A fire service award winner, along with several firefighters were recognized for over 50 years of dedicated service.

The Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Company presented the awards during its recent holiday party held at the fire company’s social hall.

Firefighter Chris Jahelka was honored with the Chief Warren Fury Memorial Firefighter of the Year Award. Jahelka serves as assistant chief/treasurer.

Fire Chief Bill George said the department started the award in 1986 and is given “to someone whose gone above and beyond.”

“Chris works on planning drills, does the book log, set up a whole training program for Firefighter 1 guys, recently received his Firefighter 2 certification, and is now taking courses to become a certified instructor,” George said. “He just does a lot.”

While the award hasn’t been given out each year since, George said it was decided to bring it back this year.

“We hadn’t given the award for a couple of years, I thought it was time to revive it,” he said. “Hopefully they’ll continue it in the future.”

In addition, members Chris Kegel (58 years), Rory Koons (56 years), Larry Arner (52 years) Larry Hahn (50 years), George (50 years), and Mark Semmel (just shy of 50 years), were also recognized.

Their plaques stated “In Honor Of Your Hard Work and Dedication To The Fire Service And To The Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Company. We Recognize the Talent, Dedication, And Knowledge You Have Shared With Our Members, And The Sacrifices You Have Made To Serve Our Community And Our Organization. We Thank You And Look Forward To Your Future Contributions.”

Township honors firefighters

At Monday’s Lower Towamensing Township board of supervisors meeting, supervisors presented proclamations and certificates of appreciation to the firefighters with 50 or more years of service to the Aquashicola Volunteer Fire Company.

Kegel, Arner, Hahn, and George were recognized with the honor.

George, who was the only member of the fire department on hand to accept the honors, thanked the board for the recognition on behalf of himself and the other firefighters.

He then asked if the board could recognize Koons with the distinction as well. The board agreed it would at a future date.