The Bath Volunteer Fire Department gathered on the evening of Saturday, February 8, to celebrate the dedication and hard work of its members at their annual awards dinner. The event recognized firefighters, fire police, junior firefighters, and auxiliary members for their service, training, and response efforts throughout the past year.
Bath Mayor Michael Sweet opened the ceremony by expressing gratitude to the department’s volunteers on behalf of the Village Board of Trustees. He acknowledged their countless hours spent on training, emergency calls, fundraising, and time away from their families. Mayor Sweet also highlighted significant incidents from 2024, including the Clark Specialty fire at the former Babcock Ladder factory, emphasizing the importance of the collaborative efforts of the Bath Volunteer Fire Department, Bath Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and Bath Village Police in protecting the community.
Assistant Chief Dave Dowdle echoed the mayor’s sentiments, announcing that the department responded to a record-breaking 590 calls in 2024, not including drills, work details, fundraising, and additional training.
Recognizing Excellence: Firefly of the Year
The evening included a special recognition for the Firefly of the Year, awarded to Brianica Trubic for her outstanding contributions to the department’s women’s auxiliary. Firefly President Tiffany Fiordo presented the award, commending Trubic for her dedication to department events, meetings, and even last-minute fire scenes, all while balancing family life as a wife and mother of three. Trubic was recently re-elected as vice president of the auxiliary, showcasing her strong leadership and unwavering commitment.
Honoring Top Responders
The department recognized members who went above and beyond in responding to emergency calls throughout the year.
Top Responding Firefighters:
- 1st: Austin Wheatcraft – 310 calls
- 2nd: Harry E. Keen – 253 calls
- 3rd: John Walczak – 245 calls
Top Responding Fire Police:
- 1st: Robin Havens – 353 calls (Top overall responder)
- 2nd: Jason Causer – 132 calls
- 3rd: Brent Hockaday – 122 calls
Top Responding Junior Firefighters:
- 1st: Matthew Sabins – 107 calls
- 2nd: Alexander Snell – 53 calls
- 3rd: Dustin Snell – 13 calls
Top Responding Captains:
- 1st: Dan Fiordo – 279 calls
- 2nd: Kyle Prutsman – 224 calls
- 3rd: Josh Ames – 144 calls
Top Responding Chief Officers:
- 1st: Chief Mike Fiordo – 245 calls
- 2nd: Assistant Chief Dave Dowdle – 208 calls
- 3rd: Assistant Chief Brady Hill – 133 calls
Dedication to Training: Robert Brown Award Recipients
The department also honored members who committed significant time to training.
- 1st: Cassie Hooey – 103 hours
- 2nd: Preston Skillman – 95 hours
- 3rd: Harry J. Keen – 60 hours
Celebrating Milestones: Years of Service Awards
Dedicated members were recognized for their years of service to the department:
- 5 Years: Ross Brewer, Bob Gormley, Sally Morse
- 10 Years: Blake Jackson, Harry J. Keen, Michael McNally
- 15 Years: Bill Lisefski, Josh Ames, Anthony Barros
- 20 Years: Dan Fiordo
- 25 Years: Christopher Farr, Rod Fisher
- 35 Years: David Farr Sr., Jeff Baroody
- 55 Years: Douglas Bigelow
Celebrating Call Milestones
- 1,000 Calls: Josh Ames, Robert Cilino Sr.
- 2,000 Calls: Casey Saltsman
As the night concluded, members reflected on their shared commitment to protecting and serving their community. The Bath Volunteer Fire Department continues to exemplify selflessness, dedication, and teamwork, ensuring the safety of Bath and its residents year after year.
The Firefighter of the Year award is set to be announced in the near future, further honoring the exceptional individuals who make a difference every day.
