Story and photos 5/5 by Christopher R. Martin
Brockport Firefighters gathered with family and friends, elected officials, and members of the Brockport American Legion Post 379 on April 27 to celebrate the 192nd Anniversary of the department. Association officers also presented their annual Service Awards for years of service, and their newly instituted awards for lifesaving and heroism. Over 130 people were in attendance to share in the presentations. Bo Jaxon of WBEE 92.5 served as the Master of Ceremonies and provided music during the entire event.
The following were recognized for their many, many years of service to the community and to the department:
•75 YEARS – Mabel Koss
•60 YEARS – A. Gary Zimmer
•55 YEARS – Richard Gillespie, Charles Sanford, Judith Pratt, Charlene Whipple and James Sauberan
•50 YEARS – Michael Koss
•45 YEARS – Howard Henick, Deborah Hoy, Douglas Bopp, John Alexander, Larry Bidwell, and Peter Hare
•40 YEARS – Scott Smith, Linda McMillion, and Christian McCullough
•35 YEARS – Raymond Kutterhoff, Rebecca Conrow, Lawrence Siegfried and Rosemary Smith
•30 YEARS – Michael Henry and Scott Elliott
•25 YEARS – Lucas VanDervort, James Toole and Deborah McFarland.
The President’s Award was presented to two individuals who stood out among others in supporting the mission of the Brockport Volunteer Firefighter’s Association and specifically the President. The 2023 awards were presented to Scott Smith and Allan Hoy.
The heroism awards spanned the two full years prior to the banquet (2022-2023).
Chief José Medina was recognized by then Chief Scott Wainwright for the harrowing rescue in 2022 assisting the man from the burning vehicle on Salmon Creek Road. Chief Medina was also presented with the Firefighter of the Year for heroism award from Fire News Magazine by President Sabernick for the same incident. Chief Wainwright also presented awards for 2022 to Matt Nauerth, Adam Leggett and Alex Cervini. The trio rescued a female victim who was trapped in a house fire on Shumway Road. Their efforts in a “zero-visibility” smoke condition contributed to the saving of the life of another.
Chief Medina then took to the microphone to present the heroism awards for 2023. Calling up Mary Smith, Tim Smith and Zach Alexander, the Chief retold the story of how they responded to assist in forced entry to an apartment on Owens Road. On arrival they found the victim was continuing to bleed uncontrollably despite law enforcement efforts to stop it, as they awaited the arrival of the ambulance. This crew was able to provide emergency medical services efforts reducing the bleed and also contributing to saving the life of another.
The response and Chief’s awards were given to the personnel who topped the charts in their category of participation. Zach Alexander was presented with the Top Responder in two categories: Calls Taken and Training Hours. Brian Smith was recognized as the Top Responding Officer and Cheryl Weist was named Top Responding Fire Police Officer. The Chief’s Award was presented to the Recruitment & Retention Team.
Officers from the American Legion Post 379 in Brockport were in attendance to present their Firefighter of the Year Award to Past Assistant Chief Allan Hoy for his many years of service to the community, the department, and to his family, the building blocks they choose to recognize in their organization. Post Commander Jack Tangen and Post Adjutant Bill Fine thanked Hoy for his service while they presented the award and also presented a donation to the Association.
Mabel Koss was recognized for 75 years of service.
American Legion Post 379 names Allan Hoy Firefighter of the Year
by Christopher R. Martin
Members of the American Legion Harsch Crisp Seaman Post 379 in Brockport selected Allan Hoy as Firefighter of the Year for 2023. Hoy was nominated by the Law & Order Committee. Post Commander Jack Tangen and Post Adjutant Bill Fine attended the Brockport Volunteer Firefighter’s Association Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony on April 27 to make the presentation among Hoy’s peers.
Commander Tangen expressed the American Legion’s appreciation and gratitude for Hoy citing excerpts from the nomination.
Past Chief Hoy has been an above active volunteer firefighter since joining the department in 1976. He has served in a variety of leadership roles to include Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, as well as Vice President and President of his fire company. He is a Life Member of the Western New York Volunteer Firemen’s Association and has received many accolades during his tenure with the department. Hoy was recognized for his participation in several large-scale incidents and for his overall high level of activity. He was named Top Responder in 2023, attesting to his continued activity as a firefighter.
In addition to his life of service as a volunteer firefighter, Allan became active in town government (in between fire calls, it seems). He first served the Town of Clarkson on the Planning Board from 1993 to mid-1994. He then became a Town Council Member in September 1994 and served on the Town Board for over 27 years. As a Board Member, he had a variety of assignments and duties. He was on the Sweden-Clarkson Recreation and Parks Advisory Board for six years, the Community Activity Center Committee, and the Joint Municipal Committee on Fire Protection for three years. He also served as one of the Commissioners for the Brockport-Clarkson-Sweden Joint Recreation Commission from 1996 to 2002.
Firefighter Hoy strives to provide a better quality of life for his family, his community, and his fire department. It is because of his extensive service as a firefighter and his dedication to the community over his many years on the Board and his committee assignments that he was selected to receive this award.
