by Bea Peterson
The North Hoosick Fire Department held its annual Installation of Officers Banquet at the Fire House on Saturday, January 10. A delicious meal was catered by Jean’s Place. Master of Ceremonies was Leo Surdam III from the Hoosick Fire Department. The Invocation and Benediction were said by Rev. Michael Benoit.
[private]Memorial Dedication
Again this year the Department lost valued members. The banquet was dedicated to Harold “Hoss” Jones, who passed away February 25, 2014. He was a beloved friend to many and a member of the Department for 16 years. His family were guests for the evening, and a plaque was given to his wife Cindy with Hoss’s shield on it and the dates when he was a member. A slide program of his life was shown while a special song was sung by Joseph Steller and Will “Goober” Steller.
Charter Members
Also honored was Ira Fisk, the last surviving Charter Member, who passed away on November 26, 2014, at age 98 and Ladies Auxiliary Charter Past Member Betty Wilson, who died on March 2, 2014. Department President Charles Starr was presented with a plaque honoring Fisk to be placed on the wall of the Fire House.
Service Awards
At least half the firefighters in the NHFD have 15 years or more of service. The length of service in the Department ranges from one to 47 years. Recognized at the Banquet were Edward Bornt – 40 years, Edward Flood – 25 years, Michael Bornt – 20 years, Steve Gorman – 15 years and Richard Russell – 5 years. In addition, a special plaque was presented to Alan Bornt for serving as Chief for 30 years.
Ladies Auxiliary Service Awards
Members of the Ladies Auxiliary receiving service awards were Bev Flood, Lori Higgins and Tammy Hudson – 10 years and Lanae Sprague – five years.
Greg Fox received an award for Most Alarms Attended in 2014, and Zachary Sprague received an aware for Most Improved Attendance.
Appreciation Awards
Appreciation awards were presented to Jean’s Place, Rev. Michael Benoit, Susan Stradinger, NHFD Ladies Auxiliary, Buskirk, Hoosick, Hoosick Falls, West Hoosick, White Creek and North Bennington Fire Departments and the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad. Awards were given to several members for their dedication to the kids dances that the Department has held for the last 16 years.
Junior And Explorer’s Program
Members of the Department’s Junior and Explorer’s Program also received awards. Those members included Carter Bevis, Timmy Kinney, Thomas Holovach, Jakob Hohn, Bryce Rodd, Will Clifford, Zoelena Poore, Zaynah Poore, Stephen Surdam Jr. and Darrell Holovach.
Officers
Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary Officers for 2015 sworn in by Rensselaer County Deputy Sheriff Paul Davendonis were Fire Chief Alan Bornt, First Assistant Chief Edward Bornt (23 consecutive years), Second Assistant Chief Eric Amidon (22 consecutive years), who is also Treasurer, Third Assistant Chief John Lettre (12 consecutive years), Fourth Assistant Chief Steve Gorman (six consecutive years) who is also Vice President, Operations Coordinator and Secretary Joseph Steller, Safety Officer and President Charles Starr, Safety Officer Thomas Sullivan, Fire Police Captain Richard Russell and Board of Directors Robert Cook, Joseph Steller and Steve Gorman.
Sworn in were Ladies Auxiliary President Michelle Willbrant, Vice President Lori Higgins, Secretary Tammy Hudson and Treasurer Missy Cottrell.
The Fire Police were sworn in by Hoosick Town Clerk Susan Stradinger.
During 2014 the Department responded to 49 alarms and took part in 12 drills, 25 work details, 23 kids dances, three parades, 39 meetings and 15 fire courses.
Chief Bornt gave a report, and President Starr read the Firemen’s Prayer.
Magician Stephen Brundage brought some levity to the evening and impressed everyone with his dexterity and magic with a rubik’s cube and more.
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