On Saturday February 15th Pequea Valley Fire Department held our annual members appreciation banquet. At this year's banquet we were able to take some time and honor former Deputy Chief Doug Brubaker for his service to the company and community. Doug recently moved out of the area and stepped down as the Deputy Chief after being a Chief officer for 30+ years combined between Pequea Valley Fire Department and the Kinzer Fire Company prior to the consolidation.

As a member of Kinzer Fire Company prior to the consolidation, Doug has over 40 years of service with the department. Doug started climbing the ranks many years ago serving 1 year as an Engineer, 1 year as a Lieutenant, jumping to Assistant Chief for 4 years, then Deputy Chief for 10 years before finishing out as Chief of Kinzer Fire Company for the next 15 years.

When the consolidation of the Kinzer Fire Company and Gordonville Fire and EMS started Doug was adamant that it was time for the younger generation to start taking over the reins and offer to help serve the department with offering support to the younger generation of inspiring officers and step down as the head Chief and serve as the Deputy Chief, the role he has been serving in for the last year and a half.

During his time with Kinzer Fire Company and Pequea Valley Fire Department, on top of serving as an officer, Doug had several other accomplishments over the years:
1. Established a detailed internal maintenance program for apparatus and equipment to make sure they remained in top notch operational capacity which ultimately helps cut back out of service time and cost for outside service/repairs.
2. Served on multiple apparatus committees and put into service the current Engine 405, Squad 405, UTV 405, and our recently sold Tanker 405.
3. Served on the Firemen's Relief board for several years
4. Extremely active in fundraising and public education/school events
5. Served on the steering committee for the consolidation of Kinzer Fire Company and Gordonville Fire and EMS into Pequea Valley Fire Department.
6. Recently obtained his EMT and committed to volunteering 1 night a week and a weekend rotation on the ambulance.

We are happy to report that despite Doug moving out of the area Doug has committed to staying on his weekly EMS shift and weekend rotation as an Ambulance driver, assisting with fundraisers and catching as many fire calls as he can while in the area!

Deputy Chief Brubaker was presented with a plaque that has two Chief helmet fronts mounted to reflect his time as Chief of the former station 45 Kinzer Fire Company and Deputy Chief of station 40 Pequea Valley Fire Department.

Please join us in congratulating Doug on his achievements and wishing him well in this new support role!