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.

Chiefs Award Recipients

2012 Jim Stinson by Chief Brendan Keough Click for Story
2011 Kent Robinson by Chief Brendan Keough Click for Story
2010 The Board of the Newly Formed Rescue Corporation by Chief Chuck Dobson Click for Story
2009 Drivers & Officers & Members by Chief Don Duso
2008 Mary Brown & Vernon James & Dave Bickford by Chief Don Duso
2007 Vernon James & Dave Bickford by Chief Don Duso
2006 Casey Taylor by Acting Chief Andy McGill
2005 Frank Brier by Chief Robert Girard
2004 All Members by Chief Don Duso
2003 Ed Woodard by Chief Don Duso
2002 Harrison Kent by Chief Ed Woodard
2001 Rhonda Marrone by Chief Ed Woodard
2000 John Derby by Chief Ed Woodard
1999 Casey Taylor by Chief Ed Woodard
1998 Father Chris Carrera by Chief Andy McGill
1997 Paid Drivers by Chief Andy McGill
1996 Edward Hoyt by Chief Harrison Kent
1995 Dive Team by Chief Robert Girard
1994 Jim Stinson By Chief Robert Girard
1993 Dave Martelle by Chief Ed Woodard
1992 Ricky Burch By Chief Ed Woodard
1991 Richard Burman Sr. By Chief Don Duso
1990 Carl Smith By Chief Don Duso
1989 First Award Given To All Members By Chief Don Duso

Top 5 Awards

Top 5 awards are awarded to the members who have responded to the most calls. These awards are broken down into two categories, one for Fire Calls, and one for Rescue Calls.

Fireman Of The Year

The Northern New York Volunteer Firemen's Association recognizes a "Fireman of the Year".  Fireman of the year candidates are nominated from the ranks of hundreds of volunteer firefighters from throughout northern NY. The recipient of this award is normally cited for bravery or a life saving action in the line of duty.  Runner up candidates in this competion are sometimes cited for meritorious service when the nomination substantiates bravery or a life saving action. The Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department is very proud of its members who have been nominated, and selected for fireman of the year and meritrious service awards. 

Firemen Of The Year

1982 Kent Robinson *
1982 Kevin Tuthill *
1989 Ed Hoyt **
2012 John Derby ***
2012 John Duchaine ***
2012 Aaron Donaldson***
2012 Brendan Keough***

* Award shared by these members for saving the lives of 7 people at the 1981 Berkley Hotel fire. This was the first time the award was given to a team and not a single individual.

** Ed Hoyt is currently a member of the SLVFD he was a member of the Paul Smiths Gabriels Volunteer Fire Department at the time of his award. Ed was cited for life saving action at a structure fire.

*** Award shared by these 4 members for rescuing a man from within a burning apartment on the second floor of the Prescott house on Franklin Avenue.  Click Here For Full Story

Meritorious Service

Ron Muncil ****
Robert Nadon *****
Mike Dupree *****
Dave Martelle *****
Ken McLaughlin *****
Wade Sullivan *****

**** Ron Muncil was cited for life saving action at a structure fire.

***** Award shared by these 5 members for life saving actions when 2 pulseless victims were retrieved from a submerged vehicle and then successfully resuscitated.