Fire Department Awards Members

The along with the and city officials Saturday evening recognized Hyattsville's finest at the annual Public Safety Awards Banquet at Martin's in Greenbelt.

Attendees paused for a moment of remembrance for Members of Hook's family, including his future-firefighter son Tommy, 11, attended this year's event. Hook, who was a member of the HVFD for 10 years this month, was posthumously awarded Life Membership at the ceremony, said HVFD President Dave Iannone.

The HVFD gave out several special legacy awards. Jonathan A. Ransom and Carole Moltrup were presented with 30-year service honors and Donald "Doc" Moltrup was recognized for topping 50 years of service this year. Moltrup was presented with a customized helmet to commemorate the milestone.

Ransom, the longest serving HVFD president, and Moltrup, Chief Emeritus, were
given the night's highest recognition.

"The two were honored for pulling the department through an extremely tough period following the line of duty death of Alan P. Sondej in 1988," Iannone said in an email. "At one point, the organization was teetering on the brink of going away,. But in the early 1990s, Ransom and Moltrup together worked to revive the department."

A combination of increased funding from charitable gaming, a change up to the helped the HVFD reinvent itself within a few years.

"Their efforts ensured our long term financial and organizational stability, allowing us to provide significant volunteer fire, rescue, EMS and fire prevention services to the community through the present and beyond," Iannone said.

The best of 2010 awards were given to:

• EMS of the Year: Laketa Coates;

• Firefighter of the Year: Nik Zupancic;

• Most Improved Member: Lawler Whiteman;

• Rookie of the Year: Rachel Welter;

• Chief's Awards: Mitchell Kannry; and

• President's Award: Bill Moran.

The Member of the Year award for 2010 went to Chris Evans for his personal dedication and involvement in many facets of the department, Iannone said.

Individual awards, except the chief's and president's awards, are
voted on by the membership.

Immediate Past President Matt Davy was recognized for his five years in the role.
Under Davy's leadership the HVFD was able to secure over $800,000 in federal grants and replace the majority of its aging fleet. He twice was honored as Member of the Year and was frequently the top non-live-in responder, Iannone said. Mayor William Gardiner presented Davy with a proclamation for his service.

The department presented Gardiner, who is not seeking re-election, with a special award for his support.

"During his time as mayor, support and funding from the city to the department increased as we grew a much stronger relationship together," Iannone said.