Saturday was a night of honors and remembering those who have served as the volunteer Aberdeen Fire Department’s members, and their friends and family, gathered for the organization’s annual awards banquet.

After a welcome and greeting by Harford County Councilman James “Cap’n Jim” McMahan, the banquet hall of the Aberdeen Fire Department was filled with laughter and cheer.

Following a meal, Chief Steven C. Hinch and President Russell A. Piper promptly presided over the installation of the new administrators and officers for the year.

The new administrators for the year, in addition to Piper, are: Vice President Lyle DeShaw II; Secretary Curtis Diering; Treasurer Judith Mills-Hinch; director (3 years), John Bender; director (2 years), Chuck Glassman; and director (1 year), Al Severn Jr.

The officers for the year, in addition to Chief Hinch, are: Assistant Chief Eric Reith; battalion chief 1, Dale Budnick; battalion chief 2, Keith Budnick; and battalion chief 3, Edward Budnick.

In the fire line, the captains are Ken Turner, Steven S. Hinch and Nick Weber, while the lieutenants are Curtis Diering, Don Crites, Lyle DeShaw II, Josh Montague, Robert Nicewander and Chris Guida.

The new EMS captain for the year is Jeff Sexton.

Next was the announcement of the new safety officers: Fred Budnick and Russell A. Piper; the new training officer, Jonathan Bender; and the new fire prevention officer, Gordon Biscomb.

Following the announcement of positions was the presentation of the length of service awards.

Those recognized for five years of service are: Shannon Budnick, James Casey, Jeff Sexton, Amber Smith, Bill Thompson and Nick Weber.

Those recognized for 10 years of service are: Jonathan Bender and Brian Giles.

Those recognized for 30 years are: Gordon Biscomb and James Budnick, and special awards for 35 and 60 years were presented to: Richard Kosko, 35 years; and James Shirley, 60 years.

A special recognition was also presented to Richard Kosko for serving as treasurer of the department for 20 years.

The awards for top five EMS responders went to: Steven S. Hinch, 81; Shanish Cromwell, 104; Travis Hollars, 105; Jeff Sexton, 143; and Judy Hinch with 216 responses.

The top fire responders for the year are: Fred Budnick, 335; William Smith, 366; Emily Worthington, 393; Ed Budnick, 394; Adam Smith, 397; Judy Hinch, 404; Dale Budnick, 415; Steven S. Hinch, 433; Steven C. Hinch, 438; Josh Montague, 446; Scott Budnick, 569; and D.B. Smith Jr. with 872 responses for the year.

The rookie of the year award was presented to Scott Budnick, who logged 569 fire responses and 38 EMS responses in his first year of service.

The firefighter of the year award went to Josh Montague, who had 477 fire responses, and 39 EMS responses. John F. Bender received this year’s safety award.

Judy Hinch was awarded the top responder award, and received proclamations from Senators Nancy Jacobs and Barry Glassman, Delegates Wayne Norman and Dan Riley, County Council President Billy Boniface, Aberdeen Mayor Mike Bennett, and County Executive David Craig.

“It cannot be understated just how much taxpayer money that volunteers like yourselves save the citizens of Harford County,” Bennett said.

Chief Hinch spoke warmly of not only the award winners, but also to all members of the company, praising them for their dedicated service and “adherence to the tenants of cooperation, dedication and service.”

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