The Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department held its 25th
annual Awards Banquet Saturday evening at the Interstate Parkway
Fire Station.

Bob Eliason was recognized as the 2006 Firefighter of the Year
and the 2006 Bradford Rotary Club Firefighter of the Year.

Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Martin Henneman was the guest
speaker for the event. Henneman is the Crime Unit Supervisor at the
Kane barracks and also serves as a fire marshal and works closely
with all the fire departments in McKean County.

Henneman spoke of major cases he has worked on during the past
year, including the manhunt and capture of fugitive Ralph “Bucky”
Phillips.

Meanwhile, service awards were presented to Jack Carns for 30
years; George Abers, Amado Cota-Robles and Ed Hayden for 15 years;
and Tim Burkhouse and Dave Kelly for five years.

Amanda Wright received the annual Outstanding Service Award for
a social member while Earl Wright received the annual Outstanding
Service Award for a firefighter.

Truck committee members Rick Brocius, Earl Wright, Dave Farrell,
Jeff Valerius, Dan Burkhouse, Bob Eliason and Steve Abers were also
recognized for their efforts in developing specifications for the
new fire engine that was recently purchased by the department.

More than 100 members and guests attended the banquet.