by Bea Peterson
On Saturday evening, January 26, the Hoosick Falls Fire Department held its Annual Banquet and Installation of Officers at the Firehouse. The dinner was catered by Jean’s Place in North Hoosick. The Invocation and Benediction were given by Rev. Dale Hall of the Hoosick Baptist Church. Music was provided by Matthew Shaw.
[private]Master of Ceremonies and former HFFD Chief Donald McCabe recounted, during his tenure, firefighters hanging onto trucks as they rushed to a scene or not wearing helmets. “You can’t do that today,” he said. Training today is much more extensive than years ago and rules and regulations are far more stringent. “Paperwork is a big part of a Chief’s job today,” he said.
McCabe introduced the Department’s many guests, including their spouses and guests. They included Ken Yonconish-Hoosick FD, Al Bornt-North Hoosick FD, Carl Brownell-West Hoosick FD, John Cross-White Creek FD, James Grogan, Cambridge-FD, Mark Hubb-Pittstown FD, Cyril Grant Rensselaer County Battalion Coordinator, Greg Morin-Rensselaer County Deputy Fire Coordinator, Deb Lohnes-Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad, Bill Gaillard-Outgoing Fire Commissioner, Paul Aleksonis-Fire Commissioner, Rita Kittel-Hoosick Rescue Squad Infectious Control Trainer, Keith Cipperly-Hoosick Town Supervisor, Steve Bonesteel-Apparatus Technician, Niel Stowell-Hoosick Falls Highway Superintendent and Donald Pierce-Rensselaer County HASMAT Coordinator. Also recognized were Sue Stradinger-Hoosick Town Clerk, who swore in the Fire Police, and Regis Shultz who helped the Department with their part in the parades and Bill and Lois Paiko that “help out in any time of need.” Certificates of appreciation were presented to all of the Fire Departments and several individuals.
Also recognized were Life Members in attendance, Nick Flynn, James Grogan, Art Hyde and Ray Volger.
Town Supervisor Keith Cipperly presented the Department a Certificate of Appreciation from the Town.
2013 Officers
Officers were installed by Rensselaer County Deputy Fire Coordinator Greg Morin.
Firematic Officers
Fire Chief-Carlton Coon, Assistant Chief-Paul J. Davendonis, Captain-John Parker, Sr., Fire Police Captain-Brian Lampman, First Lieutenant-Jason
Paiko, Second Lieutenant-Shaun Blair, Third Lieutenant-Jeffrey Swan, Fire Police Lieutenant-David Hanselman
Department Officers
Chairman-Brian Lampman, Treasurer-Timothy Hayes, Secretary-Georgiana Parker
Board of Directors
David Hanselman, Brian Lampman, Donald McCabe, John Parker, Sr., Georgiana Parker
Years Of Service
In 1958 Alaska became the 49th state, the word “Aerospace” was coined, the peace symbol was designed, Elvis Presley was inducted into the Army and Wayne Houghton joined the Hoosick Falls Fire Department. Remarkably Wayne is still an active member of the Department, responding as part of the Fire Police and doing a myriad of odd jobs around the firehouse. Wayne received a standing ovation as he stepped to the front of the room to receive a combination clock and plaque noting his 55 years.
Ten years later, 1968, David Hanselman joined the Department. He, too, is still an active member. David received a plaque commemorating his 45 years with the Department.
Others honored for years of service were Georgiana Parker with 25 years and Francis Parker and
Daniel Periard with five years each.
Member Points
HFFD members receive points for attending drills and responding to calls. High point member this year was Jason Paiko with 81. Outgoing Chief Bornt said that not counted in that amount was the number of hours Paiko spent taking courses and attending special sessions that were computer related. The other four of the Top Five Active Members were Paul J. Davendonis with 67 points, Francis Parker-64 points, Shaun Blair-56 points and Andy Kipp-53 points. Chief officers remove themselves from this list, but they also have outstanding numbers. Robert Bornt earned 78 points and Carlton Coon earned 77.
2012 Calls
When calls come in to the Hoosick Falls Fire Department today, the volunteer firefighters that respond are very likely to be handling an event completely unheard of when the Company was founded more than 165 years ago. They include Brush Fire-1, Brush Fire-Mutual Aid-1, CO Alarm-3, EMS Assist-11, Explosion-1, Fire Alarm-25, Fire Out On Arrival-6, Gas Leak-2, Good Intent-2, Hazardous Condition-5, Landing Zone-3, Motor Vehicle Accident-8, Outside Fire / Controlled Burn-16, Search and Rescue-1, Service Call-2, Smoke Investigation-3, Standby-1, Structure Fire-2, Structure Fire-Mutual Aid-6, Traffic Control/Mutual Aid-3, Transformer Fire/Wires Arcing-4, Tree on Wires-5, Water Problem -3 and Wires Down-10.
Outgoing Chief Robert Bornt said the Department also spent the better part of a week preparing for Hurricane Sandy, which, mercifully, spared this area.
Grants
Chief Bornt announced that the Department has received a $50,000 Assistance to Firefighters Grant, sponsored by FEMA, to purchase 20 sets of personal protective gear. “This mandatory turnout gear is good for 10 years and relieves the taxpayers of that cost,” he said.
The Department also received a $1,000 matching grant from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to purchase brush fire gear.[/private]