Alchevsky named chief of Cassville fire dept.

JACKSON - The Cassville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, which serves Jackson's Fire District No. 2, recently held its 67th annual installation of officers and awards dinner.

"Cassville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 protects 65 square miles of southern and northwestern Jackson and is staffed by more than 30 active volunteer firefighters," said newly elected Fire Chief John I. Alchevsky. "They twistedmy arm, and after 30 years theymademe take [over as] chief, so Matt Genovese and I switched."

He said the fire company answered more than 300 calls during the past year.

Alchevsky said the department recently acquired new rescue equipment known as airbags and struts. The airbags can be inflated and used to stabilize a vehicle that is on its side.

At the awards dinner, Genovese presented a Chief's Unit CitationAward to the members of the fire company for their efforts during the wild fires in Stafford Township during the summer of 2007.

The following fire command line officers were elected and recently installed: Chief John I. Alchevsky, Assistant Chief Matt Genovese, Capt. John E. Poppe III, 1st Lt. Adam R. Poppe and 2nd Lt. Andrew Kubinski.

At the ceremony, executive board members President Douglas M. Velting II, Vice President Robert Jamison, Treasurer Kenneth Persichetti, Secretary Adam Poppe and Sgt. at Arms Jesse Langguth were sworn in to office.

Fire District No. 2 commissioners Gary Poppe, Steven Holmes and John Poppe Jr. administered the oath of office and issued the new officers their badges.

Firefighters Gary Poppe and Douglas Velting were reappointed by Alchevsky to serve as the safety officer and assistant safety officer, respectively, and Marc Castillo was appointed as chief engineer.

Firefighter Daniel Snow was the recipient of the 2007 Firefighter of the Year award and Firefighter Gregory Genovese received the 2007 Rookie of theYear award.