Service to community through the Newstead Fire Company recognized
Newstead Fire Company Chief Jim Infanti and Newstead Fire Company President Louis Henley recognized the service of members of the Company during their installation of officers in December.
Top Responders
Newstead Fire Company volunteers responded to 653 alarms last year, up 75 alarms from the previous year.
Their top 10 responders for the past year:
Lindsay Pumm – 158 alarms
Dave Rebmann – 169 alarms
Chad Cummings – 179 alarms
Rick Rebmann – 209 alarms
Eric Sponholz – 219 alarms
Jeff Pumm – 224 alarms
Brock Hawes – 255 alarms
Mark Barszcz – 279 alarms
Doug Egloff – 285 alarms
Nikk Bruner – 357 alarms
Driver of the Year:
A driver is an important position as every time they get behind the wheel of a fire apparatus the lives of every person on that vehicle are in their hands. Eric Sponholtz, who responded to over 200 alarms during the firematic year and was a driver for just about every response was named Driver of the Year.
EMS Provider of the Year
Jesse DiRenzo is a NYS certified EMT. He has embraced his role running Newstead Fire Company EMS training and never shies away from jumping on their ambulance or Twin Cities ambulance to transport a patient to the hospital. Jesse was named EMS Provider of the Year.
Rookie of the Year
Christian DiPasquale, Trey Kipfer, James Neubauer, MacKenzie Rapson, Sam Villafranca, and Carlie Warner were recognized as the six individuals joining the Newstead Fire Company in 2024. Some of them come with experience from other agencies, some experiencing their first time serving their community. Chief Infanti thanked all of them for making the decision to join the NFC organization and serving this community.
In announcing the Rookie of the Year recipient, Infanti noted that James Neubauer, who joined with no previous experience, “is always asking questions to learn as much as he can,” and that he completed his Basic Exterior firefighting class and responded to 41 alarms since joining this year.”
Chief’s Award
“The person I picked for this award is someone that really helped me with anything I needed,” Infanti said. “He collected the things that slipped through and honestly without him I doubt we would have been as successful as we were this past year. This member is someone I know I can always turn to and he will do anything that is needed. This year the Chief’s award goes to Joe Hawes.”
Firefighter of the Year
Brock Hawes, described as a member who always does anything that needs to be done, was named Firefighter of the Year. He attends training and classes to further his education, he responded to over 250 calls this past year. “He runs a dual role in our organization, and every time any of us officers turn around he is there,” Infanti said.
Chief’s comments
Infanti shared that 10 years ago Newstead Fire Company responded to 349 alarms, and during the last year responded to 653 alarms, which is a 87 percent increase in alarms.
“We can proudly say just like 10 years ago, our members answered every alarm and helped every person that was in need. This past year we got our Jr. Firefighter program off the ground and had our first member join. We received approval to purchase 2 chief’s trucks which we expect delivery on in the spring, we began a truck committee to start the process of planning our next engine which we expect to order this coming year. I’m proud of what the members of the Newstead Fire Company have accomplished over the past year and I look forward to another successful year in 2025.
President’s Award
President Henly noted that the 2024 President’s Award was going to someone who has continuously been there to help for various events at the hall, and that this award is probably a bit overdue for all the work they put in up here.
“Setting up, preparing food for, helping at and cleaning up after funerals. Whether it be a fire company member directly or a firefighter’s family member. Any type of funeral service we’ve had at the hall over the last few years, which has unfortunately been a lot, this member offers her help without me even having to ask, every time.
“Helping to set up the pavilion for every home softball game, cooking and serving the food, and spending their Friday night staying to help clean up afterwards.
“Setting up for the Pancake Breakfasts, Installation Dinners, or any other social events or fundraisers up here.
“These are just a few of the times that this person helps both me and this fire company, without question and without hesitation
“Though it may not be common practice to give the President’s Award to someone who isn’t an active fire company member per say, I can’t think of many other people more deserving for this award than the president of our fire company auxiliary, Denise Hawes.’