This past Saturday, ETVFD personnel, township officials, and sponsors attended the 21st Annual ETVFD Firefighter's Appreciation Banquet. This banquet was hosted at the Reading Country Club where members and patrons sat back for a relaxing night of dinner, conversation, and awards.

Awards were handed out after the dinner. The following people won awards.

Firefighter of the Year - Phil Ellingsworth Jr.

Junior Firefighter of the Year - Anthony Ricciutti

Rookie of the Year - John Painter Jr.

Chief's Award - Taylor Smith

ETVFD Scholarship ($500) - Chase Webb

Five Years of Service - Jack Chamberlain, Dean Clissa, Michael Kline, Scott Kulp, Rick Lombardo Jr., Patti Reuter, Ercilio Sangiovanny, Jorge Taveras, Sean Walter

Ten Years of Service - Matthew Eshenaur, Karen George, Robert Hoover

Life Member - Christopher Bickings

Top 10 Responders:
Eric Lessig

Dean Clissa, Brian Rhein, Robert Hoover, Scott Kulp, Anthony Ricciuti, Sean Walter, Christopher Jordan, Steve Begley, Josh Niziolek

Unit Citation - R.M. Palmer

March 24, 2023 - R.M Palmer Chocolate, 77 South 2nd Avenue, WEST READING PA

Upon receiving a call for automatic aid for a building explosion with entrapment, members of the Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department responded to assist the West Reading and City of Reading Fire Departments in West Reading Borough. On arrival, the members were presented with a major structural fire and collapse incident. Responding members immediately began assisting with fire suppression and rescue operations near and within the collapse zone. Members of the Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department directly and indirectly supported a multi-agency, extended search and rescue operation that resulted in the successful removal of victims that were trapped in the rubble, thus saving their lives.

Steve Begley, Abigail Blessing, Tucker Brown, Chris Chamberlain, Dean Clissa, Matt Esslinger, Nate Fick, Richard Fox, Summer Fox, Kenny Houck, David Kemmerer, Scott Kulp, Eric Lessig, William Marsden, Jim McHenry, Greg Moll, Jason O'Leary, Brian Rhein Steven Rhoads, Anthony Ricciuti, Ercilio Sangiovanny, Christian Sixtos-Flores, Jorge Taveras, Eric Thrush, Amanda Walker, Sean Walter, Thomas Walters Jr., Edgar Weitzel, Michael Wysolmerski, Frank Zieverink Jr.

Life Saving Award - Eric Thrush

March 24, 2023 - R.M Palmer Chocolate, 77 South 2nd Avenue, WEST READING PA

While fearlessly manning a hose line, shielding fellow firefighters as they courageously worked to extricate a trapped victim from the rubble of the R.M. Palmer building explosion in West Reading, Berks County, PA on March 24, 2023. In recognition of unparalleled valor and selfless service.

Unit Citations:

Constitution Avenue and Shelbourne Road

Exeter Township, PA

On Sunday, July 9, 2023, the Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department (Company 25) was dispatched to a reported water rescue on Constitution Avenue in Exeter Township. Initial reports indicated people trapped in their homes. Sustained, heavy rains created Antietam Creek to overflow its banks and take over Shelbourne Road at the intersection of Constitution Avenue. Many mutual-aid agencies were called in to assist the Exeter crews with the rescues. Exeter crews were placed into service to assist with rescuing residents from the houses surrounded by water.

Christopher Chamberlain – Incident Commander

Steve Rhoads, Kenny Houck, Phil Ehrlich, Jack Chamberlain, GerriLea Witzel

Broadway Avenue and Hollywood Drive

Exeter Township, PA

On Sunday, July 9, 2023, the Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department (Company 25) and automatic-aid companies were dispatched to a reported water rescue in the trailer park by Antietam Pool in Exeter Township. Initial reports indicated multiple people trapped in homes throughout Broadway Avenue and Hollywood Drive. Sustained, heavy rains created Antietam Creek to overflow its banks and swiftly take over the small streets in the Stony Creek area of Exeter Township. Many mutual-aid agencies were called in to assist the Exeter crews with numerous rescues. Marine 25 was placed into service to rescue residents from the homes surrounded by water.

Eric Lessig – Incident Commander

Steve Begley, Patrick Bickings, Abigail Blessing, Chris Chamberlain, Jack Chamberlain, Dean Clissa, Curtis Diehl, Phil Ehrlich, Phil Ellingsworth, Matt Eshenaur, Codey Eshenaur, Matt Esslinger, Richard Fox, Robert Hoover, Christopher Jordan, Keith Kuzio, Eric Lessig, Jacob Long, Gill Morissette, Josh Niziolek, Jason O'Leary, Jacob Reed, Steve Rhoads, Anthony Ricciuti, Ercilio Sangiovanny, Jeff Shilling, Chris Shirey, Christian Sixtos-Flores, Jorge Taveras, Sean Walter, Michael Wysolmerski

Gaskill Street and Wilson Avenue

Exeter Township, PA

On Sunday, July 9, 2023, the Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department (Company 25) and automatic-aid companies were dispatched to a reported water rescue on Wilson Avenue in Exeter Township. Initial reports indicated multiple people trapped in houses at the intersection. Sustained, heavy rains created Antietam Creek to overflow its banks and swiftly take over the small streets in the Stony Creek area of Exeter Township. Exeter, Lower Alsace, and City of Reading fire crews attempted to access the victims using rigging systems to cross the raging waters. After deeming the process too risky to first responders and while boats were still trying to find adequate access, Tower 25 was placed into service to rescue the trapped occupant and her dog. Tower 25 was placed into the rushing water and set up by the crews to utilize the tower bucket for the rescue. The resident and dog were safely removed to dry land via Tower 25’s bucket.

Christopher Jordan, Robert Hoover, Patrick Bickings, Abby Blessing, Jason O’Leary, Steve Begley, Michael Wysolmerski, Dean Clissa, Ercilio Sangiovanny, Curtis Diehl, and Keith Kuzio

Thank you to East Greenville Fire Company for covering the township while the members enjoyed their night!