| A long-standing tradition in the volunteer firefighting service is the Annual Inspection Dinner, where members painstakingly go through all the apparatus and equipment to inspect, maintain and clean. To make things a bit more interesting, each company competes for the title of the cleanest “Best” apparatus, earning a trophy and some bragging rights.
Hosted by the South Salem Fire District and organized by the South Salem Fire Department, this tradition begins in the last few weeks of March and culminates at the annual dinner at the beginning of April. Members and guests dressed in their department's Class-A uniforms converge at the firehouse to enjoy a fine meal and good company to acknowledge the past year's accomplishments and to award those who went above and beyond the call of duty.
We thank all our members for their time and hard work throughout this past year. As volunteers have become fewer, we have managed to maintain an atmosphere of strong members who take pride in serving their community. Great work by everyone in this year’s inspection and a special thanks to this year’s award recipients.
YEARS OF SERVICE
43 years: Mike Lombardi 47 Years: Jim Herzog 48 Years: Tom Beck, Dan Taylor
52 Years: Gary Devito 53 Years: Chris Bins 54 Years: Neal Blum
55 Years: Bruce Bauer, Al Koehl, Mike Lynch 60 Years: Paul Black
TOP RESPONDERS [out of 302 total calls]
Paul Amerling: 168 calls Tom Gossett: 193 calls Lt. Scott Schoenberg: 205 calls
Bill Dooley: 235 calls Ex-Chief Mike Lombardi: 239 calls
FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR
F.F. Rob Dent
BEST APPARATUS
ENGINE 166
Thank you to all of our members, the Board of Fire Commissioners, and our mutual aid guests for a great 2025 and we look forward to a successful 2026. |
