Submitted by firefighter Frank Reilly
The Stirling Volunteer Fire Company held its annual firefighter appreciation and awards ceremony last Friday, March 17.
The most prestigious award is the distinguished Firefighter of the Year award that was presented to fire company Captain John Whitmore by Fire Chief Kevin Phillips. The chief cited Whitmore’s numerous actions that were far above and beyond the call of duty, for his extraordinary dedication to firefighting, and for promoting fire safety in Long Hill Township. As a new captain with many years of fire service in Stirling and Morristown before that, he responded to more than 80% of the over 260 fire alarms in Long Hill Township during 2016 and at many of those alarms he was the Incident Commander.
Before presenting Whitmore with the award, Chief Phillips said, “I am so proud of all the Stirling firefighters and I wish I could give each and every one of you this award for your extraordinary dedication. You certainly are Long Hill Township’s heroes every day and every night when an emergency occurs.”
Fire Company President Albert Pepe presented the President’s Award for outstanding service to Neil Vaish for his dedication to administrative duties, responses to fire alarms, and being elected the vice president of the Fire Co. for 2017.
Years of Service Awards were presented for an astonishing 40 years of service each to Albert Pepe, Anthony Pepe, Kevin Phillips, and Anthony Rito. Together these four firefighters have a combined 160 years of firefighting in the township. A 20 years of service award was presented to Ronni Stein, Stirling’s first female firefighter and for 5 years to Nick Giglio, Tom Rozmerski, Randy Wojeck, and Danny Burke.
Members of the Stirling Volunteer Fire Co. have all been unpaid volunteers since the fire company was formed over 100 years ago. Membership is open to residents age 16 or older, both female and male. Training and firefighting gear is provided at no cost to new and seasoned firefighters. Details on membership and fire company events may be seen at their website: www.stirlingfd.com. Stirling’s primary response area is Gillette, Homestead Park, Meyersville, and Stirling. They also assist Millington and surrounding towns in their time of need.
The volunteer fire companies in Long Hill Township and the surrounding towns rely heavily on donations from the public to support their hard and often dangerous work. Stirling’s President Pepe urges everyone to be generous in donating to those fire companies. All have a website that has information on where to send a donation. Stirling’s is www.StirlingFD.com.
(above l-r) Chief Phillips congratulates recipients Danny Burke, Nick Giglio, Tom Rozmerski, and Randy Wojeck.
Photo by firefighter Frank Reilly.
(above l-r) Albert Pepe (fire company president), Anthony Pepe, Fire Chief Kevin Phillips, and Anthony Rito.
Photo by firefighter Frank Reilly.
(above, left, l-r) Ronni Stein accepts her award from Chief Phillips.
Photo by firefighter Frank Reilly.
(above, l-r) Neil Vaish receives his recognition award from Chief Phillips.
Photo by firefighter Frank Reilly.
(above, right, l-r) Stirling fire captain John Whitmore receives his well deserved recognition award from Chief Phillips.
Photo by firefighter Frank Reilly.
