Cetronia Recognizes Firefighters for Excellence

Cetronia volunteer firefighter Barry Eigen was named Firefighter of the Year, and Joe Macus received an award for Distinguished Service during ’s recent annual awards banquet at Mangos Restaurant. 

About 65-70 people, including volunteer firefighters and their families, chiefs from other fire departments in South Whitehall, township commissioners, members of the  and representatives of the township police department, were on hand for the awards banquet.

Eigen had been chosen by a vote of members of the volunteer fire department.

“This is the first year it was done this way,” said Eigen. “There are 15 to 20 active firefighters [of the company], and they were all eligible to vote, but officers were not allowed to win. The vote was conducted during a business meeting in November. We have a pretty good turnout at our meetings. All members present were allowed to vote.”

Eigen first discovered he had an interest in becoming a firefighter while growing up on Long Island, N.Y.

“I was in the Cub Scouts in elementary school, and we visited a fire department,” he said.

After moving to the Lehigh Valley as an adult, he accompanied his son, also a Cub Scout at the time, to the Cetronia Fire Department. That trip sparked his interest again, and the rest is history. He’s been with the department for more than six years.

Eigen is vice president of technology for a locally-based custom jewelry manufacturer, a job that he said allows him the flexibility to answer fire calls..

Captain Joe Macus received the Distinguished Service Award. He was chosen based on his extensive training and his duties with the department. He is involved in the decision-making process when it comes to purchasing new equipment, and, as Eigen puts it, “has done a lot for the company.”

Macus, 24, joined Cetronia as a junior firefighter when he was 16.

Said Eigen, “As in every department, when you start out, you keep your eyes and ears open [to learn]. Joe’s taken all the training and is a very capable and respected firefighter. All of the guys who go on calls trust that Joe has their backs. He’ll go the extra mile, and he works well with other departments. I think very highly of him.”

Outside of the department, Macus is employed by Service Electric Cable TV.

Also receiving recognition were Lou Wheeland and his son, Deputy Chief , both for 20 years of service; Assistant Chief , for 15 years of service, and Lieutenant Sean Papp, for 10 years of service.

Eigen, Macus and the service award recipients all received plaques.