The Greater Brighton Fire District held an annual service awards banquet to honor and thank the valuable members of its organization. Many members went above and beyond in 2008 and were recognized with awards of various different levels.

    Capt. Chris Woolley received the Distinguished Service Award.  This award is reserved for district personnel whose actions have distinguished them from standard performance expected of the position.

    Two company citations – awarded to district personnel who demonstrated meritorious service collectively, as a company during an emergency call – were awarded.  These awards went to Capt. Phil Beehler, Lt. John Blunt, firefighter Mike Medina, engineer Chris Hove, engineer David DiLorenzo, firefighter Chris Elliott, and firefighter Travis Hahl; Lt. Chris Edwards, engineer Scott Kinne, and firefighter Colin Brunt.

    Members were not only awarded for performance or taking extraordinary steps to help people, but they were also recognized for their years of service with the fire district. Nine members were given recognition for having five years of service. Those members were engineer Bill Bennett, firefighter Willy Beumer, firefighter Jesse Eversman, Lt. Gerard Lutz, firefighter Brian Oplinger, firefighter Amy Reinhardt, Capt. Mike Schuppe, firefighter Rich Towndrow and firefighter Kevin Carson.  Four members were recognized for 10 years of service with the district. Those members were Lt. Randy Cleveland, Capt. Dean Morris, Lt. Brian Nekvasil and Lt. Bill Porterfield.

    Career Firefighter of the Year was awarded to Ken Maine. Recruit of the Year was awarded to firefighter Michael Medina, and Volunteer Firefighter of the Year was awarded to firefighter Jeff Jacobucci.

    Letters of recognition were given to three firefighters to acknowledge achievement, service or any other act that is deemed worthy of recognition by the district. The letters of recognition were awarded to Lt. John Blunt, Lt. Todd Godek and Capt. Phill Beehler.

    Letters of appreciation were given to several members of the district for an act that the district has deemed worthy of thankful recognition. Those members were Doug Tweedy, engineer Chris Hove, firefighter Kevin Carson, Lt. Chris Forbes, firefighter Chris Kennison.  Letters were also given to several members as well as some family members for helping with the Help for Homes Project in 2008. Those were awarded to firefighter Chris Woodruff, firefighter Nick DiAnnie, firefighter Ken Maine, engineer Gary Dawson, Tyler Condo, Rita Saunders, Nick Bodane, Mary Bodane, engineer Mike Nekvasil, Lt. Todd Godek, firefighter Amy Reinhardt, Sarah Oletski, Cindy Lippman, Lt. Brian Nekvasil, firefighter Jeremy Osgood, firefighters Sean McCulloch and Tyler Nekvasil.