By Melanie Lekocevic
Capital Region Independent Media
BETHLEHEM — Area first responders were honored during the annual National Night Out last Tuesday hosted by the Bethlehem Police Department.
Fire departments, police, EMS and telecommunication workers celebrated their own during the service held at Elm Avenue Park on Aug. 6.
The Selkirk Fire Department named as its Firefighter of the Year longtime volunteer Joseph G. Keller, Sr., who has been an active member of the department since 1961, serving for an astonishing 63 years.
Over the years, Keller has held many leadership positions in the department, beginning in 1963, when he did a two-year stint as the department’s 3rd assistant chief, followed by 2nd assistant chief from 1966 to 1968, and then chief for four years, between 1969 and 1973.
In 1988, Keller was named vice president of the department, and for 15 years he was a commissioner on the department’s Board of Fire Commissioners. In 1994, he was named chairman of the board and remained in that post until 2009.
Former Ravena firefighter Tyler Searles was named Slingerlands Firefighter of the Year. Searles was the lieutenant-captain in the Ravena Fire Department before moving to the area, Slingerlands Fire Chief Craig Sleurs said.
And when he did, Searles brought a lot of knowledge and experience with him, according to Sleurs.
“He has been an asset to us. He made a lot of changes that we accepted and put into place, and a lot of other departments are looking at what he has done,” Sleurs said. “He comes to us with a lot of knowledge.”
Searles is also a standout volunteer because of his eagerness to continue training in various aspects of the department.
One award recipient at Tuesday’s event has brought his knowledge and skills across the globe. The EMS Person of the Year for Delmar-Bethlehem EMS is Jeremy Scher, who volunteered for two weeks with an Israeli ambulance corps, providing lifesaving care to people near the Gaza border.
He has done the same for the local area for years, Chief Steven Kroll said.
“Jeremy dedicates hundreds of hours to being on call for the ambulance squad each year,” Kroll said. “He was on call for more than 300 hours in 2023 and responded to more than a hundred EMS calls since Jan. 1 of 2023. He goes the extra mile for his community… Jeremy sets a professional example as the kind of EMT you would like coming to your house if you are having an emergency.”
The Bethlehem Police Department bestowed a new award this year — Telecommunicator of the Year. In its inaugural year, the award went to Melissa “Missy” Powell. Police Chief Gina Cocchiara said the award was created to honor individual contributions and to highlight the important role of telecommunications professionals in public safety.
“Throughout Missy’s career, she has exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, dedication and service to our community,” Cocchiara said. “She has demonstrated remarkable skill and confidence in handling challenging and high-stress situations, always maintaining composure, and delivering efficient communication under pressure while ensuring safety and well-being for both colleagues and community members.”
Cocchiara also presented the Police Officer of the Year award to Officer Rico Fiore for his “commitment to excellence and unwavering integrity.”
Other awards handed out included Delmar Firefighter of the Year to Todd Silvernail and Terry Hannigan as Elsmere’s Firefighter of the Year, among others.
