Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company members gathered last Saturday evening at their banquet, which is normally an annual event.

But nothing about the past two years has been normal. They could not have a banquet in 2021, because the COVID-19 guidelines limited the number of people who could gather inside.

“The last two years have been rough on us all, and we can all use a night off,” said Chad Snyder, president of the fire company, during opening remarks. “From the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you to every member and their family.”

Snyder asked everyone for a moment of silence to honor members who have died: Arlene Kibler, Kenny Hawk, Dick and Blanche Strausberger, and Mitch Kreger.

Ladies’ Auxiliary president Patsy Ann George spoke of the challenges they faced with event planning and fundraising.

Monthly breakfasts inside the firehall were canceled and replaced by takeout breakfasts. There were three Cruise In, Dine Outside nights during summer 2020, where crowds came out to see classic cars and Jeeps, listen to bands and purchase dinner and dessert from food trucks.

“We all worked very well together. That is how we overcame the difficulties,” she said.

The firehall is once again bustling with a breakfast crowd on the third Sunday of the month. There is no breakfast in April because of Easter; and none in July and August due to summer vacations. Father’s Day is the last one until September.

Other fundraisers include a meat raffle and membership drive, in which residents and local businesses can mail in donations. More information about these is on their Facebook page.

Fire Chief Billy Tippett also thanked everyone for their service, especially during the past three months, which he called “extremely difficult.”

He was referring to a fatal house fire and fatal car crashes that his firefighters and other emergency crews responded to recently.

“You, our families, are the real heroes,” Tippett said.

When each firefighter responds to a call, he or she is leaving a family meal, holiday festivity, sporting event, dance class, movie night, or other such time together, to answer that call and help someone else’s family, he said.

“We love the support and understanding you provide,” he said.

Saturday’s buffet meal was catered by Aces Gourmet.

Usually after the remarks, there is a presentation of awards and a slideshow of photos from recent incidents. However, this year, Snyder said he wanted the banquet to focus on thanking the family members for all their support.

As a token of his appreciation, each guest received a scratch-off lottery ticket at their place setting. He hopes someone wins big.

Tippett’s goals for the year include “continue increasing the company’s training level and recruiting more members to our ranks.”

They are looking to purchase a used tanker truck for the company’s Jonas station. They also want to continue their plan to order a new rescue engine for the Jonas station by Dec. 11, 2023, he said.

In 2021, there were 237 emergency responses, which was up 34 from 2020. They also spent 1,858 hours training and 1,885 hours fundraising.

“We spent an average of 43 minutes on scene at emergencies,” Tippett said.

Tippett announced his 2022 line officers: Derrick Burger, deputy chief; Matt Schessler, assistant chief; Jim Schaefer, captain; Chad Snyder, captain; Patrick Soucy, lieutenant; Mike Sabo, lieutenant; Aaron Keller, lieutenant; Aaron Keller, lieutenant; Joel Kingsbury, engineer; and John Engels, fire police captain.

Snyder announced the 2022 executive officers: Jim Schaefer, vice president; Angela Gogno, secretary; Cindy Haydt, treasurer; and directors Rich Beck, Bryan Beck, Rick Sawyer, Wendy Cronshey, Aaron Keller, John Engels and Joel Kingsbury.

George announced the Ladies’ Auxiliary officers: Helen Alpaugh, vice president; Gail Anders, treasurer; Shirley Haydt, secretary; Vicky Serfass, corresponding secretary; and Dottie Jeker, event coordinator.