The past couple of Saturdays have been well spent in celebrating area departments’ firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).

Some of these organizations have been at their life-preserving work for a long time.

The Kenbridge Fire Department (KFD), which held its annual banquet Saturday, was established in 1908, according to Chief Richard “Dickie” Harris.

On Saturday, Jan. 19, Meherrin Volunteer Fire & Rescue held its banquet and awarded its firefighters and EMTs. The event marked the department’s 65th year of delivering fire service and 20th year of providing Emergency Medical Services.

I want to highlight these departments for their faithfulness over the decades. It takes a lot of work to maintain continuous service like that, including fundraising, purchasing of equipment, equipment management, consistent recruitment of personnel, consistent training of that personnel and more. This all involves not only a great deal of effort and energy but also a substantial amount of time. All the sacrifices and risks involved are more than worthy of the recognition afforded by the awards banquets held by these departments.

Among the award winners at the KFD banquet, Ferrell Alder was named Officer of the Year and was awarded for responding to the most calls in 2018 — 91. Bobby Oakes was named Firefighter of the Year.

Among the award winners at the Meherrin Fire & Rescue banquet, Trey Pyle was recognized for outstanding service, Sally Pyle won EMT of the Year and J.R. Newman won Firefighter of the Year and the J.T. Newman Training Award.

Titus Mohler is the sports editor for The K-V Dispatch and Farmville Newsmedia LLC. His email address is Titus. Mohler@KVDispatch. com.