PVFD 2020 AWARDS

OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP & DEDICATION

This month ERL would like to recognize some outstanding young men and women with the Pinch Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD). At the annual General Membership Meeting, the PVFD voted on Board of Directors vacancies and presented awards for 2020 Top Runners, Length of Service, Probation to Full Member, and a Special Deputy Sheriff and Paramedics Recognition.

The new PVFD Board of Directors consists of 13 positions, 12 of which are elected and the last position is held by the Fire Chief. These positions are for a 2-year term. New positions elected for this year were Vice President Jon Coleman, Secretary Todd Crowder, and four new members-at-large including Jeff Kessler, Scott Lucas, Corey Carr, and Garrin Hodge. Other members of the Board include Chief John Thaxton, President Chris Avis, Treasurer Charlie Cunningham, and Members-at- Large Steve Teel, Jason Anderson, Phil Shaffer and Justin Teel.

A special thanks to Charlie Cunningham of the Pinch Volunteer Fire Department for sharing photos and information for this article.

TOP RUNNERS

At the General Membership Meeting each year, PVFD recognizes their top 10 runners. This year they had a tie for 10th place so 11 members received awards. Also, even though the Chief traditionally abstains from being one of the top 10 runners, the Department recognized Chief John Thaxton who was the Top Runner for 2020. Top Runners were Chris Avis, Charlie Cunningham, Austin McCormick, Scott Lucas, Todd Crowder, Corey Carr, Jon Coleman, Jason Anderson, Cole Weese, Aaron Lilly, and Dave Bentley (not pictured)

Jon Coleman

Scott Lucas

Corey Carr

Jason Anderson

Austin McCormick

Charlie Cunningham

Chris Avis

Aaron Lilly

Cole Weese

Todd Crowder

LENGTH OF SERVICE

Several members were recognized for Length of Service Awards. Chief Thaxton commented, “Some of our members have done this mentally- and physicallychallenging job for longer than many people work a regular job. This exemplifies the type of dedication exemplified by members of the PVFD.” Awards were presented to Matt McCallister, 5 years; Adam Neal, 15 years, and Doug Douglas, 35 years.

Adam Neel

Doug Douglas

Matt McCallister

NEW PARAMEDIC RECOGNITION

Also, PVFD would like to congratulate Firefighter Joel Parsons for recently passing his National Registry Paramedic Exam. He is the 12th paramedic on the PVFD roster. He also serves as a Firefighter/ EMT for Charleston Fire Department and will be transitioning to a Firefighter/Paramedic since he passed his paramedic exam. His wife, Ashley, is also a firefighter for the PVFD.

Joel and Ashley Parsons

DEPUTY SHERIFF AND PARAMEDIC RECOGNITION

The PVFD recognized and presented special recognition awards to Kanawha County Deputy Sheriff Bryan Crosier and two Kanawha County Paramedics, Lauren Sparks and Nick Blankenship. Fire Chief John Thaxton said, “This award is for their hard work that made for a much improved outcome and for the great working relationship PVFD has with both departments to provide exceptional service to the citizens of Kanawha County.” Chief Thaxton explained, “On January 3, 2021, PVFD was alerted of a working residential structure fire and prior to our arrival on the scene, Paramedics Lauren Sparks and Nick Blankenship along with Kanawha County Deputy Bryan Crosier arrived first and went above and beyond their normal specified duties. These outstanding individuals successfully rescued several pets and were able to keep the kitchen fire in check with a water hose until the fire units arrived. This minimized the damage to the rest of the structure as well.”

Deputy Sheriff Bryan Crosier

Adam Neel Doug Douglas Matt McCallister

PROBATION TO FULL MEMBERS AWARDS

PVFD presented three members with their firefighter helmet shield which signifies these members have completed their probationary period and are now full members of the department: Logan Steenburgh, Michael Hammack, and Hunter Douglas. Doug Douglas, who has been with the PVFD for 35 years, presented the helmet shield to his son, Hunter Douglas.

Hunter Douglas

Logan Steenburgh

Michael Hammock

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