Life Members

Life Membership at the Varna Volunteer Fire Company is a prestigious honor bestowed upon members who have demonstrated significant dedication and/or service. Election to Life Membership occurs via vote at the annual election meeting in November, requiring approval of two-thirds of voting members present. By precedent, Life Membership is irrevocable once bestowed.

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Current Life Members:

Roy H. Rizzo

Elected Life:

Ranks Held: Chief (1961)

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Duane Testut

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Darren Miller

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Phil Arneson

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Chris Easton

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Patti Easton

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Paul Edwards

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Joan Guest

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John Reynolds

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Elmer Van Arkel

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Wendy Hoose

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Mason C. Jager

Elected Life: 2023

Ranks Held: Fire Captain (1981) | Deputy Chief (1962) | Chief (1961)

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Nikola Danev

Elected Life: 2023

Ranks Held: Asst. Chief for EMS (1964) | Deputy Chief (1962)

Year Joined: 2021

Significant Contributions:

Led efforts to gain department accreditation as an EMS agency.
Initiated recruitment from Cornell University, doubling department membership.
Advocated for bipartisan changes to NYS law to better support VVFC needs.
Launched our in-house CPR training program.
Expanded the department’s social media presence as Public Information Officer.
Authored the department’s first EMS Standard Operating Procedures.
Established electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR) procedures.

Erik Kirakosyan

Elected Life: 2024

Ranks Held: EMS T.O. | Asst. Chief for EMS (1964) | Deputy Chief (1962)

Year Joined: 2022

Significant Contributions:

Developed an EMS inventory management system and a Google Drive-based EMS training library.
Facilitated EMT and CFR recertification through Continuing Medical Education (CME) logs, as well as creating a renewal guide for membership.
Oversaw EMS chart quality assurance, including chart audits, member audits, and charting mentorship.
Planned and hosted a VVFC Summer Training Series.
Played a key role in establishing our Probationary Member Onboarding Training (PMOT) program.
Developed and implemented the department’s Just Culture system, leading to VVFC winning the New York State Department of Health’s Innovation Award for Organizational Innovation in 2024.

Former Life Members: Brann, James | Briggs, Jack | Carter, Bill | Case, Harold | Clark, Bill | Cornelius, Lloyd | Crissey, Bill | Gates, Paul | Griffin, Fred | Guest, George | Guest, Joan | Habicht, Oliver | Kellogg, Robert | Munch, Francis (Bud) | Myers, William (Bill) | Reynolds, Richard | Robinson, Todd | Sapp, Harold | Schaufler, Ernie | Szymanski, Ted | Wurzel, Frank

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