations. Their efforts have translated into the Rescue group’s capabilities
to exercise rapid and safe high angle removals and rescues from major
construction sites within the region. Their motivation and drive has ignited a
very high desire by the three shifts Rescue Group members to learn all that they
can, practice as much as is possible, and has created a “Can Do” attitude for
very dangerous operations.
Unit Citation
May be awarded to a group of members who working together demonstrate an act of intelligence performed in the line of duty which result in valuable firefighting/medical service worthy of recognition.
Captain Tim Cersley & FF’s Victor Dunning and Mark Ladd
In June of 2009 Engine 2 was toned for an alarm activation during a sever thunder storm. The crew arrived on the scene with nothing showing and no alarm sounding, and there was no key holder en-route to the scene. The crew conducted a walk around and found no visible fire or smoke. On their fourth walk around the crew then could smell smoke. The crew investigated the area in question and found smoke coming from the eve of the home. Captain Cersley upgraded the incident to a working fire and requested a second alarm. The crew forced entry in the structure and proceeded to locate and extinguish the fire with assistance from other companies. With out the team effort of Engine 2’s crew the home could have been completely destroyed by fire.
Captain Kevin Pfeilsticker & FF’s Celia Thompson and James Shifflett
The crew from Engine 5 in the afternoon of August 31st 2009 responded to a cardiac arrest. When the Engine Company arrived on the scene the found a elderly male patient sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle in cardiac arrest. The crew removed the patient from the vehicle and initiated CPR as well as secured a air way for the patient. The ambulance arrived with personal from CARS and ACFR. The crews worked together to revive the patient, and the patient was transported to UVa hospital and he was discharged from the hospital two weeks later.
Esprit De Corps
Will be awarded to a fire department member for consistent exemplary actions or accomplishments that uphold, reflect or promote exceptionally high standards of service to the community and who on a daily basis demonstrates the high ideals of the Charlottesville Fire Department. This award will be determined by a vote of the department.
Firefighter Lance Blakey
For his dedication to being the shift inspector from B shift. Lace dedicates free time at work to full fill the duties of the job. He works with the public very well and will assist them with their needs.
Firefighter of the Year
Will be awarded to the firefighter who the Shifts believe performed his/her duties in an outstanding manner. This award will be determined by a nomination by the shift and then the winner decided upon by the awards committee based on the reasons for nomination.
Firefighter Nick Barrell
For his actions on all calls that he has interaction with the public, Nick always demonstrates care and compassion for all those that he comes in contact with weather on emergency calls or other wise out in the public. Especially for his actions on a EMS incident on Blue Ridge Rd. Firefighter Barrell preformed under very stressful circumstances to save a patient who had fallen out of a two story window.
Captain of the Year
Will be awarded to the Captain who the Shifts believe performed his/her duties in an outstanding manner. This award will be determined by a nomination by the shift and then the winner decided upon by the awards committee based on the reasons for nomination.
Captain Tim Cersley
Was nominated for Captain of the year for his selflishness, fairness and consistency. As well as his involvement with the departments honor guard.
Chief Officer of the Year
Will be awarded to the Chief Officer who the Shifts believe performed his/her duties in an outstanding manner. This award will be determined by a nomination by the shift and then the winner decided upon by the awards committee based on the reasons for nomination.
Battalion Chief W.A. Hogsten
Battalion Chief Hogsten, Has been selected Chief Officer of the year for his dedication and leadership for the fire prevention division of the Charlottesville Fire Department. BC Hogsten has re-organized the fire prevention division and set high standards for fire protection and fire prevention throughout the City of Charlottesville. He has established training for all personnel within the department and has expanded the shift fire inspector program. His readiness to assist the public and department at any time shows his dedication to the safety and security for our community.
Fire Chief’s Award 2009
The Chief of the Department will issue this award to the member(s) that he/she believes has made significant contributions to the Department and the Chief.
EMS Administrator Linda Johnson