The Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department held its 2015-2016 annual awards banquet Friday at the Red Fox restaurant in Saranac Lake.

The banquet is held each year to recognize members and their families for their hard work. Honor Roll and Exempt members are invited to join in the fun as well. The Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad co-hosts the event. During remarks Chief Keough recognized the strong relationship that has developed between the two separate agencies. Fire and EMS officially separated in November of 2010.

This year was a special occasion as the SLVFD marks its 125th anniversary. The SLVFD will host an Anniversary event on August 13th. There will be a parade through town and a day of fun at the Saranac Lake Civic Center that will include Apparatus Displays, demonstrations, a chicken barbecue and live entertainment. There will be more information on the event here at www.saranaclakefire.com and also on our Facebook page where we have set up a special event page. This can be found by searching facebook for "SLVFD 125th Anniversary Celebration".

2015-2016 Awards:

Top 5 Fire Responders: Awarded to the 5 firefighters who have responded to the most calls between May 1st 2015 and April 31st 2016.

1. Ken McLaughlin
2. Casey Taylor
3. James D'Ambro
4. Brendan Keough
5. Don Jones

The Chiefs Award: The "Chiefs Award" is awarded annually by the chief of the department to the person he or she considers to have made the most outstanding contribution to the department during the course of the preceding year. Instituted in 1989 by Chief Don Duso, "Chiefs Award" recipients are honored at our annual banquet with a plaque. A perpetual plaque is also maintained at the fire house listing all previous recipients of the award.

This year chief Keough awarded the Chiefs award to Doug Peck and Don Jones. Chief Keough said that he usually consults with some elder members of the department to solicit opinion on who should get the award. This year amongst those he asked the answer was unanimous and instantaneous that these two should be recognized. Doug and Don are relatively newer members who have been involved in everything and have added energy to the department, he specifically recognized the work that they have done refreshing the firehouse via many maintenance projects including painting the firehouse. They have spent many extra hours going above and beyond making the place look great. This is in addition to all the work they do as firefighters.

Ruth King Valor & Community Service Award: This is a special award given to the member of the community who has gone above and beyond in there support of the SLVFD. The award was established in May of 2014 during a very special event. Ruth King was rescued from the Saint Regis Hotel Fire in 1964 when she was only 4 years old by past Chief Preston Burl. Ruth King never knew who her rescuer was until 2013 when she was able to speak to him via phone and say thank you just days before Preston died following a long battle with cancer. Ruth now a successful blues performer in Florida travelled to Saranac Lake and performed a tribute concert in Preston's honor. The first annual Ruth King Valor & Community Service Award was given during that concert and will be given each year moving forward.

This year the 3rd annual recipient of the award was Mike Madden of Maddens Garage. Mike has been supporting the fire department over many years by providing and preparing and removing vehicles we use for accident victim extrication training. Mike does this all at no cost to the department. We see Mike out on some of the same motor vehicle accidents that we respond to. Mike is just one of those guys who quietly serves his community and our fire department quietly with no fanfare. It is our honor to recognize our friend for his service.

Director and Fire Police Captain Frank Brier was recognized for completing 50 years of active service with the SLVFD. Frank was honored earlier as the Grand Marshall of the SLVFD's annual Santa Claus parade and received recognition from the Fireman's Association of the State of New York, the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, and the New York State Fire Police Association. At the banquet Frank was award a plaque from the SLVFD. The Plaque was spectacular, it was very large and is pictured below.

The banquet ended with a slide show presentation created for our 125th Anniversary Celebration. It can be viewed by clicking the link below.