26th ANNUAL WVFC RECOGNITION BANQUET

On Saturday, March 22 members, significant others, and guests gathered for our 26th annual recognition banquet.

This event allows the WVFC the opportunity to celebrate and recognize our volunteers for their hard work and accomplishments from the previous year.

This year it was again held at the Country Fare Restaurant in Myerstown. Everyone was treated to an excellent buffet-style meal, followed by a year-end review video created by our photographer David Kurtz showing highlights from 2025.

The company finished with 398 runs in 2025, one short of our record from last year.

The top 10 responders were recognized:
Assistant Chief Merle Hurst (275), Chief Engineer Dale Hurst (255), Lieutenant Lamar Hurst (230), Junior Firefighter Jeffrey Eshbach (201), Firefighter Mike McKeone (194), Firefighter Mark Huber (165), Fire Police Lieutenant Paul Krick (151), Assistant Chief Kyle Zerbe (138), Deputy Chief Ryan Zerbe (131) and Firefighter Jared Litzenberger (128)

An annual Member of the Year award is voted amongst all the members and this year it was awarded to Junior Firefighter Jeffrey Eshbach.

We also recognized two businesses that have been a tremendous help to the WVFC over the years; Wessner Mechanical of Lebanon and Superior Gunsmithing of Robesonia.

Wessner Mechanical, owned by Feryl Wessner, a former chief of the WVFC, has taken care of all our heating and mechanical needs at the firehouse for decades at little or no cost to our department.

Since we’ve started our Facebook raffles, Superior Gunsmithing of Robesonia has played a vital role in supporting our fundraising efforts with keeping us supplied with raffle prizes, and making the process virtually seamless.

Please consider supporting these local businesses.

We also recognized six of our volunteers with a Unit Citation award for an incident that took place last year.

The citation reads as follows:
On November 6, 2025, at approximately 12:55 a.m., the Womelsdorf Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched to assist the Robesonia Fire Company with a technical rescue. Upon arrival, fire personnel encountered a large tree that had fallen into the second floor of a residence, trapping an occupant on her bed. Assistant Chiefs Kyle Zerbe and Merle Hurst entered the residence, made contact with the conscious occupant, and remained with her while assisting with the rescue until she was successfully extricated. The actions of Assistant Chiefs Zerbe and Hurst, along with Lieutenant Lamar Hurst, Chief Engineer Dale Hurst, and Firefighters Mark Huber and Jared Litzenberger, directly resulted in the successful rescue of the trapped occupant. Their actions and teamwork exemplify the highest traditions of the fire service and reflect the professionalism and dedication of the Womelsdorf Volunteer Fire Company.

As a token of appreciation, members were given a new fire company hooded sweatshirt and officers were issued custom leather radio straps.

Thanks to everyone who made the event a success!