IVFD Holds Annual Awards Banquet Saturday

IRONWOOD, MI - Sunday, February 1, 2009 - The Ironwood Volunteer Fire Department (IVFD) held it's annual awards banquet Saturday, January 31st at Tacconelli's Down Towne in Ironwood. Among the guests addressing the firefighters were retired IPSD Director Gary Kusz, current director Bob Erspamer and Gogebic Emergency Management/911 honcho Jim Loeper who is also an IVFD Honorary member. Other honored guests were IVFD Life Member and former chief Keith Aho and his wife Sherri.

Awards were presented to the following members:

• Assistant Chief Mike Wiemeri - 25 year membership pin
• Captain Bob Tervonen - Fire Horse Award (Most emergency responses during the past year.)
• Chief's Training Award - Captain/Training Officer Jamie Peite (Excellence in Training)
• Most Improved Firefighter - Firefighter Jordan Reller
• Captain Barb Allen - As a gesture of the respect with which she is held by her brother firefighters, special recognition was paid to Captain Allen as the first female operational officer in the 121 year history of the Ironwood Volunteer Fire Department.

Three new firefighters were also introduced. Probationary firefighters (Probies) Rick Allen and Danielle Sandmon who are currently attending Fire Fighter 1 class and Firefighter Curtis Van Dusen who has recently moved to the area and formerly served with the Breitung Township Fire Department in the Kingsford, Michigan area.

A pleasant time was had by all.