The annual Hyattsville Public Safety Awards banquet was held at Martin's Crosswinds in Greenbelt on Saturday, February 25th honoring the best and brightest from the fire and police departments that serve the citizens of Hyattsville and surrounding communities.

The Hyattsville VFD has been joined by the City of Hyattsville Police and Hyattsville Fraternal Order of Police for over a decade now in this joint annual awards program celebrating a successful and safe year in 2011. Nearly 200 people from both organizations as well as honored guests attended this year's event.

HVFD Member of the Year Jimmy Butler

The program was MC'd this year by Dave Statter and his wife Hillary Howard. Statter is the most popular fire service blogger nationally. A former television reporting covering public safety for WUSA (CBS), he now also works with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Howard is the afternoon drive-time anchor for top-rated WTOP Radio and was recently named as the new host of the long-running "It's Academic" high school quiz show program. Thanks to Dave and Hillary for a great job.

The HVFD would like to extend our thanks to Company 14, Berwyn Heights, and Co. 12, College Park, for filling in for the evening to allow our membership to enjoy the evening together. As has happened many times in the past, the fill-in crew responded to numerous incidents including a significant house fire on 18th Avenue in Adelphi with Truck 1.

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MCs Dave Statter and Hillary Howard

HVFD Awards for 2011 Calendar Year

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

In 2011, the HVFD started a new tradition of recognizing members for significant years of continuous active service to the department. This year, one member is being recognized for 30 years. A community member who also was a live-in member for some time in the 1980's, this member has responded to tens of thousands of responses in his HVFD career that has included being a master driver, officer and engineer. But, he is best known for his dedication to taking care of our aging building and of course ensuring everyone keeps their feet of the furniture. This year we are pleased to recognize Charles Harvey for 30 years of service to the HVFD.

TOP RESPONDERS

The top live-in responders: Joshua Murphy (the top overall responder), Dan Leyden, Pat Williams, William Price and Matt Lauria.

The top local responders: Ian Kolmaister, Chris Evans, Josh Miller, Matt Davy, Dillon Huss, Jimmy Butler and Abby Schreider.

MOST IMPROVED MEMBER NAMED IN HONOR LAWRENCE A. "POP" WATSON

The most improved member goes to an HVFD volunteer who has displayed measurable improvement within the fire department in an operational and/or administrative capacity to further fire department ideals. This year's winner, a live-in member, has taken an expanded role in supporting the HVFD's fleet, the station and continues to add responsibilities as an apparatus driver. This year's Most Improved Member of is Dan Leyden.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR NAMED IN HONOR OF FRANCIS X. GEARY

The rookie of the year has less than 18 months fire department experience at the end of the year, displaying enthusiasm and initiative to learn. This year's winner embodies all of that and more. Coming from a family with a great fire service history, this member comes right from the Hyattsville community joining us while still attending DeMatha Catholic High School. He's always willing to learn and is the first one to jump up for drills, get proficient in everything operationally and getting turned over. This fall he followed the footsteps of other local members who joined while in high school and moved into the firehouse. This year's Rookie of the Year is Pat Williams.

EMS MEMBER OF THE YEAR

The last year has been a big one for EMS at the HVFD, with the launching of our Paramedic Ambulance program in 2012 and all the work that went into that for many members and the leadership in 2011. The continued expansion of EMS in the future will ensure the Hyattsville community has the best fire, rescue and EMS service available around the clock through its volunteers. The EMS Member of the Year award goes to a member who takes advantage of training opportunities, excels in EMS operation and skills and projects a positive attitude in EMS activities. With so much growth in EMS this year everyone should be proud of the department's accomplishments, but one member was selected by his peers for 2011 for his constant dedication to support the department, stepping up his role on both the fire and EMS side, provide considerable EMS staffing during the summer months and holidays allowing others to take a break and more. He's responsible, professional and consistent; this year's EMS Member of the Year is Ian Kolmaister.

FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR NAMED IN HONOR OF ALAN P. SONDEJ

The HVFD's Firefighter of the Year award goes to a member, selected by his/her peers who takes advantage of new training opportunities, excels in firefighting operations and projects a positive attitude in fire department operational activities. This year's winner has really stepped ap his dedication to training and experience in the last year, taking multiple new fire and rescue courses, become more proficient in all aspects of HVFD operations and more. And he is among the top responders of the department. This year's Firefighter of the Year is William Price.

The HVFD's Chris Evans accepts the first annual Hyattsville Heroes Bowl Award from the Hyattsville Fraternal Order of Police, from the flag football game between the fire and police departments in December that raised thousands of dollars for charity.

HVFD SPIRIT AWARD

This new award recognizes the member selected by his/her peers for displaying exceptional overall pride in the company, publicly supporting and advocating for the HVFD. This year's award is no surprise to anyone, as this member excels in spreading the love about the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department. This year's Spirit Award goes to Chris Evans.

CHIEF'S AWARD NAMED IN HONOR OF CHIEF CHARLES DiVINCENZO

This year's Chief's Award, presented by Chief Dave Hang, was awarded to Chris Evans for his selfless dedication to the department on the operational side of the organization.

PRESIDENT'S AWARDS

Two President's Awards were presented this year by Dave Iannone. The first was given to Chris Evans for his significant involvement in new recruitment & retention programs rolled out in 2011. The second was awarded to LaKeta Coates for her efforts to raise considerable funds from the local business community of Hyattsville for the 2011 HVFD Five-Mile Run.

MEMBER OF THE YEAR NAMED IN HONOR OF CHIEF EMERITUS DONALD "DOC" MOLTRUP

The HVFD's Member of the Year, selected by his/her peers, has devoted many hours of activities, maintained duty shifts, made a positive impact on the station, company and apparatus and actively participates in and supports all aspects of the department. This year's winner was the HVFD's "go to" guy in 2011. He is always available, playing a key role in the specifications and placing in service of our new engine in 2011 -- the first new pumper in 20 years and is presently working on the same to replace our EMS fleet. He's spent countless hours supporting many aspects of the department over the last year. The 2011 Member of the Year is Jimmy Butler.

The annual Hyattsville Public Safety Awards banquet was held at Martin's in Greenbelt.