Versailles VFD ends 2010 as the busiest fire station in the county

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security has announced that the Versailles Volunteer Fire Department was again the busiest station in Ripley County in 2010, according to information from Ben Sieverding, chief.

Statistics provided from the department are as follows:

• 422 responses

• 1909.41 man hours logged on emergency incidents

• 1465 training man hours

• 6 minutes and 49 seconds average response time for 2010

The all volunteer department takes great pride in the hours they accumulate and the efforts they put forth to make their community a better place.

At their annual election of officers and organizational meeting for 2011, the business officers for the upcoming year were named. They are: James Vest, president; Adam Hunger, vice-president; Gary Back, treasurer; Brian Jackson, secretary; and Jeremy Moore and Dwight Bauman, board members.
Line officers for 2011 are: Chief Ben Sieverding, Assistant Chief James Vest, Captain, Chuck Gunter, Captain Alex Hafft, Captain Adam Hunger, Lt. Dwight Bauman, Lt. Randy Hornsby, and Lt. Matt Wright.

During the Annual Awards Banquet, held recently at Crossroads Restaurant, the department recognized firefighters for their efforts this past year.

Top responders for 2010 and their number of responses were:

Gary Back, 75; Chuck Gunter, 78; Brian Jackson, 79; James Vest, 149; Matt Wright, 181; Bryan Buchanan, 194; Randy Hornsby, 273; Ben Sieverding, 302.

Firefighters who have completed one year of service were: Brian Jackson, Josh Cumberworth, Bryan Buchanan, and Robbie Cole.

Alex Hafft was recognized for five years of service, and Chuck Gunter for ten years of service.
James Vest was honored as the recipient of the 2010 Chief’s Award and the 2010 Firefighter of the Year was Bryan Buchanan.

The department currently has a roster of 26 volunteers. If you are interested in serving your community as a volunteer firefighter, stop by the Versailles station located on US 421 or call 689-5222.

SUBMTTED PHOTO Pictured from left, Versailles Volunteer Fire Department Chief Ben Sieverding, Bryan Buchanan, holding his Firefighter of the Year Award, and James Vest, after he was given the Chief's Award at the fire company's annual election of officers. Vest was also named president for the upcoming year.