MVFC Annual Installation of Officers

Manassas Volunteer Fire Company Celebrates Its 118th Annual Installation of Officers

On September 19, 2009, the Manassas Volunteer Fire Company hosted its 118th annual installation of company officers at the City Tavern in Old Town Manassas. This gala event featured an excellent meal, DJ entertainment and an awards ceremony in addition to the swearing in of the new company officer. The Fire Company holds its elections every August with those elected taking office on September 1.

This year was marked with changes in the senior leadership of the Fire Company. Last year’s Vice President Mike Thompson was elected President taking over from Dr. Peter Pandolfi at the end of his three years as President. Captain Jon Stern was elected Fire Chief and he is replacing Fire Chief Roger Ward after his two years as Fire Chief. Other elected line officers were Assistant Chief Matt Lausch, Captains Don Holman and Gary Orndoff, and Lieutenants Seth Bowie, Jeff Lenard and Tom Mullins. For the administrative officers, James Stokely was elected Vice President, Jason Lesnik Treasurer, Ian Pleet Secretary, Richard Ratcliffe Assistant Secretary/Treasurer and Frank Sweet Chaplain. The Fire Company also elects at this time four At-Large members of the Board of Directors. These four individuals were Joseph Donoghue, Chase Rice, Richard Ratcliffe and Peter Pandolfi.

The Fire Company was fortunate enough to have several distinguished guests in attendance at the dinner. City of Manassas Vice Mayor Andrew Harrover came and presided over the swearing in ceremony.
Also attending were City Councilmen Jonathan Way and Steven Randolph and Mr. Glen Carper. President Michael Enright of the Greater Manassas Volunteer Rescue Squad joined the celebration as did several career staff of the City of Manassas Fire and Rescue Department. This year’s function was arranged by the MVFC Ladies Auxiliary who did a fantastic job and many of their members including Auxiliary President Betty Kealey also attended.

Both Fire Chief Stern and President Thompson spoke of the optimism they have for the coming year as we continue to work with the City to form a unified and cohesive operating structure among the Fire Company, Rescue Squad and City Fire and Rescue Department. While challenges still lay before us, both leaders foresaw this as being a year of great accomplishment. They also thanked the outgoing President and Fire Chief for all their efforts during their tenure. Each was presented with a special gift to acknowledge their time and achievements.
After the swearing in ceremony, attention focused to the annual awards. President Thompson presented 5-year service stars to the following individuals:

Jon Stern 5 years
Randy Higgins 5 years
Sam King 5 years
Claudio Sepulveda 5 years
Bob Ellis 10 years
Jon Wangsness 10 years
Greg Woods 10 years
Peter Pandolfi 15 years
Brian Merchant 30 years
James Stokely 35 years
James Robinson 65 years

President Thompson then began the presentation of the five annual Fire Company awards. The first award was the Officer of the Year which is selected by vote of the Fire Company members. The 2008 recipient was then Captain Jon Stern. Chief Stern then presented the 2008 Rookie of the Year to Fire Fighter John Switzer. This individual is selected by the Line Officers based on the performance of the individual on the fire ground and in the station.

Former President Pandolfi then presented the 2008 Wade C. House Award to then Vice President Thompson for his dedication and assistance throughout the year in working with the City on the melding of the fire and rescue service. Former President Pandolfi was then asked to present the James E. Rice Award for 2008. This award goes to the individual who best exemplifies the skills and knowledge on the fire ground as displayed by past Fire Chief James E. Rice. This year the Rice award was presented to Fire Fighter Jon Wangsness. The final award for the evening was the Albert Spieden Award. Albert Spieden was the Fire Company’s first Fire Chief with earlier leaders of the Company holding the rank of Captain. He was a noted architect and was responsible for numerous advances in the fire protection service for the Town of Manassas. This is the Company’s oldest award and is presented to the member that the Fire Chief and President believe contributed the most to the Fire Company in all areas. Mr. Glen Carper, grandnephew of Albert Spieden, presented Fire Fighter Michael Wittlinger with this year’s award not only for reliably performing fire duty but also for running a fund raising project that netted the Company nearly $25,000. The Fire Company is honored to have Mr. Carper present the award each year and appreciate his support of the volunteer fire company.

After the awards were presented, the formal part of the function was concluded. Guests were invited to stay and enjoy dancing to the DJ and generally mingle socially with all the attendees.

Story by Peter W. Pandolfi, Ph.D.