The Inter-Mountain photo by Joan Ashley From left are Dennis Knicely, VFW award; William Copley, Fireman of the Year; Nila Bland, Most Dedicated; Jane Simon holding auxiliary award for Outstanding Services; Bob Grimm, Outstanding Service nd Greg Dyer, Outstanding Leadership at the South Fork Volunteer Fire Department Awards Dinner

The Inter-Mountain photo by Joan Ashley
From left are Dennis Knicely, VFW award; William Copley, Fireman of the Year; Nila Bland, Most Dedicated; Jane Simon holding auxiliary award for Outstanding Services; Bob Grimm, Outstanding Service nd Greg Dyer, Outstanding Leadership at the South Fork Volunteer Fire Department Awards Dinner

RANDYWINE — The South Fork Volunteer Fire Department and Auxiliary held its annual awards dinner last Saturday at the firehouse where William Copely was honored as Fireman of the Year.

In 2018 the fire department provided 695 manhours to answer 77 calls that responded to 21 vehicle accidents, four grass and brush fires, one flue/structure fire, 12 good intent, eight service calls, one motor vehicle fire and fatality, 13 mutual aids, and 16 EMS assists.

Fire Chief Roy Bowers told the more than 100 fire fighters and their families and friends, who had enjoyed a chicken/roast pork dinner, that he attributes the lack of fire structure calls to the fire company installing more than 550 smoke detectors in the last year.

After an invocation by Rhonda Nash, fire company president Jeff Bowers introduced guest speakers Doug Mongold and Chad Lindsay.

Mongold, chief of Moorefield Volunteer Fire Company — 46 and vice chair of the West Virginia Fire Commission, explained the make up of the commission which meets every two months around the state.

The commission/fire marshall’s office is responsible for fire investigations, electrical licenses, electrical codes, building codes, fire codes, fireworks, blasting licenses and emergency vehicle permits, Mongold said.

The fire marshalls office has a public education office which researches ways to provide information about fire safety, Mongold added.

“There is a Fire Department Service Division in the Fire Marshall’s office that is responsible for all fire department evaluations,” Mongold said. That division also will provide assistance for other needed items, such as helping with organizing a fireman funeral or providing a needed air pack or fire hose, he added.

Chad Lindsay, executive secretary of the State Fire Association and president of the Mineral County Firefighters Association, said the group includes 305 of the 418 fire companies in the state as members. The association “stands as the combined voice of the state fire departments and works with the state fire commission and legislators for the betterment of the service,” Lindsay said.

The association also provides a scholarship for members and their immediate family for anyone majoring in the fire or healthcare field, Lindsay said.

Following comments from State Senator Bill Hamilton and Delegate Issac Sponaugle, who said the dinner was one of the best he had ever had, Veterans of Foreign Wars 9966 president George Armstrong presented Dennis Knicely with the VFW award honoring rescue workers; Kenneth Puffenbarger, a Public Service Recognition award; and Wayne Huffman, an award for Fire Service Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.

Nila Bland presented the fire department with a check for $10,000 raised by the auxiliary this year.

Department Chief Roy Bowers presented William Copely with the Best Fireman of the Year award. Other awards went to: the auxiliary for its Outstanding Service, Nila Bland accepted for the group; Nila Bland, Most Dedicated; Greg Dyer, Outstanding Leadership; and Bob Grimm for Outstanding Service to the Community.

New officers are Nila Bland, administrator; Roy Bowers, chief of department; Seth Bowers, assistant chief of department; Nathan Parker, Captain and Lt. of Brandywine; Billy Losh, Capt. and Lt. of Sugar Grove; Greg Dyer, Capt. and Lt. of Fort Seybert; Albert Evick, training officer; Charles Hoover and John Mullens, assistant training officer.

Administrators are Jeffrey Bowers, president; Greg Dyer, vice president; Dennis Knicely, secretary; and Nila Bland treasurer.

In the Auxiliary Nila Bland is president; Patricia Bodkin, vice president; Sharon Gillespie, secretary and Lucy Bodkin, treasurer.

After everyone received a door prize, Maria Bowers Miller gave the benediction.