by David Flint
“We’re all neighbors helping neighbors.” That was the theme of this year’s Open House and Recruitment Day at the Stephentown Fire Station.
[private]From 10 am to 2 pm – preceding the annual Roast Beef Dinner that same afternoon – members of the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department had the fire apparatus standing tall outside the Fire Station. Members were on hand ready to explain to visitors and potential recruits the duties and rewards that come with being a volunteer firefighter. Some were busy scrubbing down the floor inside and generally spiffing up the area.
Fire Chief Joseph Zwack said that aside from continuing with efforts to attract new members, the main goal of the Department for the coming year is to replace the aging Rescue Truck and the 1987 Mack truck with a combined small rescue truck/pumper. This would be the first response truck off the floor, would carry EMS and Fire Police equipment and also have the capability of putting out a fire with Class-A foam and a 1k gpm pump.
Assistant Chief Rik McClave said the Department has taken on two new members in the past year and two more have pending applications. New equipment acquired includes a portable chain saw, a leaf blower for assisting at brush fires and new electric sump pumps for pumping out flooded cellars.
Training is constantly ongoing. McClave said that members recently completed a 22 hour Fire Police course in Berlin. A 12 hour Firefighter refresher course is currently in process. Three members, Brett Chmura, Rob Rosier and John Zwack, are in the midst of an 85 hour course in basic firefighter skills.
Stephentown is fortunate to have 11 EMTs on its roster, though of course not all are available all the time. McClave said one EMT is in training and an application has been received from a new member who will certify as an EMT.
The Department responded to 250 calls in 2013, about two thirds of these being EMS calls. The number of calls so far this year is close to 100, with 26 calls so far in April.
The Fire District and the Department have expended a considerable amount in the past year to improve and maintain facilities. McClave noted that a new roof on the Fire Station cost $87,000. The Department also made improvements to the Fire Hall on Grange Hall Road totaling about $60,000. These included lighting and electricity updating, a refurbished entryway, painting of walls and kitchen and storage renovations. Planned improvements to the Fire Hall, McClave said, are not yet complete.
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