Archive: Around Town

Lansing Fire Commissioner and District Secretary Alvin Parker received the Joe 'Ditty" Joseph award at Lansing Central Station Tuesday.  Because Parker was unable to attend last week's annual Fire Department Dinner and awards ceremony last week, Chief Scott Purcell presented Parker with the award at Tuesday's Lansing Fire Commission meeting.

A Ludlowville native, Parker joined Ludlowville Company # 2 before the current department was organized. He has served as a chief, and for the past 20 years has served as Fire Commissioner and is District Secretary.

"In my tenure as Chief he has overseen many construction projects such as additions to Central Station, the new training tower facility, and the new Station 5, not to mention many smaller projects," Purcell said at last week's dinner. "A lot of work by the Board of Commissioners is behind-the-scenes stuff that goes unnoticed by many, but as Chief it is nice to know that if there's a problem with any facility I can call Alvin and it's taken care of, or at least we can come up with a plan together."

Joseph was a long time firefighter in the Lansing Department, which raises money in his name each year at an annual golf tournament to fund a scholarship to a Lansing High School Graduate.  The award is given for for years of dedication and service.

Parker began serving his fourth term as Fire Commissioner in January.

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