 Pierre Fire Department holds Annual Meeting (Pierre, SD) – The Pierre, South Dakota Fire Department
held its annual meeting at the department headquarters in downtown Pierre on
December 4, 2002. The meeting began with an excellent meal of ham, baked
potatoes and all the trimmings. The members of Ladder Company #1 prepared the
meal, set the tables, served the meal and did the necessary clean up. Following the meal, the annual awards were presented with
department members, spouses and guests in attendance. Chief Russ Hendrix thanked Ladder 1 for the meal, the
Auxiliary for desserts and for decorating the station. He introduced Mayor
Dennis Eisnach, City Commissioner Larry Weiss, County Commissioner Larry Venner,
the Marso family, the Jorgensen family, Mary Tveit of the American Red Cross,
Fort Pierre Fire Department Officers, Retired Members and firefighter spouses
and families.
Honorary Memberships were presented to two people who have been very generous with their support to the department. An award was given to Larry Weiss, Police and Fire Commissioner of the City of Pierre for his continuing support of the department during his years on the commission. An award was also given to Tony Mangan, KCCR Radio, for his unflagging support of the department.
The Years of Service awards were presented by Treasurer,
Tami Darnall. These awards are presented quarterly to members completing a year
of service during that quarter. Audra Evans, Auxiliary President, introduced the officers of the Auxiliary. The program concluded with a drawing for two items from the Auxiliary. A short time later Chief Russ Hendrix called the business
meeting to order. The Secretary’s and Treasurer’s report were presented. Old business included a report from the coat committee, an
update on the Ethel Brandt gift, an update on the Fire Camera and an update from
the Bylaw and SOG committee. New business included a report from Commissioner Weiss on
the use of stations for Active Members and Lifetime Member use of the stations.
The Deferred Compensation revision, Truck Specification Committee, the upcoming
Governor’s Inauguration and several upcoming classes were reviewed. The final item of business on the agenda was election of officers for 2003. After the ballots were tallied, the outcome was as follows:
1st Assistant Chief Patrick Snyder, Engine 3 2nd Assistant Chief Russ Hendrix, Engine 2 Secretary Kevin Fravel, Engine 3 Treasurer Tami Darnall, Engine 3 Department
Officers for 2003 will be (l-r): Kevin Fravel, Secretary; Patrick Snyder, First
Assistant Chief; Tam Gatje, Chief; Russ Hendrix, Second Assistant Chief; Tami
Darnall, Treasurer. The meeting was adjourned.
|
Marso
family members Fred Marso, Lois Schmidt and Vivian Barge and last year’s
winner Russ Hendrix, presented the Marso Award, given in recognition of Don
Marso who lost his life in an attempt to control a wildfire in the Pierre area.
This award recognizes the lifetime contributions of the member to the
department. This award went to Patrick Snyder, a member of Engine Company
#3. This may be given only once to any individual. The Marso award winner is
selected from the department at large.
The
Firefighter of the Year award is given in recognition of the best overall effort
of members who have been on the department more than two years. This recognizes
members who have given extraordinary effort in their firefighting, training and
attendance at department activities. The companies annually nominate one person
for this award from their members. A selection committee of former winners
selects one individual for the overall department winner. This year, Engine
Company #3 member Jason Roggow was selected. Chuck Nafus, winner of the
award in 2000, presented the award along with the Jorgensen Family, who sponsor
the award. 
Company
nominees included: Matt Sommerfeld, Ladder 1; Chris Henrichsen,
Engine 4; Jason Roggow, Engine 3; Ian Paul, Engine 2; and Shelley
Roemmich, Engine 1. 
The
Rookie of the Year award is also given in recognition of the best overall effort
of member who have been on the department more than six months but less than two
years. The same criterion as the Firefighter of the Year award is used for this
award. This year Engine #3 member Ron Schmidt was selected for this
honor. Jason Evans, winner of the award in 2000, presented the award along with
the Jorgensen Family, who sponsor the award. 
Company
nominees included: Shane Lehrkamp, Ladder 1; Ron Schmidt, Engine
3; Tyler Fisher, Engine 2; Jason Reitz, Engine 1; and Chris
Voller, Engine 4 (Not Pictured).
The
Auxiliary Member of the Year award was presented to Janice Hardy whose
husband, Vern, is a member of Engine Company 2. She has shown support for the
department by working to present member programs at the State Fire School held
in Pierre this year. In addition, she was on the serving committee that provides
food and drinks to firefighters working on long incidents.
