Vernon Fire Department Honors Volunteers, Warns of Shrinking Ranks at Annual Awards

VERNON, CT ¸— Vernon firefighters and EMTs were honored this month during a department ceremony that recognized service milestones, annual awards and civilian rescues, while also highlighting a long-term challenge facing volunteer emergency services.

The evening in Vernon celebrated new members, longtime volunteers and residents who stepped in to help people in danger. Fire Chief Stephen Eppler also used the event to describe what he called a crisis in volunteer firefighting, saying the decline in membership is putting pressure on the traditional model relied on by many communities.

The Rev. Alisa Dickhoff of the First Congregational Church of Vernon opened the ceremony with an invocation focused on the department's role in town.

"We gather tonight with gratitude for the members of the Town of Vernon Fire Department, people who step forward when others need help the most," Dickhoff said. "We give thanks for their courage, their training and their steady presence in moments that demand calm, clarity and care. We are grateful for the countless ways they serve on difficult calls and long hours of preparation and the everyday commitment they bring to protecting this community."

Mayor Dan Champagne, who attended with several Town Council members, praised the department’s volunteers.

"Watching the professionalism and the great things you have accomplished over the years, I can't say thank you enough," Champagne said. "I'm thanking you on behalf of everybody in the Town of Vernon."

In his remarks, Eppler highlighted the work of the EMS division, whose EMTs answer more than 5,000 calls a year.

"I"ve had the chance to interact with most of the staff on various calls throughout the year and they’ve been topnotch," Eppler said.

He also spoke about his father's care, saying, "Kind, caring and compassionate doesn’t begin to describe the care my father received, no matter how ornery he was."

Eppler then turned to volunteer recruitment and retention.

"The ongoing exodus of volunteer firefighters is a crisis ... that will necessitate significant change in order to survive and continue serving communities effectively," Eppler said. He said 12,000 people have left the volunteer fire service each year since 2008, and that in Connecticut the number of volunteer firefighters has declined nearly 63 percent since 2017.

"We need to push for state and federal legislation and standards ... that set safe but realistic standards geared toward the volunteer fire service," Eppler said.

Among the top annual honors, Lt. Todd Cascario was named Fire Officer of the Year, Ryan Kiely was named Firefighter of the Year, Amy Bassett was named EMT of the Year and James Corrington was named Junior Firefighter of the Year.

Engineer Edgar Jackson was recognized for 50 years of service.

Assistant Fire Chief Robert Babcock said, "Edgar committed himself to a lifetime of service and our department and community are better because of it."

The ceremony also recognized citizen rescuers, including Jose Calixto, Juan Perez and Vernon Public Works driver Doug Haiko, along with department members who received unit citations and achievement awards.

Laurie Galley, Scott McDonald and Tom McKinney were honored for 45 years of service.

Stan Landry was honored for 40 years of service.

Octavio “Tabby” Muniz was honored for 30 years of service.

Jonathan Bush, Tami Hahn, Steve Augustus and Todd Cascario were honored for 25 years of service.

Alan Arel and Austin Coppinger were honored for 20 years of service.

Pat Dooley, Carol Muniz, Zachary Lopez and Walter Hampton were honored for 15 years of service.

Dan Wasilewski, Andre Lisee, Spencer Padget, Danielle Solito, Randy Magnotta, Heather Graveline and Zachary Laskey were honored for 10 years of service.

Ryan Kiely, Dennis LeClair, Ryan McKinney, Amy Bassett, Kelly Tischbein, Aaron Forsman, Todd Chenelle, Nettie Kenzior, Raheem Vann-Davidson, Tony Granato, Nate Boulette and Stephanie Guerrero were honored for 5 years of service.

Capt. Brian Johnston of Engine Tank - 541 on Prospect Street was recognized for 31 years of service as he retires from the fire department.