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Fairfield Fire & EMS President Gary Shorb with
Charlie Deardorff and Bud Creighton
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(3/15) On the evening of March 9, residents of the Fairfield community at large, as well as members of the Fairfield Volunteer Fire and EMS Company, came together to honor those who have put their lives at risk for their community.
While many volunteer fire companies focus their award banquets on those most active, Fairfield focuses their banquet on recognizing those who have dedicated a significant portion of their lives to the Company.
Such was the case again this year when FVFC recognized Charles "Charlie" Deardorff and Robert "Bud" Creighton for over half a century of selfless volunteering.
Charlie joined the Company at the age of 35 in 1972. "Charlie has been our person for words of wisdom on many financial and policy rules and regulations." President Gary Shorb said. "For years, Charlie actively ran fire calls, was a driver and pump operator, has served on the Board of Directors, and recently completed cataloging the historical minutes and financial records of the Company all the way back to May of 1922."
Like Charlie, Bud joined Company in 1972, while his work schedule prevented him from actively fighting fires he more them made up for it by being a regular volunteer at almost all of the Company’s fundraising events. "Bud is always willing to help with whatever is asked of him," said Shorb. "He’s always the first one in the building every morning to ensure that the coffee is ready for all that follows."
In addition to celebrating Deardoff and Creighton, the Company inducted Rose Jacobs, James Phillips and Jacquelyn Weikert into its precious Veteran’s Program, which recognizes those that have served the Company for 30 years.
Gary Shorb was this year’s recipient of the Company’s Fire Fighter of the Year Award. In presenting the award, Jacobs said, "almost everyone in the Company deserves to get this award, but I’m only allowed to give out one. Gary has been one of our top Fire Responders for the past few years. He’s one of our minutemen. Within a minute, he is always ready to go."
Chad Fogle was this year’s recipient of the Chief’s Award. In presenting the award, Jacobs noted Chad "was a repeat top responder, who freely provides insight and ideas from his experience as a paid fireman. Chad does lots of "behind the scenes" work on the Company’s behalf, and this award acknowledges his service and commitment to the Company."
Fairfield Mayor Robert Stanley and Carroll Valley Mayor Ronald Harris praised the service of the members and the community saying that without them, residents would not have the quality of life in which they do. Harris became emotional when he recounted how, over the past 6 weeks, the Company’s EMS staff had to come to his rescue three times. "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I wish there were more of you, we need to see more young people in the Company."
State Representative Dan Moul picked up on Harris’s pleas for more young firefighters by sharing a bill he is proposing later this year with the audience. Said bill will allow high school students to receive graduation credits for attending firefighting courses. "The State gives credits for attending plumbing and carpentry classes, why not firefighting classes?"
