The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

The North Hoosick Fire Department Celebrates 65 Years

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by Bea Peterson
About 150 people attended the 65th Anniversary Banquet of the North Hoosick Fire Department on Saturday, July 21. Chief Alan Bornt told the gathering that the banquet was dedicated to all the Department firefighters and Ladies Auxiliary members for their hard work and dedication to the communities of North Hoosick, East Hoosick and Walloomsac.[private] “For the past 65 years, past and present firefighters have answered the call of duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Your commitment to the fire service is outstanding, and your accomplishments over the years have been greatly appreciated,” he said. Everyone stood for a moment of silence to remember all the firefighting and auxiliary brothers and sisters no longer here. Bornt also vowed that the Department would continue to strive to save the lives and property in the community they serve.

This is the North Hoosick Fire Department’s first fire truck. It was ordered in October, 1947, and received on June 4, 1948. Photo courtesy of Chief Alan Bornt.

In his invocation Rev. Dale Hall said that for 65 years the members have been driven by their passion, and he thanked them for that passion.
Special guests included Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino, Fire Coordinator Ivan Wager, County Legislators Stan Brownell and Lester Goodermote, Hoosick Town Supervisor Keith Cipperly and Councilmen Bruce Patire, Louis Schmigel and Jeff Wysocki and Hoosick Rescue Squad President Bill Gaillard. Representatives from various other Fire Departments attended as well.
Members Honored
Chief Bornt presented framed certificates to current and past NHFD firefighters in appreciation of their service. The Department currently has 31 active members. Robert Cook has 44 years service, Thomas Sullivan, Sr., 41, John Lettre, 8, Edward Bornt, 37, and Alan Bornt, 35. They have four members with 25 years, five members with 20 to 23 years and eight members with 10 to 17 years service. The remaining nine members include an Explorer Scout, new to the organization, and the rest with from one to nine years service. Bornt said the Department has had 229 members since its founding. Special recognition was given to Ira Fiske, the only surviving Charter Member.

North Hoosick Fire Chief Alan Bornt presented a special plaque to Charter Member Ira Fiske at the Department’s 65th Anniversary Banquet. (Bea Peterson photo)

Charter Members of the Ladies Auxiliary include Eleanor Baldwin, Caroline Bornt, Betty Harrington and Betty Wilson. Caroline is an active member and has been for 50 years. Jackie Sullivan has belonged for 35 years, and Kathy Amidon has served for 21 years. The other 12 members have anywhere from three to 11 years in the Auxiliary.
County Legislators Brownell and Goodermote presented Bornt with a copy of the resolution they put forward commending the Department at the Legislative meeting on July 9. The Department also received plaques from the County, the Town, and the Rescue Squad.
County Backup
Chief Bornt presented a certificate to the Rescue Squad in appreciation for the tower and radio equipment put into service at the NHFD after Hoosick Falls shut down its dispatch service. Bornt said should the County 911 system fail, they would be able to provide coverage for all of Northern Rensselaer County.
The Department also honored Bonesteel Trucking and Sonny’s Motors for their support over the years. Sonny’s was also congratulated on its 50th anniversary.
Not All Fun
Folks reminisced during a slide presentation of parades and events from “way back when.” Some of the present firefighters were kids in the slides. Many laughed at all the good times they had. Bornt said everyone is getting older. “We used to have entertainment after our banquets, but we stopped that several years ago because everyone wanted to get home early.” Those aren’t the only changes. Bornt said, “The fun days have gone by. Unfortunately today what we have to do to keep the Department going is extensive mandatory training and lots of paperwork.” Another problem he said is manpower. “The way it is today it’s very difficult to get daytime manpower. Sometimes two, three or four Departments have to be dispatched for one call.”
Giving To The Community

One of the most popular events the NHFD sponsors in the community is the Annual Pool Dance held at the Town of Hoosick Pool. The kids love it. Photo courtesy of Chief Alan Bornt.

In his remarks Lester Goodermote told the members, “You do an awful lot of good for an awful lot of people.” That’s true. Ask the hundreds of kids that attend the twice monthly dances through the school year. North Hoosick has been offering these dances for 14 years. The Department also has a day during the Christmas season when families come to the firehouse to pick up toys and other items to make a special holiday for their children, without charge. North Hoosick holds chicken barbecues and benefit dinners, in addition to their drills and responding to emergencies.
The NHFD 65th Anniversary Banquet included dinner, catered by Jean’s Place, magic and comedy by Magician Joe DiDonna and music for dancing.

 

 

 

 

 

Standing with NHFD Chief Alan Bornt (right) are Department Active Member Robert Cook (left), who has 44 years service, and Ladies Auxiliary Member Caroline Bornt, who has 50 years with the Auxiliary. Rensselaer County Legislator Lester Goodermote (next to Cook) called them forward, and he and Legislator Stan Brownell presented NHFD Chief Alan Bornt with a copy of the resolution they sponsored at the July meeting of the County Legislature commending the Department for its 65 years of service to the community. (Bea Peterson photo)

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