The Schuylkill Historical Fire Society held its annual banquet Saturday at Seltzer Fire Company. Participating in the event are, from left, Rich Rissel, assistant chief engineer of the Thorndale Fire Company; Mick Arnold, Thorndale Fire Company president; Jessica Knapp, society Member of the Year; Michael Kitsock, society president; Al Bright, society vice president; Ronald Young, president of Cradle of Liberty Antique Fire Apparatus Association; and William Anderson, a trustee with the central eastern division of Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America.

SELTZER - Presentations of several awards highlighted the annual Schuylkill Historical Fire Society banquet Saturday.

The gala, which also included honoring the society's Member of the Year, was held at the Seltzer Fire Company in Norwegian Township.

Jessica Knapp, secretary of the society, was honored as the SHFS Member of the Year for her efforts in ensuring the continuing success of the organization.

Ronald Young, president of the Cradle of Liberty Antique Fire Apparatus Association, presented the society with an appreciation award.

Young said the award was given in recognition of the society's efforts in helping with and making the 2013 Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America National Summer Convention a success.

The convention was held in the Philadelphia area, but a delegation traveled to Shenandoah to tour the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society museum in former Columbia Fire Company building.

The highlight of the trip was a parade of antique fire apparatus led by a horse-drawn antique steam-powered pumper.

"This was probably the first time this steamer was pulled from a fire station by horses in the last 90 years," Kitsock said.

Landy, who has dedicated more than 50 years in the fire service, said the Merion Fire Company was called on that day. Before the fire was brought under control, it involved the efforts from more than 20 suburban fire companies manning more than 50 pieces of apparatus.

A special deluge unit from the Philadelphia Fire Department was also needed and before the fire was brought under control, more than five million gallons of water were used, Landy said.

A special award was presented to Mick Arnold, president, Thorndale Fire Company, Chester County. The company has been actively involved with the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society and attended Saturday's banquet with more than 10 members making the almost 100 mile trek.

Gold card or lifetime membership awards were presented to William Rudolph, Donald Taylor, James Aiken, Mike Miller, William Anderson, Robert Zemanik, Rick Examitas, Al Lawrence, Gary Garris and Mike Yarnell.

In closing, Kitsock said the society banquet is a way for allow lovers of antique fire apparatus to get together, exchange stories and ideas and simply relax and enjoy.

"Everyone here is here because of their love of antique fire apparatus and their dedication to keeping the spirit of the fire service alive," he said.