Three years ago when we decided to put together this battalion we had a small get together at the end of the year to celebrate the year and the progress that we had made.  Each year the party has gotten a little bigger and we have had much to celebrate each year.  This years celebration was held at the Circle S Ranch just over the line in the edge of Mississippi.  Members from all South Sumter Departments and several other agencies in the Sumter area attended the event and there was plenty to celebrate.  In addition to several speeches, awards, prizes and a wonderful meal, everyone present was treated to a excellent video detailing the year provided by Rindy Vaughan.  Here are the highlights from the night…

Members enjoying appetizers.

Chief Cunningham (York Fire) and several of his officers were in attendance. 

Circle S provided a wonderful meal for the affair.  Thanks Harvey and Patty!

The man of the hour…  Wykene Bell, Jr. and his family were invited for his efforts in saving the life of a neighbor.  Refer to the whole story at http://www.southsumterfire.org/?p=684

Whitfield Chief, Isaiah Steele opened the meeting with a reminder of why we celebrate this CHRISTmas season and asked the blessing. 

Chief Vaughan presents Cuba Fire Deparmtent’s Medal of Merit to Wykene Bell, Jr.

Kinterbish Firefighter Willie M. Scott was selected as South Sumter’s Firefighter of the year for 2010.  Many of our readers know him as K3. 

Siloam Asst. Chief Harry Hughes was selected as South Sumter Fire’s Officer of the year.  A top notch guy!  Many of the projects completed this year would not have been successful without Harry’s direction.

Siloam Chief Terry Pendergrass entertaining the crowd!

Ward Chief Rosemary Rew making comments on the progress made this year.

Chief Vaughan doing one of the things that he does best! 

 Special Thanks is due to the following:

Rindy Vaughan for her work on the movie and the peanut butter pie.

Janell Hughes for her tireless work to make things come together.

Faye DeLoach for her many deserts and always being willing to feed us!

Our many sponsors who provided door prizes. 

Siloam Tanker 1 rolled into the station this evening to replace the department’s 1970 tanker that has been in service for many years.  The new tanker was purchased with grant funding and will join the engine that is manned by Siloam, as well as the other engines and tankers in the South Sumter group.  The Ward Fire Department will be receiving this trucks twin in the next few weeks and the area will be served by three nearly identical tankers.  The new tankers will be responding from the Siloam, Whitfield and Ward Fire Stations.  The tanker at Siloam carries 2,500 gallons of water and has the ability to pump as well as drop its water in a drop tank on scene.  These tankers will provide a tremendous increase in the level of protection that is offered to the South Sumter area.  The sky is the limit for this area and we will be working hard this year to secure grant funding for other much needed items in the area. 

A special thanks to the crew from Tuscaloosa Fire Equipment…  As always a class act even if you let Tim work on things!

Members from all Sumter County departments met at the Bell Conference Center on the Campus of the University of West Alabama for the annual Christmas Banquet.  In addition to the normal business meeting and such, a meal was enjoyed by all members present.  The Association’s chief and firefighter of the year awards are also presented at this banquet.  One of South Sumter’s Chiefs won the fire chief of the year and a very deserving firefighter from Bellamy Fire Department received the top firefighter honor.  Both of these men have given tirelessly to their communities and we hope that they continue to serve for many more years to come. 

(L – R) – Bellamy Firefighter Cedric Bell (Deputy Sheriff Sumter County), SCVFFA President David T. Holder, Siloam Chief Terry Pendergrass