Above and Beyond: Youngstown Fire Co. honors members, installs officers

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

The Youngstown Volunteer Fire Co. held its 112^th Installation Dinner and Awards gathering on Saturday, Feb. 4, at the Youngstown firehall. The event featured a number of swearing-in ceremonies for the various officers representing YVFC’s 65 members, as well as recognition paid to some special individuals who serve the company.

•Timothy Fogarty was named 2022 Fireman of the Year.

•Timothy Wilkesmore, who serves YVFC in many capacities, including as treasurer and chaplain and steward, was recognized 2022 for his “45 Years of Distinguished Service” to the company.

•Service Awards for terms of service were also presented to Scott Muller, 40 years (2021); Anthony Collard and Michelle Roberston, 35 years; Raleigh Reynolds, 30 years; Jeff Tower, 20 years and life membership; and Virginia O’Neill, 15 years.

•Exempt Organization Service Awards – James Wilkesmore, 25 years; James Pollow, 20 years; William Kowalski and Virginia O’Neill, 10 years; and Kyle Nearhoff, five years.

•Ladies Auxiliary Service Awards – Debra Comerford and Charmayne Pollow, 15 years; and Jo Ann Stone, five years.

•Top responders for Youngstown Fire Co. included Timothy Fogarty, 210 calls; Suzanne Burrows, 172 calls; Andrew Hanna, 157 calls; Jeremy Ringvelski, 111 calls; and Steve Zastrow, 101 calls.

Also held that evening was the induction of the fire company’s officers. Included were: Eric Wieland, YVFC chief; Greg Quarantillo, first assistant; Timothy Fogarty, second assistant; James Panton, third assistant; Todd Muller, truck captain; James Acome and Donald Hermanson, captains; Zac Wilkinson, lieutenant; Kendra Wieland, line secretary; Jeremy Ringvelski, EMS captain; Suzanne Burrows, EMS lieutenant; Peter Kaminski, fire police captain; Gary Myers, fire police lieutenant; Timothy Fogarty, health and safety; and Timothy Wilkesmore, steward.

YVFC board officers include: Virginia O’Neill, president; Gary Bowman, vice president; Kristen Acome, recording secretary; Timothy Wilkesmore, treasurer, Nicole Quarantillo, financial secretary; James Pollow, Harold “Mickey” Suitor and Scott Szarejko, trustees; and Michelle Robertson and Stephen Zastrow, delegates.

YVFC exempt officers include James Pollow, president; Frederick Gibson, vice president; Keith Shaw, treasurer; and William Kowalski, secretary.

The YVFC Ladies Auxiliary includes Kristen Acome, president; Alicia Baldassara, vice president; Nancy Smithson, treasurer; and Mary Ellen Nelson, secretary.

YVFC Fire Explorer Post No. 911 officers include Russell Orsi, president; Jaden Reid, vice president; Lucas Heffler, treasurer; and Seajay Lewis, secretary.

For more information on the Youngstown Volunteer Fire Co., including volunteer opportunities, visit the YVFC online at yvfc.org or its page on Facebook.

(Photos by Kevin and Dawn Cobello, K&D Action Photo and Aerial Imaging)

Installation of fire company officers by Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti.

Youngstown Fire Co.’s top responders for 2022.

Newly installed YVFC fire company officers.