2010 Fire Department Awards Banquet - 03/06/2010 The Ellington Volunteer Fire Department held its Annual Banquet on March 6th at the Ellington Ridge Country Club, in Ellington, Connecticut. Approximately 100 fire department members and guests attended, along with Town and State officials. Frederick H. Bird was given the Ellington Volunteer Fire Department 2009 Firefighter of the Year Award. This award is given annually to an Ellington Volunteer Fire Department member who has gone above and beyond the scope of his/her normal fire department duties in the past year. He received this award due to his work with the organization, training and photographic efforts. The Department acknowledged over 385 years of service to the community. Annually years of service awards are given to members as they reach their 5-year anniversaries. The following members were recognized; Valerie Adams 5 years, Karl Neubecker 5 years, Donald Moore 5 years, Susan Trisler 5 years, William Trisler 5 years, Bryan Blotniski 20 years, Elizabeth Feldman 20 years, Daniel Parisi 20 years, Michael Varney 25 years, Frederica Weeks 25 years, Donald Davis 30 years, Robert Morganson 35 years, Jack Turner 40 Years, and Leonard Aronson 45 years. Each member was recognized with an award and service pin. Michael Varney and Frederica Weeks each received for their 25 years a replica leather fire bucket. Training highlights from 2009 were also noted by Deputy Chief of Training, Gary Feldman. Many certifications attained and training programs attended by firefighters were recognized. Firefighter Jae-P Levitan and Deputy Chief Gary Feldman received the 2009 training awards for attending the most hours of training. Vincent Gambacorta received a certificate in recognition for his service as a Captain from May 2008 to May of 2009. Robert Smith received a certificate in recognition for his service as a Lieutenant from May 2006 to May of 2009. Jack Turner was awarded an Individual Citation for his years of work representing the Ellington Volunteer Fire Department and the interests of our mutual aid partners through his work with the Tolland County Mutual Aid Fire Service. Jack currently is their Treasurer and has served many offices and committees over the past 32 years including President of the Association.