MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury Fire Department and Battell Hose Company held their annual awards dinner last month at the VFW Post 7823 in Middlebury. The dinner was attended by current, former, and life members of the Middlebury Fire Department, as well as by the members of the board of directors of the Battell Hose Company, and guests including Middlebury Police Department Dispatcher Supervisor Liz Tracy and Paula Cole of Cole’s Flowers.

Battell Hose Company board member and longtime football coach Peter Brakeley offered remarks to the group thanking them for their efforts and making connections between the fire service and football.

Chief David Shaw and Firefighter Michael Bougor presented challenge coins to Probationary Firefighters Joseph D’Avignon, Knox Hayunga, Piper O’Neill, Daniel Ribaudo and Aidan Ulian to acknowledge membership in, and service to, the organizations. Chief Shaw also presented a challenge coin to Liz Tracy to thank her for her exceptional work and leadership as a dispatcher and dispatcher supervisor.

Assistant Chief Myron Selleck presided over the presentation of awards to the following members:

• Firefighter Drew Murray, in absentia, for 5 years of service

• Captain LeRoy Graham for 10 years of service

• Captain Jeffrey Carpenter, in absentia, for 20 years of service

• Life Member Tim Comes for 30 years of service

• Life Member Josh Newton, in absentia, for 30 years of service

Assistant Chief Selleck presented Firefighter Audrey “A.J.” Rossbach with the Captain Richard E. Hayes Training Award for completing the most hours of training in the department for the prior year (2023) at 161 hours. Assistant Chief Selleck was joined in the presentation by the family of Captain Hayes, who passed away in 2001.

Chief Shaw presented the chief’s award to Lieutenant Blake Harrison in appreciation of his dedicated service and assistance beyond the expected.

Chief Shaw recognized the department for responding to 277 calls in the last year and for completing 3,270 hours of training.