BRATTLEBORO — The Brattleboro Fire Department honored firefighters April 21 for their years of service to the department and community.
The department awarded recently retired Fire Alarm Superintendent Dale Shipp with the department's Life Membership award.
Shipp, who served the department 39 years, was the fire alarm superintendent. He maintained, organized, repaired, and upgraded the town's municipal fire alarm system, which consists of more than 25 miles of cable and 290 alarm boxes, as well as the town's traffic lights.
He also has acted as the town communications officer in emergencies and maintained the fire department's radio system.
Firefighters who serve 20 or more years and leave the department in good standing are eligible for the award.
Deputy Chief Steve Nelson received a service award for his 35 years.
According to Fire Chief Michael Bucossi, Nelson joined the call force in 1978 and the career force in 1980. In 2007, he retired from the career force to take a position at the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon, but has remained active in the department.
Nelson received an earlier commendation for rescuing two children from a smoke-filled second floor apartment. Bucossi said that Nelson rescued the first child, then re-entered the building, where he found the second child unconscious in another bedroom.
The children were taken to Children's Hospital in Boston, where they recovered, said Bucossi.
Five Year Awards went to Dive Team Member Eric Davis and firefighters Michael Heiden, Matthew Hubbard, Henry Scott, and Paul Sherburne.
Firefighters Adam Fletcher and Rusty Sage, along with Lt. Charles Keir III, received recognition for 10 years of service.
Firefighter Daniel Hiner received an award for 15 years of service.
Firefighter Allyn Olney, Lt. Mark Geno, and Capt. Leonard Howard were honored for 25 years of service.
Lt. Martin Rancourt and Capt. Gary Corey were honored for 30 years of service.