Keysville Volunteer Fire Dept. Holds Annual Banquet

Members and guests of the Keysville Volunteer Fire Department gathered this past Saturday evening for their annual Christmas dinner and awards banquet. Fire Chief Lynn Duffey welcomed those present and praised the members of the department for their efforts in making 2015 another safe year for its members as they served their community.

The department responded to 110 calls in the last year.  Duffey shared the challenges that members faced stating that many signed on to be firefighters, not realizing the job duties would expand into first responders as the company was often the first to arrive at the scene of an accident. He shared stories of proudly watching his people move beyond their comfort zones to be able to offer whatever assistance was needed.

“[Being a firefighter] is a special calling that is not for everyone,” stated Duffey.  “It requires a commitment level that often interferes with our families.” The commitment to the department is not just limited to emergency calls. In addition to the meetings, training courses and the care and maintenance of the firehouse and trucks, time is also spent in fundraising activities. This year the Keysville VFD along with Sugar Shack Hunt Club hosted the Fun Festival at Hooper Park in Crewe, VA and the department pulled together the best haunted house experience with their “Nightmare on Church Street”.  Any free time in the months of August and September were spent in preparation for the haunted house that ran for the four weekends in October.  Duffey laughed, “and with all this going on, this group somehow still found time to play volleyball together. They really are one big family.”

Duffey, along with Assistant Chief Scotty Jackson, presented years of service awards to four members who reached milestones with Company 7. Receiving service awards were Matt Dunaway, 5 years;  Justin Wilmer, 15 years; Tommy Goodrich and Kenny Berkley, 20 years.

The Keysville VFD not only honored its members for their exemplary efforts, but also recognized local businessmen and women for their efforts in helping the department during the year.  Citizenship Awards were presented to  Keysville Board of Supervisor member Butch Shook, Averett Jones of the Southside Messenger, Tim Tucker of Tucker Timber, Beth Shook of the Keysville Express, Larry Shook of NAPA and Dave Conrad and the volunteers at Tail Waggers.  Local residents, Chris and Melissa Archer, were honored for their assistance in providing help for the haunted house through Cory’s Program. Chief Duffey stated, “This haunted house took more folks to work it than we had. We reached out to the Archers, and they brought help from Cory’s Program all four weekends. We were glad to have them there and couldn’t have done it without them.”

Scotty Jackson, Tommy Goodrich and William Vereen were awarded the Above the Call of Duty Award for their diligence and fortitude in very difficult circumstances; and William Vereen was awarded the Firefighter of the Year Award. “Every member is part of what makes this department excellent. They are there for their community and they are there for each other. It is an honor to stand with these people as they serve our community,” stated the Chief.

Many thanks to the Meherrin Volunteer Fire Department for covering Keysville for their awards banquet.