Jim Fair
Celebrating the Greer Fire Department's 100th anniversary at a dinner Saturday night at City Hall were, left to right, Senior Engineer Taylor Graham, retired Phoenix, Ariz., fire chief Alan Brunacini, Greer Fire Chief Chris Harvey and Capt. Josh Holzheimer.
Jim Fair
The "Challenge Coin" is traditionally passed from a supervisor with a right handshake when presenting the coin to the recipient.
Jim Fair
Greer firefighters are recognized during the dinner and presentation of the "Challenge Coin".
Julie McCombs
The new pumper truck, acquired by the Greer Fire Department in July, was dedicated to Fire Chief Chris Harvey and his 38 years of service.
A resolution from the City of Greer, commendation letter from Gov. Nikki Haley and Senate certificate from Sen. Tom Corbin were among the tributes. City council members, former mayors and city dignitaries and staff were among the guests.
Senior Engineer Taylor Graham presented the "Challenge Coin" to honor all present and retired fire department staff. "Many have recognized that a small, personalized token can build unity among a team, which also promotes morale along the way," Graham said.
"We are here today at a celebration that warrants not only remembrance of the past but something to remind us of those that came before us and those that will come after to carry on traditions and a continuous building of the fire service."
The front of the coin incorporates the 100th anniversary patch with the motto "Shaping the Future". The back is a combination of the city's first and second fire department patches, centennial dates and a motto of "Honoring the Past". Each recipient received the personalized coin with their fire department unit number.
Keynote speaker Alan Brunacini, former Phoenix, Ariz., fire chief, presented Harvey his coin in the traditional right handshake while passing the coin to the recipient. Harvey's coin has the number 01.
Brunacini told guests he and his associates were judged by, "how fast you got there, team work and customer service – treating victims of fires. My customer was a burning building," Brunacini said.
Illustrating Brunacini's point was GFD staff, all in formal dress, who answered two calls during the dinner.
A historic video of the GFD was assembled by Gerald Davis and narrated by Joada Hiatt depicting the firemen, vehicles and apparatus used through the years to answer the variety of calls for personal assistance, vehicle and train wrecks and fires.
An all-day event at the fire station preceded the ceremonial dinner at Greer City Hall's event venue.