By SARIT LASCHINSKY

Special to The Press

Upper Macungie supervisors presented a pair of distinguished service awards to former members of the township’s volunteer fire departments at the beginning of their March 4 board meeting.

The first proclamation honored Jeffrey Grim, whom board Chairman James Brunell said was a longtime figure in Upper Macungie.

“Most of you know Mr. Grim, Jeff Grim, he’s been involved with the township for a very, very, very long time.” Brunell said. “He and his wife have dedicated most of their adulthood, and probably some of their teenage years to the township and its residents, and we want to offer him a heartfelt thank-you with a proclamation.”

Grim served township residents with Fogelsville Volunteer Fire Company in numerous capacities, including chief and fire company president, from 1970 until 2020.

A township resident since 1963 and a 1970 graduate of Parkland High School, Grim had a 36-year career with Mack Trucks, working in the engineering and development test center departments.

“Jeff’s public service roots run deep as his father, grandfather and grandmother were active in both Fogelsville and Cetronia fire companies, which his grandfather was a founding member of in 1923,” Brunell noted.

Grim would continue his family tradition and began his public service commitment with Fogelsville’s Fire Company in 1970 and continuing for 50 years, 41 of which were as an officer, including 14 years as fire chief and 15 years as president.

Brunell also said Grim has been actively serving in the community elsewhere including as a member of the Upper Macungie Township Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Association for 31 years, Lehigh County Fire Chiefs Association for 28 years, St. John’s UCC, Fogelsville for 12 years, the Fogelsville Union Cemetery Association for 18 years, and as Upper Macungie’s elected auditor for 14 years.

Brunell and fellow supervisors Kathy Rader and Sean Gill then presented Grim with the distinguished service award, in recognition of his dedication and contributions.

“Thank you for the honor” Grim said.

“Thank you for your service,” Brunell replied.

Next, board members presented a proclamation honoring Steve Rowe, who served as Upper Macungie’s fire marshal from 1994 until 2020, and also served with the Trexlertown and Fogelsville volunteer departments.

Reading from the award, Brunell said that Rowe began his 47-year commitment to public service as a firefighter with Jim Thorpe Fire Department in 1973 and then served with Goodwill Fire Company No. 1 of Trexlertown.

Rower then transitioned to Fogelsville’s fire department when he began serving as the township’s fire marshal in 1994.

Brunell also said that Rowe, a Weisenberg Township resident, also served as a firefighter with Weisenberg Volunteer Fire Department.

“It is with great pride and sincere appreciation that the board of supervisors hereby present this distinguished service award to Steve Rowe, and will forever remember his contributions to Upper Macungie Township,” Brunell concluded.

Supervisors then presented the proclamation to retired Fogelsville fire chief Jacque Creamer, who accepted the award on Rowe’s behalf.

“Steve said thank you very much to the supervisors for the award,” Creamer said. “He said the main reason he did everything he did was for the township and the community served.”

Lastly, the board recognized new members of the township’s three volunteer fire departments and honored those who recently received certification achievements, though no new members were in attendance that evening.

Brunell asked Bureau of Fire Director Peter Christ to pass along the board’s appreciation to the departments’ members.

“There is quite a bit of fire representation here tonight,” Brunell said.

“From the township and the board of supervisors, please pass along our gratitude for their service and for embarking what we would hope to be a long volunteer commitment with Upper Macungie fire service.

“Thank you, thank you to all our volunteers.”