Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association announces awards
The Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association announced the following awards at its annual conference in Dover.
John P. Fox received the DVFA Firemen of the Year Award for his 54 years of active service to the Mill Creek Fire Co. He is a past deputy fire chief and past president of Mill Creek. He is also past president of the New Castle County Volunteer Firefighters Association, Fire Chiefs Association, Fire Police Association and Delaware State Fire Chiefs Association. Fox was also active in St. John the Beloved School and Church assisting with their annual carnivals and athletic association.
Assistant Chief Jack McPartland of the Christiana Fire Co. was awarded the Delaware State Fire Chiefs Association Heroic Firefighter of the Year for the rescue of an unconscious female from a working house fire in the Wellington Woods subdivision.
Fire Policeman Jasper Lake of the Delaware City Fire Co. received the Delaware State Fire Policeman of the Year Award for his many years of service. Sussex County Fire Policeman of the Year was Tim Coverdale from the Ellendale Fire Co. New Castle County Fire Policeman of the Year was Les McCourt of the Mill Creek Fire Co. Kent County Fire Policeman of the Year was Marvin Ellis from Bowers Fire Co.
The Philip S. Young EMS Lifetime Achievement Award for 2017 went to Jill Brittingham, who was recognized for continuous devotion in leadership as president of the Sussex County Ambulance Association for many years, as well as her service as an EMT for the Dagsboro Fire Co.
EMS Instructor of the Year Award recipient was Kristen Gajdos for her outstanding efforts as an EMS instructor for Polytech High School in Woodside.
New Castle County Paramedic Lt. Michael Nichols was the recipient of the Stephanie Callaway Excellence in Paramedicine Award for 2017. He was recognized as a paramedic for more than 20 years, as well as a SWAT medic. His training and leadership roles were utilized when he was involved in an actual hostage rescue situation.
