Distinguished Service Awards presented to Minquas Fire and EMS Personnel

 
By Firefighter Shail Shetye
May 18, 2026
 

Downingtown Fire and EMS responders from the Minquas Fire Company #2 where honored recently for their service and dedication to the community through several newly created awards in honor of both a former two-term Fire Chief and his wife, along with the first female to serve in the Borough's Fire Department ambulance corps.

The Hallan J. Usher & Arvilla Reynolds Usher Distinguished Service Award recognized Stephen P. Miller and Michael L. Miller for their outstanding dedication and achievements during the 2025 response year.

The Harriet D. Usher EMS Distinguished Service Award recognized Tyler Deck for his outstanding dedication and achievements in the Ambulance Emergency Medical Corps.

The award ceremony took place at the Minquas' monthly meeting at their Wallace Avenue fire station. The event not only featured the award recipients, but the family members of the individuals who the awards are named after, which included the Usher and Kram families.

Heather and Rob Kram also formally presented to the Minquas Fire Company Museum a special display case and wall plaques that featured Harriet D. Usher's ambulance patches and badges that she wore while actively involved with the fire company in the late 1960's and early 1970's.

Rose Charlone from La Sponda Restaurant in Downingtown presented dinner gift certificates to each of the recipients as well.

A $500 dollar scholarship fund has also been established in the name of Hallan J. Usher and Harriet D. Usher's through Delaware County Community College for current Chester County first responders who wish to earn a two-year Associates Degree in Paramedic - Advanced Life Support (A.A.S.), or the Associates Degree in Emergency Management & Planning (A.A.S.).

** The photo features from left to right: Rob Kram, Laurie Usher, Rose MascherinoCiarlone, JoAnn Yaworski-Usher, Glenn Usher, Stephen P. Miller (award recipient), Michael Miller (award recipient), Tyler Deck (award recipient), Heather Kram, Donna Usher, and Shawna Usher.
 
Attachments:
Attachment distinguishedServiceAwards_2025_PressRelease.pdf  (322k)
 
The photo features from left to right: Rob Kram, Laurie Usher, Rose Mascherino�Ciarlone, JoAnn Yaworski-Usher, Glenn Usher, Stephen P. Miller (award recipient), Michael Miller (award recipient), Tyler Deck (award recipient), Heather Kram, Donna Usher, and Shawna Usher.
The photo features from left to right: Rob Kram, Laurie Usher, Rose MascherinoCiarlone, JoAnn Yaworski-Usher, Glenn Usher, Stephen P. Miller (award recipient), Michael Miller (award recipient), Tyler Deck (award recipient), Heather Kram, Donna Usher, and Shawna Usher.