Archive: Around Town

364 days a year the Lansing Fire Department, all volunteers, stands ready to protect Lansing and help protect our surrounding communities.  The department responded to 933 alarms in 2014, 485 of them fire calls and 488 EMS Calls.  Volunteers participated in 2,312.5 hours of training.  On the 365th day the surrounding departments cover the town while Lansing's emergency responders celebrate their achievements at an annual banquet.  Saturday evening they filled the Lakewatch Inn to swear in the officers for 2015 and recognize top achievers in 2014.


"I want to congratulate the officers and the members for their efforts in behalf of the community," said Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response Director Lee Shurtleff.  "And also for the work that you will do in the year ahead."


Lansing's 2014 top responder, Rebecca Drake, who responded to 370 calls, with Jamie SpencerThe top responder of the year was Rebecca Drake, who responded to a remarkable 370 emergencies in 2014.  Darren Sill was the second top responder with 347 calls.  Third overall top responder was Casey Bordoni, who responded to 300 calls.  Jason Berga, Trevor Brill, Gary Brooker, Mariano Garcia, Nelson Golden,  Kevin Howell, Terry Jackson, Ryan Marzolf, Steve Oplinger, Mike Robinson, Alex Shehu, Tom Sill, Kim Sweeney responded to over 100 calls.

Chief's Awards 'for going the distance and then a little further' went to Jason Berga, Casey Bardoni, Gary Brooker, Rebecca Drake, Mariano Garcia, Nelson Golden, Terry Jackson, Ryan Marzolf, Mike Robinson, Darren Sill, Tom Sill, and Kim Sweeney.

Sierra Boles, Corey Sill, Ryan Marzolf and Kevin Howell were recognized for completing their first year of service to the department.  Tom Smith completed five years of service.  Deborah Bell, Francis Bell, Jason Berga and Jennifer Carlton were cited for ten years of service.  Dan Ferguson and Darrell Rhodes were honored for their 15 years of service.  Larry Creighton was awarded for 20 years of service, and Todd Mix for 25 years.

Rookie of the Year Ryan Marzolf with Chief Scott Purcell (left) and Deputy Chief Brad GeorgeThe department training award went Terry Jackson.  Overall training award and Rookie of the Year went to Ryan Marzolf.  Steve Oplinger received the Joe Ditty Joseph award for contributing a 34 years of dedication to serving the Lansing Community.  Oplinger currently serves on the Lansing Board of Fire Commissioners.  The service and dedication for year went to Gary Brooker and Rebecca Drake.

Tom Sill was named Firefighter of the Year.  Purcell noted that this was the second time Sill has received this award.

"Firefighter of the year is the most prestigious award given," Purcell said. "it has been a few years since LFD has given this award.  In order to receive it you must go above and beyond what is expected of a firefighter.  This person does exactly that.  He has done just about every job you would expect a firefighter to do. He is receiving this award not necessarily for what he does at emergency scenes, but for his knowledge and ability to pass that knowledge along to the new and junior members.  Without his leadership and mentoring skills I don't think we would have the participation in truck checks that we've had in the past couple of years."

Darren Sill was the second top responder with 347 callsShurtleff swore in the 2015 officers, who are elected by department members each year.  They are Fire Chief Scott Purcell, Deputy Chief Brad George, 1st Assistant Chief Dennis Griffin, 2nd Assistant Chief Mike Drake, 3rd Assistant Chief Jamie Spencer, Captain Tom Sill, 1st Lieutenant Gary Brooker, 2nd Lieutenant Jason Berga, 3rd Lieutenant Mike Robinson, and 4th Lieutenant Haman Anand.

Purcell gave credit to Town Code Officer Lynn Day and Village Code Officer Marty Moseley for sharing their review of building site plans with the fire department and for supporting the Knox Box program that allows firefighters faster access to major buildings during emergencies.  He also acknowledged Finger Lakes Wrecker Service and Daddy & Sons for transporting and donating cars used for firefighter and EMS training.

"I'd like to recognize the Lansing Highway Department for all the little things and bigger things they do for the fire department year after year," Purcell said before the awards were given out.  "Whether it be major parking lot repairs or little things like plowing the road to the training pad so we can use that in the winter.  The Highway Superintendent does everything he can to make sure we have what we need."

He also acknowledged neighboring departments who share mutual aid, responding to Lansing emergencies when needed.  Lansing responds in kind.

Chief's Award recipients (left to right) Back row: Rebecca Drake, Nelson Golden, Terry Jackson, Ryan Marzolf, Tom Sill, Jason Berga, Casey Bordoni Front row: Kim Sweeney, Mariano Garcia, Darrin Sill, Gary Brooker
"In 2014 we responded to 30 mutual aid calls outside our district, and received help in our district on over 25 occasions," Purcell said. "24 of them came from Cayuga Heights.  We like to thank everybody that called upon us and all the people that helped us in our time of need."

Representatives from neighboring fire departments and local officials included Shurtleff and Assistant Director Jessica Verfuss, Tom Sill from the Lansing Highway Department, Cayuga Heights Fire Chief George Tamborelle, Locke Fire Department Assistant Chief Jason Hall, Varna Fire Chief Vince Monticello, T&R Rescue Solutions owner Kevin Romer, New York State Fire Instructor Tom Basher, Brad Marzolf from Bangs Ambulance, Michael and Peggy Weber of Daddy & Sons, McLean Fire Chief Kenny Carr, Ithaca Airport Fire Chief Josh Nalley.  Lansing Fire Commissioners Chairman Robert Wagner, Vice Chairman Larry Creighton and Treasurer George Gesslein, and past Chief Rick Drake also attended.

Purcell wrapped up the ceremonies by wishing luck to Kevin Howell and Casey Bardoni, who joined the armed services this week.

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