AVFD Promotes One, Welcomes Two

Avon Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD) Chief Michael Trick proudly announces the appointment of Gina Kline from Firefighter to the position of Lieutenant. She was sworn in at the Department’s monthly meeting on November 20, 2017.

“In her nearly 14 years with the Department, Lieutenant Kline has served in many roles, contributing her valuable expertise, professional skills, and unwavering dedication since the very beginning,” says Avon Volunteer Fire Department Chief Michael Trick. “It is an honor to promote her to Lieutenant.”

Lieutenant Gina Kline joined the AVFD in January 2004. She became a regular member in July of that year. In addition to being a firefighter, she has served as an advisor to the Explorer program and has been a member of the AVFD Board of Directors.

As a junior in college, Lt. Kline joined the Ithaca (New York) Fire Department as a Bunker, a volunteer firefighter who lives full-time at the fire station. She had friends who were Bunkers and for her it started as a way to help offset the cost of college since there were no “room and board” fees to live at the fire house. She lived at the fire house free of charge and in return was on duty with career firefighters two or three nights a week, attending classes during the day and responding to calls at night. Lt. Kline recalls it was a great experience and is where she met her husband, AVFD Assistant Chief Tom Kline, who was also a Bunker at Ithaca. Though Lt. Kline never imagined she would continue firefighting after college, when she and her husband moved to Avon, he convinced her to join the AVFD. With her husband traveling a lot for work, volunteering for the AVFD kept Lt. Kline busy and helped her meet people. How, she can’t imagine not being a volunteer firefighter.

“It’s very rewarding to give back to the community in this way,” says Lt. Kline. “Especially in a town as small as Avon where we personally know many of the residents who call us for help.”

Also sworn in at the November meeting were new members Francesco Lupis, MD, and William Matousek. In their time as probationary members, they have already made valuable contributions to the AVFD, says Chief Trick.

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.