Thousands of hours spent responding to emergency calls, upgrading the town’s ambulance service and providing a friendly face for children at community events were recognized when the town’s volunteer fire department recently revived its annual awards dinner.

Six people received awards. Department leaders also acknowledged the service of all of its 68 members, including how long each of them has been in the organization. Greg Sims was recognized for his 50 years with the department, as was Pam Erling, who is retiring after 14 years with the ambulance service. The fire department also runs the town’s emergency medical service.

“Everybody contributes in their own way,” fire Chief Craig Robbins said. “There is plenty of work to go around and we wanted to acknowledge people’s efforts.”

Department officials said they had not done an awards dinner in five years and Robbins said efforts like that help boost morale.

Leo LeBoeuf, a 16-year veteran of the department, was named firefighter of the year. Ryan Kerr, a deputy chief for the ambulance service, was named the department’s officer of the year and his sister, Danielle Kerr, was named emergency medical technician of the year.

LeBoeuf was also recognized for responding to the most fire calls in 2016 while David Bondanza was honored for working the greatest number of hours for the ambulance service.

Gerry Holland who department officials said was instrumental in upgrading the ambulance service last summer to include paramedics.

Joseph Viener, who dresses up as Sparky the Fire Dog. was also recognized.