It was a night of good food, conversation and some kudos.
The annual Escalon Consolidated Fire Protection District Appreciation Dinner was staged on Friday night, April 26 at the Azores Band Hall in Escalon. Starting with a social time at 6:30 p.m., a welcome was offered by Fire Chief Rick Mello about 7 p.m., followed by a prayer and then the serving of a catered dinner.
On hand for the festivities were members of the Fire District’s Board of Directors, Chairperson Joe Camara, Jason Koops, Mickey Schilber, Zach Hogan and Steven Gregg. Several department members were on hand as well, in addition to honored guests that included both San Joaquin County Sheriff Pat Withrow – a resident of Escalon – and San Joaquin County Supervisor Robert Rickman, who represents Escalon on the county board. Longtime supporters of the department, Glenn and Terri Van Ruler, attended and were the recipients of a plaque recognizing them for Honorary Membership in the department for “ongoing support and encouragement.”
In making the presentation, Fire Chief Mello noted that the honor was originally to be bestowed at the 2023 dinner, but the couple was unable to attend.
“So we kept it under wraps for a year,” the chief said.
Battalion Chiefs for the department are Dan Morriss, Joe Pelot and Moe Silva; Engineers are Cassidy Bohannon, Ryan Burr and Dave Velasco.
Reserve firefighters include Mark Bennett, Jonathan Boudreaux, Giavanni Brunetti, Jennifer Cannon, Kaden Christensen, Dylan Criteser, Samuel Medlin, Adam Michael, Nicholas Nava, Nathan Rodriguez and Robert Vierra. Administrative Assistant is Katy House. Both House and Morriss were named as recipients of five-year service pins; House was in attendance to accept hers, and also received a legislative proclamation highlighting her work on behalf of the department. Morriss was unable to attend.
Supervisor Rickman, who recently won re-election to the county board for another term, has been a strong advocate for the department, Mello said in offering him the microphone to make a few remarks.
“Escalon is a great community,” Rickman said, noting that he is glad the county has been able to come through with some funding and helped secure some grants to aid the department with equipment purchases and project needs.
“That’s the least that we can do as elected officials,” he told the firefighters in attendance, “to make sure that you guys go home safe, make sure you have the equipment that you need to do your job and protect our community, so thank you and your families; we appreciate it.”
Sheriff Withrow also addressed the crowd, explaining that he and his wife have lived in Escalon since 1996 and raised their family here.
“It’s a special relationship between law enforcement and fire,” noted Withrow, also thanking the firefighters. “You guys are always there to help us, to bail us out, patch us up when we get hurt … we love it when you guys show up. We, too, are blessed to have Supervisor Rickman and the rest of the (county) board, so supportive of public safety. It’s not that way across the state so we are really, really blessed in our county.”
The evening concluded with the Board of Directors members overseeing the drawing of tickets and handing out multiple prizes to attendees, donated by local businesses, individuals and organizations.
