06/12/2026
This past Saturday, June 6, LCFA held its 106th Annual Meeting, which was attended by more than 130 people. The Annual Meeting included a memorial service, awards ceremony, and business meeting.
Twenty LCFA members remembered at the memorial service were Barry L. Saylor (Lincoln Fire Company), William W. Bair (Armstrong/Manheim Township Fire Rescue), Leroy D. Berger (Strasburg Fire Company), Gerald W. Bresch (Conestoga Fire Company), Lawrence T. Lucarino (Quarryville Fire Company), Paul S. Sauder (West Hempfield Fire Rescue/Iron Ridge Fire Rescue), Richard E. Martin (Penryn Fire Company), Amy Sue Sweitzer (Hand-In-Hand Fire Company), Gerald G. Lando (Caernarvon Fire Company), Eugene C. Rodgers (Upper Leacock Fire Company), James G. Greiner (Upper Leacock Fire Company), E. Roger Noll (Reamstown Fire Company/Cocalico Area Fire Dept.), John C. Long (Union Fire Company No. 1 - Lancaster), Lloyd E. Henry (Lampeter Fire Company), Allen H. Hess (Neffsville Fire Company/MTFR), Russel W. Horner Jr. (Columbia Borough Fire Department), Clarence E. Long (Lancaster City Bureau of Fire), Roy Eppley Jr. (West Hempfield Fire Rescue/Iron Ridge Fire Rescue), Wesley E. Hicks (Refton Fire Company), and James D. Carr (Fire Department Mount Joy).
EMT of the Year was awarded to Rick Carpenter, member of Cocalico Area Fire Department, in grateful recognition of over 30 years of dedicated service as an EMT-Basic with the Cocalico Area Fire Department and Ambulance. Throughout his years of service, Rick has impacted countless lives through his skill, compassion, and commitment to patient care. As a strong provider, exemplary leader, and friend to all, he has earned the respect and admiration of those he serves alongside. His dedication to advancing new technology and patient care treatments has made a lasting impact on the organization and the community.
Distinguished Service Award was given to Howard M. Hershey Jr., member of Lafayette Fire Company, in grateful recognition of 57 years of dedicated volunteer service to the Lafayette Fire Company. For 17 years as Chief, and through service in nearly every role within the company, he has exemplified professionalism, humility, and unwavering commitment. Howard’s ability to adapt, mentor, and lead—without seeking recognition—has left a lasting impact on all who have served alongside him. His selflessness, leadership, and enduring legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
Lancaster County Firemen's Association Life Membership is awarded to members with 40 consecutive years of membership. The ten members were Robert Billett (Witmer Fire Protective Association), William Emery (Robert Fulton Fire Company), George LeFevre (Bart Township Fire Company), James Lingg (Strasburg Fire Company No.1), Warren Martin (Fivepointville Fire Company), Jay Allen Monk (Robert Fulton Fire Company), Paul Paulsen Sr. (Elizabethtown Fire Company), Steve Roy (Lancaster Township Fire Department), Alvin Strausner (West Willow Fire Company), and Russell Tomlinson Jr. (Robert Fulton Fire Company).
At the business meeting, Thomas Hoffman, Randy Gockley, Larry Miller, and Brentt Sechrist was elected to serve on the LCFA Board of Directors.
LCFA would like to thank Charles F. Snyder Funeral Homes & Crematory for their donation of memorial candles for the memorial service, Chaplain Jimmy Fannin Jr. for the message at the memorial service, Jonathan Welch for bagpipe music, and Kenton Green, bugler for taps.
Thank you to all who came to the Annual Meeting!
