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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. Life Membership is irrevocable once bestowed.
Phil Arneson
Phil Arneson
Elected Life: Ranks Held: Year Joined: Significant Contributions:
Roy H. Rizzo
Roy H. Rizzo
Elected Life: Ranks Held: Fire Chief (1961)Year Joined: Significant Contributions:
Duane Testut
Duane Testut
Elected Life: Ranks Held: Year Joined: Significant Contributions:
Darren Miller
Darren Miller
Elected Life: Ranks Held: Year Joined: Significant Contributions:
Chris Easton
Chris Easton
Elected Life: Ranks Held: Year Joined: Significant Contributions:
Patti Easton
Patti Easton
Elected Life: Ranks Held: Year Joined: Significant Contributions:
Paul Edwards
Paul Edwards
Elected Life: Ranks Held: Year Joined: Significant Contributions:
Joan Guest
Joan Guest
Elected Life: Ranks Held: Year Joined: Significant Contributions:
Charles William Crissey
Charles William Crissey
Elected Life: Ranks Held: Year Joined: Significant Contributions:
John Reynolds
John Reynolds
Elected Life: Ranks Held: Year Joined: Significant Contributions:
Wendy Hoose
Wendy Hoose
Elected Life: Ranks Held: Year Joined: Significant Contributions:
Mason C. Jager
Mason C. Jager
Elected Life: 2023Ranks Held: Fire Captain (1981), Deputy Chief (1962), Fire Chief (1961)Year Joined: 2021Significant Contributions:
Nikola Danev
Nikola Danev
Elected Life: 2023Ranks Held: Asst. Chief for EMS (1964), Deputy Chief (1962)Year Joined: 2021Significant 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.
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
Erik Kirakosyan
Elected Life: 2024Ranks Held: EMS Training Officer, Asst. Chief for EMS (1964), Deputy Chief (1962)Year Joined: 2022Significant 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 Oversaw EMS chart quality assurance, including chart audits, member audits, and charting mentorship. 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.
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 Oversaw EMS chart quality assurance, including chart audits, member audits, and charting mentorship. 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.
Jesse Kapstad
Jesse Kapstad
Elected Life: Ranks Held: Year Joined: Significant Contributions:
Deceased Life Members
Deceased Life Members
Brann, James | Briggs, Jack | Carter, Bill | Case, Harold | Clark, Bill | Cornelius, Lloyd | 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 | Van Arkel, Elmer | Wurzel, Frank
Brann, James | Briggs, Jack | Carter, Bill | Case, Harold | Clark, Bill | Cornelius, Lloyd | 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 | Van Arkel, Elmer | Wurzel, Frank
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