When residents of Rush Township find themselves in a jam, Fire Chief Barry Messerschmidt is just a phone call away.

That reputation has won the admiration of many, prompting the board of supervisors to name the 52-year-old man Volunteer of the Year for 2011."Through the years, he thought of the fire company as his second family," explained Chairman Stephen W. Simchak at a meeting Monday morning in the Rush Township Municipal Building."Barry is more than happy to help out the local township police department with whatever assistance they may need in cleaning up from accidents, fallen trees, and traffic control. It doesn't matter what time of the day or night it is, Barry is just a phone call away."Messerschmidt was introduced to volunteerism and the Hometown Fire Company at the age of 5 when he routinely accompanied his father, an active fireman.He joined the fire company in 1973 when he and pal Jim (Pooh) Stewart were recruited for membership by then-chief Bob Runk.Simchak explained that Messerschmidt's generosity knows no bounds."A couple of years ago when there was a fire on Kahler Hill and a family lost everything right before Christmas, Barry gathered a group of volunteers and went shopping and made sure all the children had something for Christmas, and Santa delivered it to them on the fire truck."Messerschmidt recently supplied toys to Toys for Tots and is known for his volunteer work organizing fundraisers for the fire company, including chicken barbecues, Sunday breakfasts, spaghetti dinners and more."You can count on Barry to be there from start to clean up," said Simchak.Messerschmidt also serves on the recreation board, recreation committee, and helped to organize Family Bowling Days in February and several Christmas parties for the children.He also has assisted with plans for developing Miller Park and Quakake Park, and serves as chairman of the local Boy Scout troop chartered by Hometown Fire Co."He does whatever it takes to make sure the community stays the way the residents want it," said Simchak.The board unanimously passed the resolution on Monday, naming Messerschmidt Volunteer of the Year for 2011, the first volunteer honored in the township's 200th year.Humbled by the accolades, Messerschmidt deflected the credit to his fellow members."It takes more members of the fire company to keep it running," he said. "We'll keep at it."In other action, the board awarded the bid for the Meadow Avenue Project to Grand Prix Excavation, for the sum of $271,550.Administrative assistant Marie Skripnek reported that township residents can obtain a prescription discount card at the municipal building, providing for savings from 10 percent to 50 percent, and available to all Schuylkill County residents.It is not a type of insurance and there are no forms to fill out, she said, but is meant to be used for prescriptions not covered by insurance.