November 15, 2025 — The Califon Fire Company hosted its annual awards dinner this past Saturday, bringing members, families, and supporters together for an evening of recognition, appreciation, and celebration.

The department extended sincere thanks to everyone who attended and offered special recognition to outgoing Chief Bill Kibler for his dedicated service and leadership. Members also congratulated AJ Ader, who was named Firefighter of the Year for 2025 in recognition of outstanding commitment and performance.

Several members were honored for significant years-of-service milestones, reflecting decades of dedication to the community:

• Ex-Chief Jeff Hoffman — 40 years
• Mike Handy — 20 years
• John Kostick — 15 years
• Zak Bergmann — 5 years
• Derek Howarth — 5 years

Department leadership praised the honorees for their loyalty, professionalism, and continued service, noting that the strength of the organization is built on the commitment of its members across every generation.