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The Southwestern Pennsylvania Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs Association held their annual awards banquet Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at Hoss's Steak House in Belle Vernon.

Fire Chief Association Members

Three awards were presented during the evening, one from the South Western Chief's Association, one from Provident Insurance Company, and one from Nova Insurance Services representing VFIS.

The award from the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs Association was presented to Chief James Higgins of Carmichaels, PA. Jim Higgins joined the Carmichaels and Cumberland Township Volunteer Fire Department (Greene County) in 1980 and became the fire chief in 1990, and has remained chief since that time; 2015 is his 26th year as fire chief. Chief Higgins is a longtime member of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs Association and has served as the association's president for two years. Chief Higgins is also a member of the Greene County Firemen's Association.

The award presented from the Provident Insurance Company was presented to Barry Lynch of Perry Twp., PA (Fayette County). Barry joined the Perry Twp VFD when he was just 16 years of age as a junior fire fighter and has remained a member since, serving in many offices. Barry served in the US Army for two years, one of which was a tour in Vietnam. Barry was elected fire chief and served in that position for 32 years at the Perry Twp VFD. Chief Lynch has been a long time member of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs Association and also has served as president of the Fayette County Firemen's Association.

The award presented from the Nova Insurance Services representing VFIS was presented to Gary E Ganoe of Point Marion, PA (Fayette County). Gary joined the fire service in 1972 with Point Marion Volunteer Fire Department and was elected fire chief in 1987; he has served that position for the past 27 years, and remains the current fire chief. Chief Ganoe has also been a longtime member of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs Association and has served in the office of president of the association. Chief Ganoe is also a member of the Fayette County Firemen's Association.

In the photo above Right:  Pictured are (l-r): Clarence Shank, current president of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs Association; Harold L. Whyel, current vice president of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs Association; Chief James Higgins, receiving the award from the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs Association; Chief Barry Lynch, receiving the award from the Provident Insurance Company; Ray Burhart ( in back) agent with Provident Insurance Company; Chief Gary Ganoe, receiving the award from Nova Insurance Services, representing VFIS; and Wayne E .Ray, Nova Insurance agent representing VFIS . Photo credit: Wayne E. Ray

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