Mariposa County Fire Department (MCFD) Celebrates its Members at the 8th Annual Appreciation Bar-B-Que

Mariposa County Fire Department (MCFD) sponsored the 18^th Annual Appreciation Bar-B-Que to thank its volunteer members for another successful year of serving their communities’ emergency service needs.  The day’s agenda began with games and craft activities for kids of all ages.  In between MCFD hosted a tri tip and chicken dinner for members, families and friends as well as a raffle for prizes generously donated by County merchants. Throughout the afternoon a candidate for Honorary Mayor of Coulterville, Fannie d’ Flame (aka Debbie Cook), plied attendees for bribes/votes with a well stocked candy bar.

Following the meal, MCFD honored its 2011 outstanding members.  Receiving special department-wide recognition for exceptional achievement was:

Rookie of the Year—Jacob Chestnut; Lushmeadows

Firefighter of the Year—Tina Dearing; Mormon Bar

EMS Responder of the Year—Bob Garcia; Ponderosa Basin

Support Member of the Year—Joe McCleary; Midpines

Captain of the Year—Harve Dearing; Midpines

Company of the Year—Catheys Valley

On behalf of the Company, Captain Richard Shelton accepted the Perpetual Trophy awarded to the Company of the Year; a silver cast fire bell. With perfect weather and no major fires to draw down local resources, member and family attendance matched last year’s record.  Students from Mariposa High School Grizzly Fire program were integral to the day’s success. As a team, they assisted with setting tables, serving food, prize raffles, and cleaning up. In addition to MCFD members, engine crews from Sierra National Forest also participated.  Many thanks to all who helped make this the most successful event yet.  

The award ceremonies began with the outstanding member from each station.  Recognized were: 

Station 21—Midpines:  Harve Dearing

Station 22—MPUD:  Myles Jellison

Station 23—Catheys Valley: Cody Moore

Station 24—Don Pedro: Eric Forster

Station 25—Mount Bullion: Kevin Keheley

Station 26—Coulterville: Nick Moschetti

Station 27—Mormon Bar: Janis Gale

Station 29—Lushmeadows: Jake Chestnut

Station 31—Greeley Hill: Scott Wachs

Station 32—Ponderosa Basin: Pat Garcia

Station 33—Fish Camp: Mark Spencer

Station 36—Hunters Valley: Joann Finch

Station 37—Bootjack: Scott Biro

Mariposa Grizzly FD: Cody Moore

            Also recognized through a special Chief’s Award for extraordinary achievement were: Debbie Cook, Coulterville; Jake Crabtree, Don Pedro and Karen Wilson, Greeley Hill.

MCFD Award Winners from Left to right; Award Presenter Board Chair Jim Allen, Firefighter of the Year Tina Dearing; Captain of the Year, Harve Dearing; Rookie of the Year, Jacob Chestnut; EMS Responder of the year, Bob Garcia; Support Member of the Year, Joe McCleary.