The Doylestown Fire Co. #1 held their annual banquet for members and Auxiliary at the Warrington Country Club on April 2.  The annual event honors the membership of the organizations and gives the company the opportunity to recognize members for their service to the community and fire company for the previous year.

The firefighter of the year for 2006, as voted for by the membership of the fire company, is George Erb. Erb, the fire police lieutenant for 15 years, has been a member for 17 years. Before coming to Doylestown, he was a fire police officer at Midway Fire Company. He started his firefighting career in Willow Grove, where he started as a firefigher at the age of 18 and rose through the ranks, becoming chief of that department in 1974. Erb also received an award for his attendance for 2005, having responded to 46% of the activity of the fire company. Erb has been a frequent recipient of attendance awards over the past 10 years.

James F. Shepard was awarded the Chief’s Award, Steve Walther the President’s Award, and Bill Cope the Committee Chairperson’s Award for his 10 years as chair of the by-laws committee.

Matt Grogan, recent transplant from Connecticut with his wife, Sara, was named Rookie of the Year. Matt spearheaded a recruitment drive at Delaware Valley College that helped bring a half-dozen new members to the company last year.

Service pins were handed out, representing the time dedicated to the fire company. Ollie Groman, Sr., Nick Chub and Bob Myers were honored for 55 years of service, Jack Connard and Jim Garretson for 45 years, Bill Funk for 40, Bill Price for 35, and Gian Luiso, John Croman and Ollie Groman, Jr. for 30. Ed Truman and Mike Wood were given 25 year pins. James D. Shepard, a past Chief, was given his 20 year pin and gold card making him a life member of the fire company. Receiving 15 year pins were Ed Boshell, Chris Morris, Paul Kreuter and James F. Shepard. 10 year pins to Ryan Pankoe and Dan Kline. A five year pins went to Ellyn Forquer.

Attendance awards are given to firefighters each year who have the top 6 percentages of responding to calls. The fire company responded to 651 calls, held 51 training drills and 22 meetings and details for a total of 724 events. Kevin Morris responded 44% for 6^th place, Matt Grogan 45% for 5th Place, George Erb 46% for fourth place, Grant Castor 49%, third place and Dennis Loux, Sr. second with 49%. Michael Wood was the top responder for the year, with 65%. These numbers represent a huge amount of time given in service to the community and are only a small representation of the time given by members of the fire company.