Phillips honors firefighters for service

PHILLIPS — The city of Phillips honored five members of the Phillips Fire Department for 30 or more years of service in a ceremony on April 18. The firefighters include Joe Perkins, Sam Johnson, Tony Vlach, John Kaliska and Steve Michalec.

“This is a plaque from the city of Phillips to commemorate you for 30-plus years of dedicated service to the Phillips Volunteer Fire Department,” said Mayor Charles Peterson to each of the firefighters. “Thank you very much.”

Vlach has 36 years of service.

Perkins has 31 years with Phillips and served previously with other departments. He is also the secretary-treasurer for the Phillips department.

“It’s been a pleasure,” Perkins said.

Johnson has 44 years of service and is currently the longest serving firefighter in the department.

“If it wasn’t for the people before me, they’re the ones who made this fire department,” Johnson said. “They had nothing compared to what we have now. When I first came on we left with 500 gallons of water, one truck and six guys on a good day.”

Kaliska and Michalec were not able to attend the ceremony.

The plaques were made by the Logger Manufacturing class of Phillips High School. Phillips Fire Department junior firefighter and high school sophomore Logan Lontcoski led the effort with fellow student Drew Hauschild.