by Bea Peterson
Hoosick Falls Dispatchers were recognized at the Hoosick Falls Fire Department Annual Banquet and Installation of Officers on Saturday evening, January 22, at the Firehouse. Chairman of the Hoosick Falls Board of Fire Commissioners and President of the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad, Bill Gaillard, presented plaques to the Dispatchers attending the event and said familiar voices with their knowledge of the area will be sorely missed when the local Dispatch service is shut down at the end of April. Dispatchers honored were Paul and Cathy Aleksonis, Alan Bornt, Robert Bornt, Paul Davendonis, Janet DeLuca, Dave Hanselman and Leo Surdam.
Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Tom McMartin. Pastor Dale Hall of the Hoosick Baptist Church gave the Invocation and Benediction. Chief Robert Bornt welcomed and introduced the guests from the community and other fire departments that have assisted the Department during the year. HFFD officers were installed by Battalion 5 Coordinator Greg Morin. Fire Police were installed by Hoosick Falls Police Chief Robert Ashe. Special Awards and Certificates were presented by Chief Robert Bornt and First Assistant Chief Carlton Coon.
2011 Officers
Firematic Officers elected for 2011 are Fire Chief Robert Bornt, First Assistant Chief Carlton Coon, Truck Captain Paul Davendonis, Engine Captain Keith Cross, Fire Police Captain Brian Lampman and Engine Lieutenant Shaun Blair.
Department Officers elected for two years are Chairman Brian Lampman, Treasurer Tim Hayes and Secretary Georgiana Parker.
Board of Directors are Don McCabe and Jules Coleman, elected for two years, and John Parker, Sr. and Georgiana Parker, elected for three years.
Commissioners are Chairman Bill Gaillard through 2012, Tom McMartin through 2011, Tom Chirasello through 2013, Paul Davendonis through 2014 and Paul Aleksonis through 2015.
Years Of Service
Active members recognized for their years of service were Wayne Houghton with 53 years,
Dave Hanselman, 44 years, Carlton Coon, 40 years, Don McCabe, 35 years, and John Parker, Sr. with 27 years.
Top Ten Responders
Each Hoosick Falls firefighter is awarded points for responding to calls and attending meetings and classes. Chief officers exclude themselves from this point earning program. The maximum points that can be earned in a year are 714. This year’s top ten were Brian Lampman with 492 points, Shaun Blair, 418, Wayne Houghton, 413, Keith Cross, 394, Jeff Swan, 343, Andy Kipp, 311, Dan Perard, 304, Paul Davendonis, 282, Georgiana Parker, 282 and Fran Parker with 281.
119 Alarms Answered
The Hoosick Falls Fire Department answered 119 alarms in 2010. The calls were CO Detector/Furnace Problems – 10, Mutual Aid – 17, Structure Fires – 7, Fire Alarms – 30, Brush Fires – 1, Vehicle Fires – 2, Wires Down – 7, EMS Assistance – 5, Good Intent – 32, Motor Vehicle Accidents – 8.
The Banquet was catered by Jean’s Place. A special video entitled “Through the Years,” produced by Kenny Haviland, showed highlights of the 64 year history of the HFFD. Music for the evening was provided by DJ Alan Bornt.
