136 Marsh Hill Road, Orange
ORANGE, Connecticut, September 3, 2026 – Orange Firefighter Don Foyer (left) and Woodbridge Firefighter Paul Konwerski (right) will be honored at the Amity Chamber of Commerce Community Awards and Annual Meeting as each town’s Firefighter of the Year.
Chosen by the leadership of the Orange Volunteer Fire Association (OVFA) and the Woodbridge Fire Department, respectively, both men will be recognized for outstanding service to their communities on September 17th at the Courtyard by Marriott, 136 Marsh Hill Road, Orange.
Don Foyer has proudly served the Orange community for over five decades. He joined the Orange Volunteer Fire Association in October 1974. Since 2009, Foyer has served as Chairman of the Orange Volunteer Fire Department Carnival, overseeing the OVFA’s primary fundraiser and its largest source of revenue. This longtime community tradition brings together families, friends, and neighbors for one of Orange’s favorite summer events.
Orange Fire Chief Vaughan Dumas said, “Over the years, Don has completed numerous training courses, earning certification as a Firefighter I and in Forestry Fire Suppression. Since 1975, he has served as one of the department’s drivers, certified to operate every piece of apparatus in the fleet, and remains a reliable asset today, still ready to answer the call at any hour of the day or night.”
Paul Konwerski joined the Woodbridge Volunteer Fire Department in June 2009. Certified as a Firefighter I and Firefighter II in 2010, Konwerski also earned Rescue and Heavy Rescue certifications in 2010. He has since earned certifications as a Fire Instructor, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and became a Lieutenant in 2013 and Captain in 2015.
Woodbridge Fire Chief Sean Rowland said, “Firefighter Paul Konwerski has been a dedicated member of the Woodbridge Volunteer Fire Department since 2009. His dedication is not only to the Fire Department, but he also donates his time and service supporting community events throughout the year to the Town of Woodbridge.”
Admission to the Amity Chamber Community Awards & Annual Meeting program includes a hot buffet breakfast and the opportunity to network with officials and fellow business and community leaders throughout the region. Doors open at 8:30 am with the program starting promptly at 9:00 am. Seats are limited, and no tickets will be available for purchase at the door. Click this link to purchase tickets. https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/kxjz86g
Amity Chamber Corporate Partners, including Avangrid (Platinum Level) and The Milford Bank (Gold Level), are generously sponsoring this year’s event, along with Chamber members Optimum (Gold Level) and Silver sponsors, Baybrook Remodelers and 7 Brew Drive Through Coffee.