The Perry Fire Association held its 30th annual awards and appreciation banquet at the Perry Elks Club Saturday night, where about 100 diners gathered, including members of the Perry and Dawson Stations of the Perry Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD), along with their boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands and wives.
Dating to 1878, the Perry Fire Association celebrates its 140th anniversary in 2018, according to Association historian Brian Eiteman, who also curates the Iowa Fire Museum and Fire Prevention Education Center in Perry.
A tasty buffet dinner provided by Elks Club team of Greg and Tina Haglund was followed by the awards ceremony, beginning with special recognition of Julie Kern of Rippey and the team of lifesavers — from the Perry Police Department, Perry First Responders, PVFD, Dallas County EMS and Mercy Medical Center — who responded to the Raccoon River near Perry in September when Kern suffered a heart attack.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you,” said an emotional Kern, who was accompanied at the banquet by her granddaughter, Tessa Kern, 12. With tears in her eyes, Kern thanked and hugged the lifesavers in turn.
“This shows the sort of team effort it takes to save lives,” said PVFD First Assistant Chief Brian Eiteman.
Awards were then bestowed on six firefighters in recognition of their length of service, beginning with Fire Chief Bill Kempf of the Dawson Fire Station, who has given 50 years of service as a firefighter.
“We thank you for your 50 years, Bill,” said PVFD Chief Chris Hinds, “and we hope to get another 50 out of you.”
Kempf noted that at one period during his tenure, he was the Dawson Fire Chief, his son Robert Kempf was the Jamaica Fire Chief, his son-in-law Jerry Anderson was the Perry Fire Chief and his son Jeff Kempf was a Dawson firefighter.
Also honored for their terms of service were PVFD Assistant Fire Chief Frank Eiteman, a 35-year veteran, Fire Lieutenant Joel Eiteman and Deputy Fire Chief Kevin McLaughlin for each serving 25 years and Firefighters Doug Bonjour and Doug Harlan for five years of service each.
The prestigious 2018 Firefighter of the Year honors went to 25-year veteran PVFD Firefighter Joel Eiteman, who responded to 40 fire calls in 2017 and 59 First Responders calls, including the call that saved the life of Julie Kern.
The Rookie of the Year award went to Firefighter Deanna Eiteman, who led the Perry First Responders team by responding to 214 calls in 2017. She also answered 52 fire calls.
PVFD Fire Captains Andy Modlin and Matt Hix were awarded crystal beer steins in recognition of their achievements as Fundraisers of the Year.
Perry Mayor John Andorf was on hand to congratulate the award winners on their achievements and thank the Perry Fire Association as whole for their dedication to the safety and security of the residents of Perry and the surrounding rural fire districts.
Dancing followed the dinner and awards ceremony, with music provided by Graney Entertainment of Perry.
Thanks to all our volunteer firefighters for the service you provide to our communities!