Diligence Fire Company honors Summit Hill firefighters
Len Ogozalek, second from left, assistant chief of the Summit Hill fire department, presents the “Fireman of the Year” award to member Jac Collura during the program on Saturday. From left, Ed Nunemacher, president of the department; Ogozalek; Collura; Stan Karnish and Greg Miller, representing the Summit Hill Sons of the American Legion and American Legion; Sam Degiglio, who received the “Volunteer of the Year” award; Larry Black, fire company captain, who assisted with the award presentations; and Len Ogozalek, also representing the Legion. RON GOWER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
Jac Collura has been a member of the Diligence Fire Company in Summit Hill for only three years, but he’s made quite an impression on his peers.
So much that on Saturday, Collura was named the Paul “Paulkie” Yuricheck Firefighter of the Year” by the department.
He was presented with the award by assistant chief Len Ogozalek.
Collura previously served with the former Lansford Ambulance Corps.
“I moved here three years ago from Lansford and decided I wanted to get involved,” he said.
Ogozalek said of Collura’s service to the fire department, “He keeps on doing and doing.”
He said not only does Collura attend practices and training sessions, he also helps with other activities including fundraising, bartending for special events, cleanup duties and miscellaneous chores.
Ogozalek said the award is named in memory of the late Paul Yuricheck, who was the first Firefighter of the Year award recipient some years ago.
Collura was one of three award recipients during the fire department’s annual Christmas gathering, held in the Hilltop Community Center.
Sam Degiglio was the recipient of the “Volunteer of the Year” award for his help with the fire department’s annual fundraising golf tournament.
The Friends of the Fireman Award was presented to the Summit Hill American Legion and the Sons of the American Legion. The award was presented by Larry Black, fire company captain.
Receiving the award for the organizations were Stan Karnish, commander of the Sons of the American Legion, and Greg Miller, post chaplain. This was the second time the Legion and Sons of the Legion were honored by the department.
