At its annual dinner in November, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD) bestowed several awards, including a special Citizens Award, as well as service stripes, service awards, and line awards.

Chief Michael Trick proudly announces the following award recipients and invites the community to join him in congratulating all of them:

Citizens Award to Tara Wheeler

On July 29, 2018, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Tara Wheeler was heading home from her shift in Farmington and came to a road closure on Hollister Drive in Avon. Upon learning there had been a head on collision and no fire apparatus or ambulances had arrived on scene she jumped into action aiding two pediatric patients, caring for their injuries and providing them reassurance. When AVFD crews arrived on scene, EMT Wheeler provided medical personnel with an accurate assessment of the patients, allowing the incident commander to determine the need for additional resources. EMT Wheeler remained on scene to help the AVFD triage patients and direct medical resources as they arrived on scene to transport a total of four patients.

AVFD Service Stripes

4 Years – Michael Frost, Aiden Shuck

8 Years – John Boullie, Ray Crozier, Jay McCaffrey, Leonard Pearce

12 Years – Myra Frost, Michael Galliher, Jon Widing

16 Years – Jason Mickus, Matthew Polesel, Captain Ken Sedlak

20 Years – Carol Baldwin, David Cappello

32 Years – Assistant Chief Bruce Appell, Neil Derick

48 Years – Bud Desmond

AVFD Service Awards

10 Years – Susan Anderson, Captain Adam Corrado, Captain Aaron Gelber, Mark Wilson

15 Years – John Ryan

20 Years – Carol Baldwin, David Cappello

30 Years – Captain David Bourgoin

45 Years – Retired Chief Jamie DiPace

AVFD Line Awards

Fire Fighter of the Year – Frank Lupis, MD

Outstanding Service – Jennifer Albanesi

Training Award – Lieutenant Bobby Sanderson, Luis Lema

Unsung Hero – Maria Brighenti

Explorer of the Year – Victor Ortiz

Most Drills – Captain Aaron Gelber, Dave Costill

Most Calls – Captain David Theriault

Most Outside Training – Luis Lema

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. 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.