The Kenneth E. Mc Nary Achievement Award evolved in February of 1990 following the celebration and recognition of Ken McNary's extraordinary achievement of 60 years of active service to the Elsmere Fire Co. A, Inc.

Ken is currently an Exempt Member of the Fire Company.

The award was developed by the Recruitment and Retention Committee comprised of six members representing various areas of responsibility within the Fire District and Fire Company. The committee consisted of Chairman and President Stephen R. Wright, Assistant Chief Edward J. Costigan, Commissioner James B. Hogan, Commissioner Wayne R. Johnson, Lieutenant Peter G. Merrill, and Lieutenant Richard C. Watt. Within this committee was established the criteria and level of dedication and accomplishment which should be followed and adhered to in the determination of future recipients of this award.

In general, the award is presented to an individual whose performance best exemplifies the characteristics of Dedication, Professionalism, and Concern for fellow firefighters as well as maintaining the spirit of the Elsmere Fire Company by exhibiting a level of high standards and commitment to the Fire Company and Community.

The Kenneth E. McNary Award - 2007

The Kenneth E. McNary Award - 2006

This year's award goes to a member who has served both the fire line and civil line in various capabilities. Joining the Fire Company in 1977 he wasted no time in serving the company. Beginning with the position of secretary in 1978. In 1982, 1983, and 1984 he served as the Fire Company Treasurer. He was then elected to a three year term as director followed by another three year term as director. In 1992 he moved from the company line to the fire line where he served as fire Lieutenant in 1992 and again in 1993. He is a life member who has taken many firematic course including hazmat operations, hazmat tech and confined space awareness.

In his professional capacity he assisted the fire district with acquisition and survey for the Feura Bush Road property, the new garage and parking agreements and space with St. Stephens Church. He also assisted the district with 2 renovation projects over the years. He has helped many friends and Elsmere members with technical issues and surveys for their property.

With his recent retirement from the town of Bethlehem he was recognized for his involvement with many significant projects over the years such as bike pathways and new sidewalks. He contributed to many highway improvements over the years and worked to correct drainage problems throughout the town of Bethlehem.

He has helped many chiefs and officers over the years with advice on preplanning issues and firefighting as it relates to the towns hydrant system and water supply. And he also helped to develop the district boundary and membership map. His wife is a past president of the Elsmere Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, his daughter is also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary and son in law is president of Selkirk Fire Company Station 2.

The 2006 Kenneth E. McNary Award goes to Michael Cirillo

The Kenneth E. McNary Award - 2005

This year's award is presented to an individual whose performance best exemplifies the characteristics of dedication, professionalism, and concern for fellow firefighters as well as maintaining the spirit of the Elsmere Fire Co by exhibiting a level of high standards and commitment to the Fire Co. and community.

I first met this year's honoree in 1992. We were introduced by past Chief and past Town Supervisor Bob Hendrick. We had both agreed to help in the planning and execution of the Town of Bethlehem's Bi-Centennial celebration. Shortly after the end of this task he joined the Fire Co. With 10 years of service he has been an officer of the Fire Co for 6 of those years serving as Treasurer. With a tireless energy to make sure every aspect of the job as treasurer is done correctly Bob has updated and computerized all of the Fire Co.'s financial records. While applying for the necessary permits to host the 2004 Convention of the Albany County and Hudson Mohawk Firematic Associations, Bob found an error. A error of enormous magnitude that had taken place in the early history of the Fire Co. Facing the possibility of daily fines that could devastate our financial status Bob worked with State and Federal officials until the problem was corrected. Ultimately we were not fined. To date all State and Federal guidelines have been met, and the financial future of the Fire Co has been secured.

As a fire police officer Bob can always be found in the streets protecting the firefighters from drivers unaware of their presence. Bob is there in any type of weather to do the task assigned to him.

Bob has also volunteered and worked on many other community events. He was instrumental in Feestilik, the Veteran's Memorial, and Senior Services, to name a few. He served as a member of the Town Board and was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce in 1999.

It is with great pleasure on behalf the Elsmere Fire Co A Inc that I present Robert Johnson with the 16th Annual Kenneth E. McNary Achievement Award.

The Kenneth E. McNary Award - 2004

The Kenneth E. McNary Award - 2003

This year the award goes to an individual, who is a quiet and unassuming person, always busy with work that no one really knows is taking place. He has been a Treasurer of his church, and has sat on the board of the Good Samaritan home. For many years he was a coach of the Blue Cross- Blue Shield Babe Ruth Team.

At the firehouse he has worked closely with Chief Costigan to set up a systematic administrative procedure to take the burden of that task off of the officers so they can devote more time to their individual responsibilities. He also does quality control of the fire reports so the proper info is there when the Chief reviews them. He took the updates and recording of points and alarm reporting to NYSOFPC from paper forms to computer software.

He also maintains M38 and has been used to check out M39 to be sure that it is up and ready for use if called again by the urban search and rescue team. He established and maintains a checkout system for the radios and radio batteries to eliminate charging and repair problems that effect fireground operations. As Lt. of the Fire Police he pre-plans locations in the fire district and trains on fire police operations.

He also chairs the newsletter committee know as the Firehorn where he gathers and edits Co. information to go out quarterly. He also has taken on the task of printing the newsletter himself which saves the Fire Co. a significant amount of money each year.

The Chief says he is lucky to have a fast paced, aggressive, thorough person with private industry experience that knows how to cut through the B.S. and get things done. He is often one step ahead of the Chiefs request to do something and stays with the task until it is complete, and he doesn’t pass the buck.

Ladies and gentleman may I present the 14th annual Kenneth E. McNary Achievement Award winner, Ariel Goodrich.

The Kenneth E. McNary Award - 2002

This year the award goes to a person who has made a definite impact on the Fire Co. and the Fire Service. He is a 28-year member who we know as Jack. His wife knows him as John. Others know him as Senator. He has been called Jackie the Jokeman by some and Action Jackson by others.

Jack served 3 terms as Vice President to the Fire Co. and was Co. President for 3 terms also. As President in 1982 he led us through our 1st Albany County Convention and helped us to put a respectful Treasury together. Later, Jack identified a need of the Fire Co. and made arrangements for us to purchase our first Bus. We have gone from that little red bus to a beautiful new coach that carries the inscription identifying us as the Pride of Bethlehem, and proud to have served at Ground Zero.

Currently serving in his 3rd - 5th year term as Commissioner, Jack is in charge of the training budget. Over the years he has also made the arrangements for the Fire Co members to go out to other Depts. where we are able to see how the FDNY or Boston Fire Depts. work. We have seen major dispatching areas in Boston, training facilities in Nassau, and the super pumper in N.Y. We have been on private tours around the Boston Harbor and the New York harbor in the shadows of the World Trade Center on a fireboat. Jack also made arrangements for us to have dinner in N.Y. City with the number one fireman in command of Manhattan, Vincent Dunn.

In 1988 Jack was appointed Director of the Bethlehem Office of Emergency Management, or BEMO and still holds that title today.

That was the beginning of a new direction for Jack because in 1992 he became Chairman of Albany County Local Emergency Planning Committee. Also in the same year he was Appointed Deputy Fire Coordinator of Albany County. In 1993 he became Deputy Director of Albany County Office of Emergency Management. Jack currently holds the title of Albany County Fire Coordinator and has since 1996. As Coordinator he over sees many Deputies and is ultimately responsible for the Counties preparedness for fire emergencies. Some of the other.shtmlects of this job include the Haz Mat program, J Fire, Recruitment and Retention, Altamont Fair Educational Center and the County Fire Instructors where he oversees the County Fire Training program.

It is because of Jacks many years of dedication to the fire service both locally and county wide that I am proud to present the 13th annual Kenneth E. McNary Achievement Award to John E. Brennan.

The Kenneth E. McNary Award - 2001

The award this year goes to an individual who joined the fire co. 26 years ago . He has been busy advancing in the fire service as well as the emergency medical service. Having served in the capacities of Vice President, 3rd Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant and currently holding the rank of Captain since 1997. While advancing through these offices he was also spending the many hours required to become proficient in the EMS field. Becoming an EMT and advancing to paramedic status he has contributed significantly to the Town of Bethlehem and surrounding communities. Being one of the first local paramedics, he was appointed to the Town EMS Task Force, which laid the groundwork for ALS, or advanced life support services in our community. He has taken the knowledge he gained and made it a career. Currently, working as a paid paramedic for the Town of Guilderland. There he is a supervisor for the paramedic program. He has been awarded and recognized for his life saving efforts and successful heart attack reversals. He is a member of the Albany County Fire Advisory Board which is by appointment of the County Legislature.  Under this heading he also serves with Albany County EMS, Albany County Recruitment, Albany County 911 radio committee and Albany County Quality Improvement. His concept of Firefighters and Their Role at Motor Vehicle Accidents was published by Firehouse Magazine. With this insight Elsmere started sending apparatus to accident scenes. This is now common throughout the County. Present responsibilities as Captain are training and safety.  He has taken many county and state training courses and has also taught many EMS, first aid and CPR classes for Elsmere members.

The 2001 recipient of the Kenneth E. McNary Achievement Award is Jim Reagan!
Pictured are Jim Reagan and his wife Betty.

The Kenneth E. McNary Award - 2000

The award this year goes to an individual who meets these criteria in every.shtmlect and may be the most popular choice to receive this award yet. 

If we went souly on the records, this individual might be passed over. He has only served in one office throughout his volunteer career, that of Property Clerk in the early sixties. With 47 years of Active Service, he is the spirit of the Fire Co. All members, new and old, hold him in high regard and respect as a veteran firefighter. As a driver he has chauffeured many firefighters to all types of emergencies. He is always at drill with a “high how are you?”. He is senior man at all daytime calls where he is always helping out the newer members. You can’t go anywhere with him, without someone recognizing him and wanting to share memories of years gone by.  He was recognized as Fireman of the Year in 1991.  When he is not at the firehouse he is across the street at The American Legion Post donating his time to bingo or cooking something up in the kitchen. He and his wife are always looking out for, and helping out when possible, with our local Veterans of Foreign Wars. In the kitchen at the firehouse everyone always anticipates the month that he will be on the Tuesday night food committee, knowing that he will “take care of the boys.”

It is a great honor to introduce the year 2000 recipient of The Kenneth E. McNary Achievement Award Oliver H. Palmer! 

Oli Palmer, 2000 McNary Award winner 

The Kenneth E. McNary Award - 1999

The Kenneth E. McNary Award was established in 1990 by the Recruitment and Retention Committee in celebration and recognition of Ken's 60 years of active service to the Elsmere Fire Co.

The award is presented annually to an individual whose performance best exemplifies the characteristics of dedication, professionalism and concern for fellow firefighters as well as maintaining the spirit of the Elsmere Fire Co. by exhibiting a level of high standards and commitment to the Fire Co. and the Community.

The award this year goes to an individual who has 38 years of service to the Fire Company. Joining the active roster in 1961, he quickly started in the direction of his future leadership roles. Beginning as secretary in 1962 and 1963 to the line office of 3rd Lt. and next to 2nd Lt. and on to Captain in 1966.  Elected 2nd Asst.  Chief in 1967 and re-elected in 1968, moving up to 1st Asst.  Chief in 1969.  Throughout much of this time he was also volunteering his services at the Little League Park on lower Kenwood Avenue leading Hilchies Hardware to victory. Elected as Chief in 1972 he served there until 1975 when he resigned to accept the appointment to the Board of Fire Commissioners.  For the last 24 years he has served as a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners and has been the Chairman of the Board for many.  In 1987 he was appointed to serve as a Town Board Member and served in that capacity through the end of 1995.

It is his insight and caring shown, that has brought the Fire Company to the respected position achieved in not only the local community but also the State of New York.

With his direction, we have established a Recruitment and Retention Committee long ahead of everyone else.  We have also established the Length of Service Awards Program that has been duplicated by many other fire departments.  We have chief's cars and apparatus on a budgeted replacement calendar that has given us one the nicest fleet of fire apparatus in the State.  The morale and family feeling of the Fire Company can all be attributed to his caring and attention to details.

The 1999 Kenneth E. McNary Award winner, the Chairman of the Board, Frederick C. Webster.

Recipients of the Kenneth E. McNary Achievement Award

1990  Paul Klienke

1991  Tony Morrell

1992  Ned Costigan

1993  Jerry Smith

1994  George Kaufman

1995  Steve Wright

1996  Kevin Shea

1997  J Robert Hendrick

1998  Wayne R Johnson

1999  Frederick C. Webster

2000  Oli Palmer

2001  James Reagan

2002  Jack Brennan

2003  Ariel Goodrich

2004  Richard Webster

2005  Robert Johnson

2006  Michael Cirillo