William G. Martin “Iron Man” Award
The Fire Department has a long and storied history that dates back to 1901. In 1991, William G. Martin passed away while still an active member. Bill, although in his 80s, was a 40-year member who was among the department’s most active members. A department Trustee and Fire Police officer, Bill was at every department meeting and many calls helping to direct traffic and keep his fellow firefighters safe. Those firefighters included his son Terry, grandsons Kevin and Brian, and nephew Steve Ingersoll.
His dedication and participation at such an advanced age touched and moved then town Supervisor John Kazanjian. With a reference to baseball great Lou Gehrig, who in the mid-1930s received the moniker “Iron Man” for playing in a record 2,130 consecutive games, the Town Board created the “Iron Man” award to give to a deserving member of each of the town’s three volunteer fire departments annually. Bill was awarded the 1st Iron Man in 1991 posthumously.
Only two other members have received the award posthumously. John Hoffman, a 28-year member and past President who passed away suddenly after a long and courageous battle with diabetes, received the award in 2000. And 2008 Honoree Thomas C. Panzone was a 35-year member whose life was cut short by cancer. Tom was an avid cook and relished the time spent cooking for his fellow firefighters at meetings and special gatherings.
The Iron Man Award recognizes the volunteer firefighter who is ever ready, ever willing, and ever-present to serve the community. The recipient of this award has exemplified an outstanding dedication to service. The New Hartford Town Board recognizes the resolve, commitment, and genuine enthusiasm of this individual as an inspiration to all.
Yr. Iron Man | Name | Age Joined Dept. | Age Iron Man | Years w/ Dept. |
1991 | William G. Martin | 40 | 80 | 40 |
1992 | Leslie J. Dean | 22 | 74 | 53 |
1993 | Louis J. Sherwood | 43 | 80 | 37 |
1994 | Stephen V. Scanlon, Jr. | 38 | 71 | 38 |
1995 | William J. Freiberger | 37 | 78 | 48 |
1996 | George S. Glass, Jr. | 28 | 80 | 49 |
1997 | Harold C. Lewis | 18 | 78 | 50 |
1998 | Thomas V. Randall | 21 | 64</ | 66 ^ |
1999 | John A. Kielar | 56 | 76 | 20 |
2000 | John A. Hoffman | 24 | 53 | 28 |
2001 | Terrance P. Martin | 19 | 56 | 46 |
2002 | William J. Freiberger III | 19 | 57 | 58 ^ |
2003 | Joseph E. Crandall, Jr. | 38 | 71 | 46 |
2004 | Paul E. Lewis | 19 | 57 | 53 |
2005 | David M. Reynolds | 19 | 58 | 56^ |
2006 | James F. Spellman | 34 | 70 | 48 |
2007 | James P. Kreutzer | 39 | 71 | 44 |
2008 | Thomas C. Panzone | 30 | 65 | 35 |
2009 | William H. Randall | 27 | 63 | 48 ^ |
2010 | Thomas R. Watkins | 29 | 60 | 43 ^ |
2011 | William J. Wren | 39 | 62 | 33 |
2012 | David E. Maier | 19 | 51 | 33 ^ |
2013 | Robert Matt | 32 | 58 | 35 ^ |
2014 | Jeffrey P. Madden | 19 | 52 | 41^ |
2015 | David Mazzatti | 42 | 69 | 33^ |
2016 | James E. Monahan | 54 | 80 | 31^ |
2017 | Joseph Luker | 23 | 62 | 44^ |
2018 | David Butler | 31 | 67 | 40^ |
2019 | Bernard Green | 23 | 71 | 38^ |
2020 | Stephen Moran | 39 | 75 | 37^ |
2021 | Michael Coonradt | 27 | 69 | 42^ |
2022 | David Corr | 30 | 72 | 42 |
Michael D. Sowich Firefighter of the Year Award
In March of 2007, Michael Sowich suffered a fatal heart attack while attending fire department training classes at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Although Mike had only been a member for two months, there was a relationship that spanned nearly 15 years. Mike was a New York State Fire Instructor and taught many classes in New Hartford. He previously belonged to the Sherrill-Kenwood Vol. Fire Department where he was also employed as a Village Codes Officer. To honor Mike’s love for firefighting and his dedication to teaching others, we dedicated our Firefighter of the Year award in Mike’s name to honor his memory.
2006 – Robert Matt
2007 – Bernie Green
2008 – Tom Watkins
2009 – Paul Lewis
2010 – Brian McCormick
2011 – Eric Cappelli
2012 – David Butler
2013 – Jason Stallone
2014 – Kevin Monahan
2015 – James Luley
2016 – Steven Moran
2017 – Joshua Famolaro
2018 – Robert Matt
2019 – Daniel DeLuke
2020 – Dylan Evans
2021 – Timothy Barcomb
2022 – Matthew Bailey
William V. Kelly Emergency Medical Technician of the Year
The Fire Department issues annual awards to recognize members who go “above and beyond” the call in their service to the Fire Department. One such award recognizes the “Emergency Medical Technician” (EMT) of the Year. Of the department’s eleven hundred-plus calls annually, over 75% are medical.
The award has been dedicated in memory of William V. Kelly, a 39-year member who, in 1937, established what would become today’s “Emergency Medical Service” (EMS). Bill was certainly ahead of his time when the American Red Cross trained him as an Instructor in First Aid. A representative from the American Red Cross in Washington D.C. came to the Utica Chapter and trained Bill and five others from the region. Not only did he train New Hartford firemen, but he also trained hundreds of Oneida County residents in the art of First Aid and emergency resuscitation.
Bill inspired many generations towards community and emergency service. His sons Jack and Fran both served at one time in the fire department. Fran rose to the rank of Deputy Chief before retiring. His wife Margaret and daughter Peggy Brady, both served in the Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. Margaret was a Charter Member, helping to form the Auxiliary in 1953 and Peggy served as its President.
2006 – Andrew Hicks
2007 – James Monahan
2008 – Stephen Kurtelawicz
2009 – Frank Basile
2010 – Stephanie Mathias
2011 – Brian McCormick – Gabriel Zabala
2012 – David Burnham
2013 – James Toomey
2014 – Trey Geary
2015 – Michael Kowalski
2016 – Gabriel Zabala
2017 – Kenneth Phelps
2018 – Kenneth Phelps
2019 – Michael Galligano Jr.
2020 – Sean Dickson
2021 – Timothy Barcomb – John Jensen – Dylan Evans – Matthew Bailey – Joshua Famolaro – Daniel Monahan
2022 – Jonathan Montano
NHFD Rookie of the Year
The Rookie of the Year is the firefighter who is within the first three years of their service. They are on probation, with an annual review.
This award recognizes the new member who has gone above and beyond the service expected of a rookie firefighter.
2006 – Thomas Hulser
2007 – Patrick Green
2008 – Michael Kennedy
2009 – Brian McCormick
2010 – Michael Flood
2011 – Mark Ritchie
2012 – W. Brian Mathias
2013 – Cody Wilson
2014 – Jeremy Roberts
2015 – Joshua Famolaro
2016 – Michael Galligano Jr.
2017 – Brett D. O’Grady
2018 – Steven Ingersoll Jr.
2019 – Dylan Evans
2020 – Timothy Barcomb
2021 – Matthew Bailey
2022 – Jonathan Haggerty