113 Years of Service Celebrated at Awards Banquet

A man in a green suit and cap speaks at a podium with a microphone, likely at a formal event.
Emcee, Deputy Chief Trevor Van Auken

 On Saturday evening, April 11, 2026, the Minoa Fire Department gathered for its 113th Annual Awards Banquet—a night built around one simple but powerful idea: gratitude.

From the opening remarks, the tone was clear—this was about saying thank you to the members who show up, train hard, and answer the call, along with the families and partners who make that service possible.

The room was filled not only with firefighters, but with the broader public safety family—leaders from neighboring departments, law enforcement, and the Onondaga County Volunteer Firefighters Association. The department also paused to recognize something deeper than service: family legacy, honoring widows who remain an important part of the department’s story.

Training & Professional Development Recognition

A major highlight of the evening was recognizing members who committed themselves to additional training and certifications in 2025. These members completed advanced coursework ranging from Ice & Cold Water Rescue to Fire Instructor certifications—strengthening the department’s readiness across the board.

The image contains a list of names organized into three columns.

Top Responders for 2025

When the tones drop, these are the members who answered most often in 2025:

The image lists names and numbers of firefighters and other emergency personnel, presumably ranking or assignments.

 

Two men stand together, one holding a certificate, in front of a blue backdrop featuring a fire department logo.
Kyle Stanley
Two men stand together, one holding a certificate, with an American flag in the background and a themed backdrop behind them.
Tim Hess
Two men are smiling and shaking hands while holding a certificate, with an American flag and a fire department backdrop.
Jeremy DiBello
Two men are smiling and posing with a certificate at an event. An American flag is visible in the background.
Brad Tyger
Two men are smiling and posing for a photo, one holding a certificate, with an American flag and decoration in the background.
Brad Cretaro
Two men stand together, one holding a certificate, in front of an American flag and a decorated backdrop, likely celebrating an achievement.
Anthony Alessandrello
Two men stand together for a photo, one holding a certificate, with an American flag and a fire department backdrop.
Zach Van Auken
Two men are on stage, one in a colorful shirt receiving a certificate from the other, with an American flag in the background.
Dave Hess
Two men stand together, one holding a certificate, against a backdrop featuring the Minda Fire Department logo.
Dave Matthes, Jr.
A formal event where one individual receives a certificate, posed with another person in front of an American flag and a backdrop.
Austin Maule
Two men stand together at an event, one holding a certificate, with an American flag and a blue backdrop in the background.
Mike Abbott
A woman in a blue dress and a man in a suit pose for a photo near an American flag at an event with a fire department backdrop.
Maddy Rushlo
Two men are smiling for a photo, one holding a certificate, with an American flag in the background.
Colin Decker
Two men are at a ceremony, one receiving a certificate while standing next to a banner and an American flag.
Joshia Rolison
A smiling man holds a frame, walking in front of a Minda Fire Department backdrop at an event, with an American flag nearby.
Chief Don Grevelding
Two men stand together, one holding a certificate, in front of a blue backdrop featuring a fire department logo.
Two men stand together, one holding a certificate, with an American flag in the background and a themed backdrop behind them.
Two men are smiling and shaking hands while holding a certificate, with an American flag and a fire department backdrop.
Two men are smiling and posing with a certificate at an event. An American flag is visible in the background.
Two men are smiling and posing for a photo, one holding a certificate, with an American flag and decoration in the background.
Two men stand together, one holding a certificate, in front of an American flag and a decorated backdrop, likely celebrating an achievement.
Two men stand together for a photo, one holding a certificate, with an American flag and a fire department backdrop.
Two men are on stage, one in a colorful shirt receiving a certificate from the other, with an American flag in the background.
Two men stand together, one holding a certificate, against a backdrop featuring the Minda Fire Department logo.
A formal event where one individual receives a certificate, posed with another person in front of an American flag and a backdrop.
Two men stand together at an event, one holding a certificate, with an American flag and a blue backdrop in the background.
A woman in a blue dress and a man in a suit pose for a photo near an American flag at an event with a fire department backdrop.
Two men are smiling for a photo, one holding a certificate, with an American flag in the background.
Two men are at a ceremony, one receiving a certificate while standing next to a banner and an American flag.
A smiling man holds a frame, walking in front of a Minda Fire Department backdrop at an event, with an American flag nearby.

Years of Service Awards

Longevity in the fire service is measured not just in years—but in commitment. We have witnessed significant commitment and recognized the following individuals:

The image lists individuals being recognized for their years of service, ranging from 5 to 60 years.
Two men are smiling and shaking hands at an event, with an awards plaque visible. A cartoonish firefighter character is in the background.
Brad tygar - 5 years
Two men are smiling and posing for a photo while holding an award, with an American flag and a backdrop featuring a shield logo.
Randy Capriotti, Sr. - 20 years
Two men are posing together, one holding an award plaque, with a banner for a fire department in the background.
Jeremy DiBello - 15 years
Two men stand together, one holding an award plaque, with a backdrop featuring a fire department logo and an American flag.
Dave Hess - 20 years
Two men are holding a plaque, smiling, in front of a backdrop for the Minoa Fire Department. An American flag is visible.
Colin Decker - 5 years
Two men are posing together; one is receiving an award. The backdrop features logos for a fire department event.
Zach Van Auken - 15 years
A young man receives an award from another man during a ceremony, with a backdrop featuring fire department logos.
Tim Hess - 5 years
A man receives an award from another in front of a blue backdrop with emergency service logos.
Anthony Alessandrello - 15 years
Two men at a podium are presenting an award, with an American flag in the background and a blue banner featuring a fire department emblem.
Mike Jarvis - 50 years
Two men are smiling and shaking hands at an event, with an awards plaque visible. A cartoonish firefighter character is in the background.
Two men are smiling and posing for a photo while holding an award, with an American flag and a backdrop featuring a shield logo.
Two men are posing together, one holding an award plaque, with a banner for a fire department in the background.
Two men stand together, one holding an award plaque, with a backdrop featuring a fire department logo and an American flag.
Two men are holding a plaque, smiling, in front of a backdrop for the Minoa Fire Department. An American flag is visible.
Two men are posing together; one is receiving an award. The backdrop features logos for a fire department event.
A young man receives an award from another man during a ceremony, with a backdrop featuring fire department logos.
A man receives an award from another in front of a blue backdrop with emergency service logos.
Two men at a podium are presenting an award, with an American flag in the background and a blue banner featuring a fire department emblem.
Two men pose for a photo at an event. One man holds an award plaque, while the other stands beside him, smiling.
Al Tompkins
Two men are smiling and posing with an award or trophy at an event, with a blue background featuring logos.
Dave Matthes, Sr.

Special Honors & Legacy Awards

Some recognitions go beyond time served—they reflect lasting impact:

• Life Member Award: Al Tompkins

• Longest Serving Member: David Matthes Sr.

• Britt Van Auker Award (Oldest Living Member): Wayne Konseck

Department Awards

These honors highlight leadership, dedication, and excellence:

• Member of the Year: Mike Abbott

• President’s Award: Tony Alessandrello

• Firefighter of the Year: Madalyn Rushlo

• Chief’s Award: Tim Hess

Two men are shaking hands, with one presenting an award plaque to the other at an official event.
Mike Abbott with Corporation President, Tom Decker
A woman and a man are engaged in a presentation, likely receiving or handing over an award or recognition at an event.
Madalyn Rushlo
Two men pose for a photo, one holding an award. The backdrop features the logo of the Minda Fire Department.
Tim Hess
Two men are shaking hands at a ceremonial event, one presenting an award or plaque to the other. A logo background is visible.
Anthony Alessandrello
Two men are shaking hands, with one presenting an award plaque to the other at an official event.
A woman and a man are engaged in a presentation, likely receiving or handing over an award or recognition at an event.
Two men pose for a photo, one holding an award. The backdrop features the logo of the Minda Fire Department.
Two men are shaking hands at a ceremonial event, one presenting an award or plaque to the other. A logo background is visible.

OCVFA & Green Jacket Honors

The image shows a group at a ceremonial event for the Minoa Fire Department, featuring speakers and attendees in formal attire.
Mike Jervis (left), Red Jacket recepient

Recognized at Onondaga County level for extraordinary service:

OCVFA Red Jacket Award

  • Dennis Erard
  • Mike Jarvis
  • Pat Meehan

Yardbird Green Jacket Award (50 Years of Service)

  • Dennis Erard
  • Mike Jarvis
  • Pat Meehan

Honoree Club Inductions

A man in a suit speaks at a podium with a microphone, likely during a formal event or presentation.
Todd Durantini

Two members were formally recognized for their lasting contributions to the department:

  • Steve Giarusso
  • Todd Durantini

Todd Durantini addressed the room following his induction, adding a personal reflection to an already meaningful evening.

And Yes… Even a Little Fun

The night wasn’t all formality.

The crowd favorite? The “Stay Stashy” Best Mustache Award, presented to Support Member Bob Bellandi—a reminder that camaraderie is just as important as commitment.

A Department Effort

Chief Grevelding closed the evening by thanking members and their families, reinforcing a truth everyone in the room understands: no one serves alone.

Emcee Trevor Van Auken extended special thanks to:

  • The banquet committee
  • The staff at The Links
  • DJ Rick Raner
  • Fayetteville Fire Department for covering the district during the event.

The Bigger Picture

Events like this don’t just celebrate the past year—they reinforce what makes a volunteer fire department work: people who show up, year after year, for each other and for their community. If there was one takeaway from the evening, it was this: Minoa Fire Department isn’t just responding to calls—it’s building a legacy.