by David Flint
The Fire Hall, sporting a new grand entry way, fresh paint on the walls and gaily decorated in red white and blue, was ready Saturday night for the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department’s 2014 Installation Dinner. Christopher Headley in his “President’s Minute” pointed out other improvements that had been made in a $60,000 renovation. [private]Besides the painting and the entry way done by Adam E. Squires Construction & Restoration Services, they included energy efficient improvements such as a new gas fire furnace, a new gas tank, new storage areas, a new kitchen stove and exhaust system, enlarged office space, a new audio/visual system, a new satellite TV system and the floors newly stripped and waxed. Headley thanked the members for their hard work in fundraising and accomplishing the work, especially Frank Zwack Jr. who headed up the Ways & Means Committee.
Prior to an excellent roast beef dinner catered by New Lebanon’s Hitchin’ Post, inveterate Master of Ceremonies Henry Zwack introduced honored guests including County Executive Kathy Jimino, Town Supervisor Larry Eckhardt, Public Safety Director Kelly Paslow, EMS Coordinator Jim Dorward, County Fire Car 2 Bill Gummer, County Fire Coordinator Ivan Wager, EMS Zone Coordinator Amy Manchester and representatives of neighboring fire and ambulance departments including Billy Osterhout from Berlin, Mark Sheline from New Lebanon, Bill Seel from Petersburgh and Mitch Levinn from Hoags Corners.
The featured speaker for the evening was EMS Certified Instructor Coordinator Lynn Kane who is starting her 24th year as an EMS Instructor and 16th as Fire Instructor. Kane told a story of a young EMT who had been on a call with a fire company not classified as a first response company. Having provided emergency care to a woman in need while waiting for an ambulance crew to respond, he was soundly chastised for doing it when they did arrive. Kane said she told him he had done well and should continue to provide care when needed. Rescuers, Kane said, “need to cut themselves and their colleagues some slack. We all want the very best for our patients.” She added two other things to remember: “Let’s give ourselves leaders who can lead us well so that we can do a good job in providing the care that our patients and the community need,” and finally, “Let’s all remember why we got into this to begin with – it was to help out during the worst of situations, to make a positive difference.” Kane advised the firefighters and rescuers not to let petty politics wear them down. It’s normal, she said, but when together on a terrible call, “We’re all there as a team.”
County Executive Kathy Jimino, expressing thanks to the members for being there to respond for their community and to the officers who take on an additional work load, presented a Certificate of Congratulations and Appreciation to the Department on behalf of all the residents of Rensselaer County. Chief Joseph Zwack received the Certificate for the Department.
Madden Receives Special Award
A special award was bestowed on Tammy Madden. Presenting the award, Assistant Chief Rik McClave said Madden had been with the Department for 29 years and had responded to approximately 100 calls per year as both a Firefighter and an EMT. Madden will be retiring soon as an EMT, but McClave said she has assured the Department that she will continue to respond to calls as an ambulance driver and as a Firefighter. “We’re really going to miss you as an EMT,” McClave said, “Thank you for your years of service – and we look forward to seeing you on calls.”
Awards
Chief Zwack congratulated members who had during the past year responded to 50 or more calls: Rik McClave – 173, Bill Jennings -98, Lynda Lewis – 85, Alex Haley – 74, Tammy Madden – 64, Brett Chmura – 61, Daniel Ebbert – 54, Jonathan Angley – 51 and John Close – 50.
Active Service Awards were presented to Daniel Ebbert, Gary Joyner and John Linton for achieving five years of service, to Beth Burgess, Bill Jennings and Mark Zwack for ten years, to Bob Adler for 30 years, to Dave Cornell for 45 years, to Wyatt Haley, Rik McClave and Gene Jacobs for 50 years and to Frank Zwack, Sr. for 55 years.
A Moment Of Silence
A moment of silence was requested in honor and in memory of former members Bill Sullivan, Scott Baker and Robert Reiter, who died during the past year.
The following officers were sworn in by Cyril Grant, a Stephentown Town Justice as well as Battalion 5-0 Coordinator:
Chief – Joseph Zwack
Assistant Chief – Rowland McClave III
Captain-Fire – Byrun Barnum
Captain-EMS – Julie Joyner
Captain-Fire Police – Alexander Haley
Lieutenant-Fire – Gary Joyner
Lieutenant-Fire – John Angley
Lieutenant-EMS – James Bonesteel
Lieutenant-EMS – Justin Cameron
Safety Officer – Charles Riccardi
Safety Officer – Stephen Whitman
President – Christopher Headley
Vice President – John Linton
Secretary – Tammy Whitman
Treasurer – William Jennings
Director – Wyatt Haley
Director – Robert Adler
Director – Frank Zwack, Sr.
Director – Charles Hoffman
Director – Dave Cornell
Fire District #1 Officers
Commissioner – Frank Zwack, Sr.
Commissioner – Doug Griswold
Commissioner – Lewis Sharp
Commissioner – Richard Burgess
Commissioner – Wyatt Haley
Treasurer – Andrew Maguire
Secretary – Patricia Goodermote
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