Archive: Around Town

Once a year the Lansing Fire Department celebrates its members with a banquet to install the officers for the year, to honor members who have served above and beyond the call of duty, and to enjoy one evening together without having to respond to emergencies.  Saturday Lansing's emergency responders filled the banquet room at the Ramada Inn for this year's dinner/dance and installation banquet.

While the evening is mainly about celebrating the department and its volunteers, Lansing emergency responders took a moment to remember fallen emergency responders and military service people who have given their lives in the line of duty, and department members who have passed away.

"I'd like everyone to join in a moment of silence in memory of members that have passed away, all the men and women of the armed services that have lost their lives in the line of duty, and the 87 United States firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2011," said Chief Scott Purcell as department President Robert Wagner lit a lamp in their memory.


Most of all the evening was a celebration of the members and their accomplishments in 2011.  The department is made entirely of volunteer firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians.  In 2011 Lansing volunteers responded to 556 EMS Calls and 448 Fire calls for a total of 1004 calls in 2011.  Each year they elect their own officers including chiefs, a captain and lieutenants.

Each year neighboring fire departments cover emergency calls for Lansing on the evening of the banquet, and the Lansing department returns the favor when they hold their own banquets.  Representatives from neighboring fire departments, related services, and the Town of Lansing were present to honor the Lansing department.

Guests included Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response Lee Shurtleff, Lansing Highway Superintendent Jack French, Lansing Town Supervisor Kathy Miller, Cayuga Heights Fire Department Chief George Tamborelle, Groton Fire Department Chief Lester Coit, King Ferry Fire Department's Jeff Lattman, Ithaca Fire Department Chief Tom Parsons,  Varna Fire Department's Wendy Hoose and Ashley Young, Freeville Fire Department Chief Andy Down, T&R Rescue Solutions' Kevin Romer, New York State Police Trooper Mike Burling, Tompkins County Undersheriff Derek Osbourne, Dryden Fire Department Assistant Chief Rick Young, New York State Fire Instructor Tom Basher, New York State Fire Instructor Tom Warner and his wife Christie, a 911 dispatcher.


This year Chief Scott Purcell, Deputy Chief Brad George, 1st Assistant Chief Dennis Griffin, 2nd Assistant Chief Mike Drake, 3rd Assistant Chief Jim Myers, Captain Scott Walters, Lieutenant Darin Buck, Lieutenant Jason Berga, Lieutenant Tom Smith, Lieutenant Dan Pine were sworn in.

The top Responders for the year were Larry Creighton, Dan Pine, and Kim Sweeney.  The Award for Department Training went to Scott Flynn.  The Overall Training Award went to Jim Jackson Jr..


Matt Day, Mike Day, Cindie Day, Kayleen Miller, Sean Rooker, Kristin Rooker, Scott Walters, and Traci Foster were recognized for five years of service.  Mike Drake, Kim Sweeney were recognized for 5 years of service, Frank Towner for 15 years of service, and Dennis Griffin, Wayne Thomas for 35 years of service to the department.

Joe “Ditty “ Joseph award for years of dedication and service went to Todd Mix.  EMS Responder of the Year went to Mariano Garcia.  The Dedication and Service for the Year award went to Scott Flynn

After dinner there was music and dancing to the music of Splash.

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