Avon's Bravest Celebrate Its Members' Dedication At Awards Ceremony

Avon Volunteer Fire Department

AVON, CT — Those entrusted locally with protecting life and property celebrated their accomplishments and milestones last month.

At its recent annual dinner, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department honored several members for their length of service and presented some special awards.

AVFD Chief Bruce Appell announces the following recognitions:

AVFD Community Partnership Award
The Hometown Foundation, Inc.

Company Station Award
Co. 1: Jacob Jones
Co. 3: Alexa Schuck
Co. 4: Marcin Rupar & Richard Schiffres (tie)
Fire Police: Sidney Shafran
Headquarters Administration: Kristen Shaw

Chief's Appreciation Award
Assistant Chief Joseph Speich

Most Training Hours Award FY24-25 Interior Firefighter
Phillip Kholond - 337
Benjamin Shapiro - 312

Most Training Hours Award FY24-25 Support Firefighter
Donald Mark Wilson - 242
Deputy Chief David Theriault - 149

Most Training Hours Award FY24-25 Fire Police
Capt. Peter Tedone - 104
Steven Gottlieb - 71

Most Calls Award FY24-25 Interior Firefighter
Victoria Haskins - 203 and 29 percent
Lt. Michael Galliher - 191 and 27 percent

Most Calls Award FY24-25 Support Firefighter
Nicholas Mathein - 405 and 58 percent
Peter Delap - 379 and 54 percent

Most Calls Award FY24-25 Fire Police
Sidney Shafran - 293 and 42 percent
Joseph Person - 224 and 32 percent

Unsung Hero
Jay McCaffrey

Explorer of the Year Award
Imaya Prabhu

Members' Choice Award
Benjamin Shapiro

Unit Citation Award: Recruitment and Retention Committee Members
Christina Adajian
Jennifer Rosado
Benjamin Shapiro
Laura Ward

Company Award - Co. 4
Capt. Adriane Wright
Lt. Ryan Wilson
Christina Adajian
Jeffrey Bernetich
Rylee Bernetich
Jeffrey Borges
Michael Hornish
Garrett Long
Ariel Mazara
Jason Mickus
Patrick Olmstead
Marcin Rupar
Richard Schiffres
Mattew Seymour
Benjamin Shapiro
Thomas Waldeck

Outstanding Service Award
Marcin Rupar

Length of Service Awards (awarded every five years)
30 Years
Kristen Shaw

25 Years
Carol Baldwin
Steve Gottlieb

20 Years
Alicia Hornish
Jack McGuire
Lynn Sedlak

15 Years
Adam Corrado
Raymond Crozier
Jay McCaffrey

10 Years
Thomas Waldeck

5 Years
Melinda St. Onge
Joseph Farzinzad

Service Stripes (one stripe awarded for every four years of service)
52 Years
Jamie DiPace

36 Years
Dave Bourgoin

28 Years
Joe Speich

24 Years
Tom Post
Diane Theriault

20 Years
Jack McGuire
Lynn Sedlak

12 Years
Phyllis Wilson

8 Years
James DeVanney

4 Years
Peter Tedone
Ryan Wilson
Matthew Seymour
Alexa Shuck
Abigail Fernald

Incorporated in 1943, the Avon Volunteer Fire Department serves nearly 20,000 people living in the 23-square-mile area that makes up the Town of Avon. Anyone interested in learning more about the AVFD should call 677-2644, visit www.AvonVFD.org, connect on Facebook and Instagram at AvonVFD, or stop by the Co. 1 firehouse located at 25 Darling Drive any Monday evening after 7 p.m.