February 12, 2026 – Members of the Bauerstown Volunteer Fire Department gathered Thursday evening for their monthly meeting, followed by a celebration marking 114 years of dedicated service to the community. The evening began with opening remarks from the Fire Chief, who presented his annual report to active, social, and life members in attendance. The Chief highlighted a record-breaking year in 2025, with 455 calls for service, and expressed appreciation for the hard work and commitment shown by the membership, encouraging continued dedication into 2026. The Vice President followed with updates and remarks from the executive side of the department.

The celebration continued with an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding service and commitment. Bill Pierce was honored as Top Call Runner, while Josh Chechak received recognition for Most Training Hours. Jonathan Mastandrea earned both Junior Top Call Runner and Junior Most Training Hours awards. The Robert “Bob” Klinefelter Award, established in memory of a dedicated member and presented annually to an individual who consistently goes above and beyond for the department, was awarded this year to Tony Ahern. Service milestones were also recognized, with Jim Tunstall Sr. receiving a 20-year service award and Life Membership, and Bob Jazbinsek honored for an extraordinary 50 years of service. The evening concluded with members viewing the department’s year-end video and sharing a meal, with special thanks extended to Bob Wolfinger of Il Pizzaiolo for generously providing dinner. The department’s 2026 officers were also announced and are featured in the accompanying images.