Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward MageeNews.com a small commission – at no extra cost to you.
The annual Magee Volunteer Fire Department banquet was held Thursday night, October 17th at Berry’s Seafood in Magee.
Active and non active firemen were present along with their wives and special guest.
Chief Lane Steele welcomed everyone and expressed his gratitude to the firemen for their dedication. Lane always credits the early firemen for paving the way for the success of our department. Lane says the red carpet was laid many years ago by our members…and now we must walk on it to success.
Fireman David Craft conducted the Memorial Service. An old firemen’s boot is placed on the table and roses are added to the arrangement. The Yellow roses represent law enforcement and fallen firefighters across the county and the victims of 9/11. An orange rose was placed in the boot in memory and honor of our own Dustin Grubbs who was killed in November of 2018 on the way to a fire call.
Chaplin James Fortenberry gave the invocation.
Following the meal, Chief Steele recognized Mayor Dale Berry and Alderwoman Whitney Baker who were in attendance representing the City of Magee. Supervisor Danny Craft and Chancery Clerk Tommy Joe Harvey were in attendance representing County government.
Each year, the firemen present their wife or friend with a red rose in appreciation for their patience and support.
Philip Magee and Shane Steele reported on the training hours and certificates awarded for the past year.
Total training hours for the Magee Fire Department this year was 382 in-house hours.
Certificates were presented to the firemen who participated in the Chevron training which was a total of 48 hours. 1,3354 hours were secured at the Mississippi Fire Academy. Total hours for outside training was 1,784 or 68.7 hours per man.
Karl Van Horn, MSFA instructor, presented the following certifications: Apparatus Pump Operator, Pump Operator, Inspector Level 1, Inspector Level 11, Volunteer Level 1, Volunteer Level 11, HazMat A&O, Volunteer 1001 Based Certificates.
For the year 2018-2019, 140 fire calls were answered with 624 man hours or 24 hours per fireman.
Firemen who responded to 50% and up of the calls: Phillip Allan, Shane Little, Patrick Zila, David Craft, Reuben Koehn, Michael Allan, Shane Steele, Phillip Magee (92%) and Lane Steele (99 %).
Firemen who attended 75% or better of the meetings: B. J. Smith, Michael Allan, Reuben Koehn, Patrick Zila, Shane Little, Phillip Allan, and David Craft. Three firemen attended 100% of the meetings: Mark Parker, Phillip Magee, and Chief Lane Steel. Actually, Lane missed one meeting this year due to a doctor’s appointment…that is the first meeting he has missed in 31 years!
Lane was presented his 35 year pin with the Magee Fire Department.
Firemen who attended at least 50% of the meetings and fire calls: Patrick Zila, Reuben Koehn, Michael Allan, Shane Little, Shane Steele, David Craft, Lane Steele, and Phillip Magee.
Fireman Shane Little, the 2018 Fireman of the Year, presented the award for 2019 Fireman of the Year to Reuben Koehn. (See video below)
Chief Lane Steele thanked everyone for attending the banquet and again expressed appreciation to his “men.”
Members of the Magee Fire Department: James Ott, Reuben Kohen, Tommy Horan, Patrick Zila, Kory Smith, Mark Parker, Weston Neely, Mike Chafin, Aaron Burkett, James Clayburn, Vance Hamilton, Bobby Toney, Chris Nichols, and BJ Smith.
Officers of the Fire Department: James Fortenberry, Chaplain; Charlie Valadie, Fire Marshal; Phillip Allan, Secretary Treasurer; John Hosey, Parliamentarian; Shane Steel, Rescue Lt; Michael Allan, Lt. 2; Chris Tuggle, Lt 1; Shane Little, Rescue Captain; David Craft, Captain 2; Tomy Puckett, Captain 1; Phillip Magee, Assistant Chief; and Lane Steele, Chief.
