AVFD Presents Annual Awards

At its annual dinner in November, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD) bestowed several awards, including three honorary memberships, service stripes and awards, and line awards. Chief Michael Trick proudly announces the following award recipients:

Appreciation Award

ORAFOL, accepted by Mark Arsenault

Honorary Members

Tom Eungso Ma, former owner of Fairway Dry Cleaners

Mark Zacchio, former Avon Town Council member

Service Stripes

4 Years – Dylan Bernetich

8 Years – Lieutenant Matt Caron and Captain Ramona Mansfield

12 Years – Jack McGuire and Lynn Sedlak

16 Years – Tom Post and Diane Theriault

20 Years – Assistant Chief Joe Speich

44 Years – Retired Chief James DiPace

Service Awards

10 Years – Diane Delap, Teddi McGuire, and Mark Wilson

15 Years – Matthew Polesel, Jason Mickus, and Ken Sedlak

20 Years – Assistant Chief Joe Speich

25 Years – Jen Reeser

35 Years – Neil Derick

Line Awards

Fire Fighter of the Year – Mark Wilson

Outstanding Service – Dennis Bianchi

Training Award – Luis Lema

Unsung Hero – Casey McDermott

Explorer of the Year – Luis Vasconcellos

Most Drills – Captain Ramona Mansfield and Lieutenant Matt Caron

Most Calls – Captain David Theriault

About the AVFD

Incorporated in 1943, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department proudly protects more than 18,000 people living in the 22.6 square mile area that makes up the Town of Avon. The Department’s mission is to provide fire suppression and prevention, life safety and rescue support, as well as other community support to the citizens of the Town of Avon. In addition, the Department provides mutual aid support to those surrounding communities that, in time of need, may request such assistance.

Staffed entirely by volunteers, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department prides itself on the selflessness and dedication of its members – firefighters, fire police, administrative members, Explorers, active veterans, senior veterans, and associate members, all of whom play a vital role in the safety of Avon. The Department operates six companies and 15 pieces of apparatus, including a brush truck, ladder truck, tanker, rescue vehicle, boat, and pumpers. Four stations are located throughout Town – Company 1 on Darling Drive, Company 2 on Secret Lake Road, Company 3 on West Avon Road, and Company 4 on Huckleberry Hill Road. Anyone interested in learning more about the AVFD should call the Avon Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD) at 677-2644, visit www.avonvfd.org, connect on Facebook at AvonVFD, or stop by the Company 1 firehouse located at 25 Darling Drive any Monday evening after 7:00.