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Recognizing Service to Minoa

President Tim Decker in a suit clapping with fire department plaques in the background.
President Decker 

Individuals Who Shine!

Achieving distinction takes remarkable people—those with a sense of purpose, integrity, and a deep commitment to doing the right thing. These are the individuals who make the world a better place during times of need. That spirit of service is what the Minoa Fire Department’s awards ceremony is all about.

On Saturday, January 25, 2025, the Minoa Fire Department gathered to honor the outstanding contributions of its members. Joining the celebration were Mayor Bill Brazill, Fire Commissioner Bobby Schepp, Trustee John Abbott, and Deputy Clerk Barb Sturick of the Village of Minoa, along with fire chiefs from neighboring departments that provide mutual aid, including Chief Jim Ostrowski of Bridgeport FD, Chief John Hart of Kirkville Fire Company, Chief Jansen Casscles of Manlius FD, and Chris Smith representing Minoa Ambulance.

Honoree of the Year

Deputy Chief Trevor Van Auken inducted Past Chief and Life Member Chuck Mullane into the Honoree Club. Chuck was recognized for his decades of dedicated service to the Minoa community. Learn more about his life journey [here].

Special Recognition

• Mayor’s Award: Mayor Brazill presented this award to Corporation President Tim Decker for his exceptional leadership as the liaison between the Village and the Department.

• Commissioner’s Award: Fire Commissioner Bobby Schepp recognized Firefighter Colin Decker for his can-do and will-do attitude.

Tim Decker and Mayor Brazill in suits stand together at a podium in front of a Minoa Fire Department backdrop.
President Tim Decker and Mayor Brazill
Tim Decker, Colin Decker, Commissioner Schepp, and Mayor Brazill in suits holding an award, smiling in front of a Minoa Fire Department backdrop.
President Decker, Firefighter Decker, Commissioner Schepp, and Mayor Brazill
Tim Decker and Mayor Brazill in suits stand together at a podium in front of a Minoa Fire Department backdrop.
Tim Decker, Colin Decker, Commissioner Schepp, and Mayor Brazill in suits holding an award, smiling in front of a Minoa Fire Department backdrop.

In Memoriam

The ceremony included a moment of silence to honor the passing of Life Members Ray Matthes and Bill Bryant. The Department also expressed gratitude to the widows of past members—Shiela Alessandrello-Dimkos, Patty Deberjeois, and Marilyn Macco—for their continued involvement.

A heartfelt thank-you was extended to the spouses, partners, and supporters of Minoa’s first responders, whose encouragement and sacrifices make the Department’s work possible.

Chief Grevelding in a suit gestures with an open hand in front of a backdrop with a logo.
Chief Don Grevelding

Training Accomplishments

Members were recognized for their dedication to professional development:

• Apparatus Operator – Aerial Device: FF Drew Cavanaugh

• Apparatus Operator – Pump: Lt. Jeremy DiBello

• Basic Aircraft Firefighting: Lt. Dominic Erard

• Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations: FF Matt Jennings

• Basic & Interior Firefighting Operations: FF Tim Hess

• Emergency Medical Technician Basic: FF Drew Cavanaugh

• Engine Company Operations: Lt. Dominic Erard

• Firefighter 2: Chief Don Grevelding

• Fire Officer 1: FF Colin Decker

• Fire Officer 2: FF Jeremy Erard, Deputy Chief Trevor Van Auken

• Fire Officer 3: Chief Don Grevelding, Deputy Chief Tim Visser

• Fire Police: FF Mike Abbott

Two people posing, one holds a certificate. Background has "Mina Fire Department" logos and a cartoon figure.
Chief Grevelding and Deputy Chief Van Auken
Person holding a certificate from Minoa Fire Department, standing in front of a cartoon mascot backdrop.
Drew Cavanaugh
Two men standing; one holding a certificate. Background has "MINOA FIRE DEPARTMENT" logos and a firefighter cartoon.
Jeremy DiBello
Two men posing, one holding a certificate, with "Minoa Fire Department" logo in the background.
Dominic Erard
Two people posing; one holds a certificate. A cartoon mascot character in the background.
Tim Hess
Two people in suits, one holding a certificate, standing in front of a Minoa Fire Department backdrop.
Colin Decker
Two people posing, one holds a certificate. Background has "Mina Fire Department" logos and a cartoon figure.
Person holding a certificate from Minoa Fire Department, standing in front of a cartoon mascot backdrop.
Two men standing; one holding a certificate. Background has "MINOA FIRE DEPARTMENT" logos and a firefighter cartoon.
Two men posing, one holding a certificate, with "Minoa Fire Department" logo in the background.
Two people posing; one holds a certificate. A cartoon mascot character in the background.
Two people in suits, one holding a certificate, standing in front of a Minoa Fire Department backdrop.

Top 10 Responders for 2024

Certificates were awarded to the department’s most active members:

  •  FF Jeremy Erard (338 responses)
  •  Lt. Jeremy DiBello (292)
  •  Lt. Dave Hess (228)
  •  FF Drew Cavanaugh (205)
  •  Restricted FF Tim Hess (200)
  •  Lt. Dominic Erard (192)
  •  Deputy Chief Trevor Van Auken (184)
  •  Capt. Tony Alessandrello (155)
  •  Chief Don Grevelding (148)
  •  FF Jake Hoffman (147)
The top 10 responders in suits, some holding certificates, posing in front of a "Mendham Fire Department" banner.
Dave Hess, Chief Grevelding, Drew Cavanaugh, Jake Hoffman, Dominic Erard, Tim Hess, Jeremy DiBello, Deputy Chief Trevor Van Auken, Capt. Tony Alessandrello

Years of Service Awards

Longevity and commitment were celebrated with the following recognitions:

• 15 Years: FF Jeremy Cunningham, FF Dan Erard

• 20 Years: Past Chief/Life Member Erich Schepp

• 25 Years: Life Member Todd Durantini, Past Chief/Life Member Matt McGarrity

• 35 Years: Past Deputy Chief David Matthes, Jr.

• 40 Years: Life Member Wendy Czajak

• 50 Years: Life Members Wayne Konseck, Jack Robie, and FF Jim Schuyler

• 55 Years: Life Member Alan Archer

Chief Grevelding, Jeremy Cunningham (holding his award), and President Tim Decker. Background shows "Minoa Fire Department" insignia.
Jeremy Cunningham
Chief Grevelding, Don Erard (holding his award), and President Tim Decker - Minoa Fire Department logos are in the background.
Dan Erard
Chief Grevelding, Todd Durantini (holding his award), and President Tim Decker in front of a Minoa Fire Department backdrop.
Todd Durantini
Chief Grevelding, Dave Matthes, Jr. (holding his award), and President Tim Decker standing in front of a Minoa Fire Department banner.
Dave Matthes, Jr.
Chief Grevelding, Jack Robie (holding a framed award) standing in front of a backdrop with badges.
Jack Robie
Chief Grevelding, Jeremy Cunningham (holding his award), and President Tim Decker. Background shows "Minoa Fire Department" insignia.
Chief Grevelding, Don Erard (holding his award), and President Tim Decker - Minoa Fire Department logos are in the background.
Chief Grevelding, Todd Durantini (holding his award), and President Tim Decker in front of a Minoa Fire Department backdrop.
Chief Grevelding, Dave Matthes, Jr. (holding his award), and President Tim Decker standing in front of a Minoa Fire Department banner.
Chief Grevelding, Jack Robie (holding a framed award) standing in front of a backdrop with badges.

Life Member Awards

Pat Flanery giving a thumbs-up gesture in a seated gathering.
Pat Flannery

Life Member awards were presented to:

• Past Captain Nick Carulli

• Past Chief Pat Flannery

• Past Deputy Chief Chuck Spratt

Special Awards

• Longest-Serving Member Award: Presented by Past Deputy Chief David Matthes, Jr. to his father, David Matthes, Sr.

• Britt Van Auker Award: Presented to the Department’s oldest living member, Wayne Konseck.

• Member of the Year: Presented to Bob Bellandi by Corporation President Tim Decker.

• President’s Award: Presented to Randy Capriotti, Jr.

• Firefighter of the Year: Chief Grevelding presented this award to Zach Van Auken.

• Chief’s Award: Presented to Rich Sabin.

• Red Jacket Award: OCVFA Director Tina Cali presented this award to Wayne Konseck and Jack Robie.

Dave Matthes, Sr. holding his award, flanked on the left by his grandson, Hunter Matthes, and on the right by his son, Dave Matthes, Jr. Dave Sr. is holding a trophy, stand in front of a "Minoa Fire Department" backdrop.
Dave Matthes, Sr., (center) flanked by grandson Hunter Matthes and son, Dave Matthes, Jr.
Bob Bellandi in a suit holding a "Member of the Year" award from the Minoa Fire Department.
Bob
Randy Capriotti, Jr. and President Decker, in suits, at the award ceremony, with one of them holding a trophy.
Randy Capriotti, Jr.
Rich Sabin and Chief Grevelding in suits with "Minoa Fire Department" logos behind them. One is touching the other on the shoulder.
Rich Sabin
Zach Van Auken and Chief Cunningham at the award ceremony; Zach is holding a plaque.
Zach Van Auken
President Decker, Jack Robie (holding his award jacket), and OCVFA Director Tina Cali posing with a Minoa Fire Department jacket in front of a backdrop with fire department logos.
Jack Robie with President Decker and OCVFA Director, Tina Cali
Dave Matthes, Sr. holding his award, flanked on the left by his grandson, Hunter Matthes, and on the right by his son, Dave Matthes, Jr. Dave Sr. is holding a trophy, stand in front of a "Minoa Fire Department" backdrop.
Bob Bellandi in a suit holding a "Member of the Year" award from the Minoa Fire Department.
Randy Capriotti, Jr. and President Decker, in suits, at the award ceremony, with one of them holding a trophy.
Rich Sabin and Chief Grevelding in suits with "Minoa Fire Department" logos behind them. One is touching the other on the shoulder.
Zach Van Auken and Chief Cunningham at the award ceremony; Zach is holding a plaque.
President Decker, Jack Robie (holding his award jacket), and OCVFA Director Tina Cali posing with a Minoa Fire Department jacket in front of a backdrop with fire department logos.
Trevor Van Auken in a suit, holding a microphone, wearing a green and brown checkered cap.
Deputy Chief Trevor van Auken, Event Emcee

Acknowledgments

The Minoa Fire Department thanks the Banquet Committee—Rich Sabin, Colin Decker, Bob Bellandi, Al Tompkins, and Jen Sabin—for organizing a wonderful evening. Appreciation also goes to DJ Rocking Rob and Sam, and the staff at The Turning Stone Resort Casino for hosting. Finally, a special thank-you to the Fayetteville Fire Department for covering the Minoa fire district during the celebration.