KVFD’s 2025 Award Recipients

At this year’s Kensington Volunteer Fire Department Banquet on April 28th, 2026, we had the opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of our volunteers, officers, and community partners whose dedication and service continue to strengthen our department and support our community. Congratulations to all of our 2025 award recipients!

Robert P. Lynch Length of Service Awards Named for long-time KVFD member Robert Lynch, these awards recognize continuing service to the department, beginning with Five Years of Service and continuing in five-year increments.

Recipients:

Wayne Rogers — 5 years
Alessandra Youth — 5 years
Joe Redmon — 5 years
Spencer Mical — 5 years
Amanda King — 10 years
Glenn Fitzpatrick — 10 years
Michael Gorinson — 10 years
Sunny Raspet — 15 years
Pedro Carvalho — 15 years
Ernesto Moretti — 35 years

Arthur M. Hawkins Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame exists to honor long-serving members who have made significant contributions to KVFD throughout their time with the department. In 2022, this award was named after 61-year member Chief Arthur Hawkins.

Recipients:

Andrew Stowe
David Breitman

Life Membership Recognition

Each year at the annual awards ceremony, we recognize those members who have obtained “Life Membership” since the previous year’s ceremony. Life Members have completed 10 years of LOSAP and must be voted in by the members of KVFD.

Life Member Gold Card:

Natalie Rudolph

Lynn Tantardini 25 Year LOSAP Axe

Recipient:

Marcine Goodloe

Top Responders

Awards that recognize members who have responded to the most incidents with KVFD in the previous calendar year.

Call Total: Live-In Responders

Joe Redmon – 807 calls
Max Miebach – 236 calls
Maria Ale – 200 calls

Call Totals: Non-Live-In Responders

David An – 324 calls
Thomas Youth – 299 calls
James Bennett – 291 calls
Marco Troiano – 237 calls
Christophe Marchand – 222 calls

Unit & Individual Citations

Unit Citation #1: Dupont Avenue ALS Call

A705 B:

Brainton Song
Sander Becker
Victor Carvalho
Ben Herron

E705:

Thomas Youth
Marsha Aranguez
Eric Cary

Unit Citation #2: August 1, 2025 – Cushing Drive ALS Call

A705:

Joe Redmon
Emely Cardona
Ethan Holst
Kate Mason

E705:

James Bennett
Ben Burnett
Marsha Aranguez
Ben Herron

Unit Citation #3: December 29, 2025 – Cardiac Arrest Call on Knowles Avenue

A705:

Sandra Araujo
Christope Marchand
Natalie Rudolph

PE705:

David Breitman
Veronica Melgar
Marco Troiano
Josh Strenger
Lorena Matus

Circle of Excellence

The annual Circle of Excellence pays tribute to a group of KVFD members who we rely on to provide solid, consistent, and professional day-to-day service throughout the previous year. These are members who may not have won other awards, but without whom the department would struggle to maintain the level of service that is expected by the community we serve.

Recipients:

Marco Troiano
Andrew Stowe
Max Miebach
Traci Rudolph
Maria Ale

Fire Chief’s Award

An award to honor a member that the Fire Chief has recognized for outstanding efforts or particular accomplishments in service to the chief, the chief’s staff or the operations division in general.

Recipient: Alessandra Breen

KVFD Auxiliary Award

Award honoring members of the KVFD Auxiliary for their service. Determined by the KVFD Auxiliary.

Recipient: Danielle Thomas

George F. Herbold President’s Award

An award to honor a member that the President has recognized for outstanding efforts or particular accomplishments in service to the president, the president’s office or the department in general.

Recipient: Wayne Rogers

Mohamed Fofanah Probationary Member of the Year

Named in memory of the late Mohamed Fofanah, this award goes to an operational member who demonstrated outstanding efforts or notable accomplishments as a Probationary Member in the previous year.

Recipient: Sebastian Claure

Donald R. Bourque Training Award

Named in memory of the late Donald R. Bourque, this award honors a member who exemplified himself/herself in one or more training activities or initiatives in the previous year, either as a trainee or a trainer.

Recipient: Adam Bearne

Outstanding Service Award

Awarded to a member for outstanding efforts, accomplishments or acts that are not recognized elsewhere in the award program, but that rise to a level that such honor is war.

Recipient: Clark Oliver

Administrative Member of the Year

Awarded to a member who demonstrated outstanding service or notable accomplishments in administrative work and activities during the previous year.

Recipient: Kasey Merrey

Officer of the Year

Awarded to a member who demonstrated outstanding service or notable accomplishments as an EMS or Fire Officer during the previous year.

Recipient: David An

EMS Member of the Year

Awarded to a member who demonstrated outstanding service or notable accomplishments in EMS work during the previous year.

Recipient: Alessandra Breen

Firefighter of the Year

Awarded to a member who demonstrated outstanding service or notable accomplishments in firefighting during the previous year.