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Betsy Calhoun Named Garrison Firefighter of the Year
GVAC and NHFD install 2007 Officers
by Maria Theodore Leiter
 | | Betsy Calhoun accepting her Firefighter of the Year Award from Chief Tudor |
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Before becoming a volunteer firefighter, Betsy Calhoun was an Emergency Medical Technician, volunteering with the Garrison Volunteer Ambulance Corp. Someone proposed that she should consider driving for the fire department. The idea intrigued her as a way to connect with her family history. Her late father, Alexander Saunders, had spent years as a firefighter. She joined the Garrison Volunteer Fire Department and has served for the past eight years as a driver.
"I was so pleased, I couldn't believe it," she said in an interview on Monday regarding the department's naming her Firefighter of the Year at their annual Officer Installation dinner on December 19. In addition to regular work detail, she drives the brush and rescue trucks and is currently training to drive the larger pump truck. "One day, I saw Wendy [Heinz] directing traffic in her full turn-out gear and thought, 'That is something I would like to do'."
Calhoun said that she loved the fact that her colleagues treat her as an equal. "There is a complete lack of sexism or prejudice on the basis of age or sex," she said. "We all take turns," she added, "All of our neighbors take turns."
Chief Rodney Tudor presented her with the award.
The annual length of service awards were presented as well. Deputy Chief F.J. Spinelli was awarded for 25 years of service. This qualifies him for Life Member Status. Firefighter D. Rotenburg was awarded for 20 years of service. Deputy Chiefs J. Surace and M. Lane were qualified for 15 years of service. Chief Rodney Tudor received the 10 Years of Service award and C. Harrington and M. Redner were awarded 5 years of service.
The Garrison Volunteer Ambulance Corps held their annual Officer Installation Elections on November 8th. New GVAC Officers for 2007 are as follows: President Venetia Heinz; Vice President Lisa Kay, Captain Jerry Moore, Secretary Patti Smith, Treasurer Dan Mcavoy; Trustees David Cashman and Bill Smith; Communication Officer Justin Herminghouse; Training Officers Mary and Lou Arceo; First Lieutenant Derek Tudor, Jr; Second Lieutenant Justin Herminghouse; and Third Lieutenant Lou Arceo.
The results for the North Highlands Fire Department annual Officer Elections, which were held on January 4, 2007, are as follows: Chief Charles Nolen, First Assistant Chief Joe Hyatt; Second Assistant Chief Patrick Scherer; Captain Matt Riner; First Lieutenant Sal Pidala; Second Lieutenant Barbara Vivenzio; Deputy Chief John Noschese; Safety Officer Thomas Knapp; Company Engineer Mike Lisikatos; President Thomas Knapp; Treasurer Kristin VanTassel; Recording Secretary Maria Vivenzio; Financial Secretary Tony Sexton; Corresponding Secretary Sylvia Duffy; Trustees George Nicholls, John Noschese, Armando Vivenzio and Matt Riner.
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