The Brookfield Volunteer Fire Company, headquartered at the Pocono Road station, held their annual dinner and award ceremony on February 12, honoring 13 of their 67 members.
The department gave out more awards than usual this year, according to Andrew Ellis, as they had not given special recognition to member at their last two dinners.
The Engineer of the Year Award went to John Plummer (2008), Brook West (2009) and co-2010-honorees Joe Martone, Sr. and Bill Braun. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) of the Year went to Tina Creteau (2008), 2009 co-honorees Brian Gallagher and Jessica Schneider and 2010 winner Eric Sullender. Firefighter of the year went to Michael Gravius (2008), Walter Loesch (2009) and Glenn Schneider (2010).
The department also gave out the Company President’s Distinguished Service Award to Treasurer Bob Nuzzi, Sr., and Secretary Sara Ellis for managing the department’s finances and recognized 40-year members Wayne Gravius and Norman Ellis and 60-year member Robert Schullery.
Company President Manny Cabral was also given a special accolade by being made an honorary chief, an honor that has only been bestowed upon two other members in the department’s history — Douglas Lyall and Kevin Sheehan.
Brookfield’s Pocono Headquarters responded to 565 fire calls and 1,346 ambulance calls in 2010 (total 1,901), including “at least a dozen for cardiac arrest and five births,” according to Ellis, for which special recognition was given out as well. “People are walking around today because of them,” Ellis said.
The fire company held their dinner at Candlewood Inn along with family and members of nearby departments, such as Stony Hill Company of Bethel and the New Milford Fire Department.
