Henry C. Warrington Award Acknowledgement

The Henry C. Warrington Award is considered a prestigious honor within the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company and is intended to emphasize the characteristics that Henry C. portrayed within our community while representing the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company. Henry was a person who was always there to teach and mentor a younger person and bestow upon them his knowledge, skills and abilities. With respect to this year’s nominee – Henry’s jovial personality towards some was past down as well. Henry always enjoyed taking the stroll down memory lane to highlight the milestones that the company and its members had achieved as a brotherhood. Henry was always considerate of his true feelings towards other. Henry was active in the volunteer fire service until the end and never missed the opportunity to enjoy the fellowship with his brother firefighter.

This year’s nominee also takes time to embrace camaraderie and regularly joins us to reminisce during the after scene size up back at the fire station. This nominee is truly compassionate with respect to a member’s feelings and capabilities. Tonight, this award is intended to highlight the accomplishments and dedication of an active firefighter who has contributed endless amounts of assistance, guidance and devotion to the community for which he now resides and has parlayed approximately 8 ½ years of “actively participating” volunteer fire service within the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company and approximately an additional 45 years of volunteer fire service prior to relocating to our community. This nominee participates in activities of the company on a regular, day to day, basis – including elected and appointed positions and is a “superior” apparatus diagnostician for repair and maintenance of vehicle company vehicles and vessels. This nominee is 80 years old and is among the top three percent “actively participating” volunteer of every incident of the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company for the past 8 years. This year’s recipient has held various administrative operating positions like Board of Director, and Committee Membership assignments (Membership, Fundraising, and Ways & Means); as well as fire line operating positions of Chief Engineer, Assistant Chief Engineer, and Engineer. The recipient was applied for membership in November, 2001 after having what is referred to as “…forty-five years of commendable service with other volunteer fire companies prior to joining Indian River Volunteer Fire Company; and has been and continues to be a hard-working, dedicated and diligent member and friend of the volunteer fire service…” Remember the characteristics of Henry C. Warrington:

• An active and dedicated volunteer firefighter;

• A devoted and diligent public servant;

• A friend of many in the volunteer firefighter service;

• A confidante to those aspiring to fulfill leadership positions in the company.

• A mentor to those aspiring to keep company vehicles and vessels in top notch operating shape as well as always ready for service

Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to introduce the 2009 Recipient of the Henry C. Warrington Award as our comrade, brother firefighter and a true friend!

Please join me in recognizing – James R. Wagner.