Editor: STUART L. GATES, Stony Point, NY 10980 · Page 2 THE TRUMPET The traditional and formal protocol event was hosted by Chief Lynch’s Lady Warren Hose Co#5 with a “packed

VOLUME 45 Issue #3 Friday, May 10, 2013

“COMPLIMENTARY COPY” Editor: STUART L. GATES, Stony Point, NY 10980

ALL FAITHS MEMORIAL IS SUN JUNE 2

On Sun evening June 2 at 7 PM is the Annual All-Faiths Firemen’s Memorial Service at the Rockland County Fire Training Center in Pomona. This is sponsored by the RC Fire Advisory Board say Board Chairman Frank Hutton. The Public is invited and uniforms are optional.

If inclement weather the service will be held indoors instead of outdoors in front of the granite memorial firefighter statue. Post service refreshments are served thanks to the RCVFA Ladies Auxiliary.

Among the Honored Color Guards will be:

Nyack Fire Dept for 150 years dedicated service Empire Hook & Ladder #1 Upper Nyack 150 yrs New City Fire Engine Co 125 yrs Spring Valley Hook & Ladder Cpo#1 110 yrs Orangeburg VFA 100 yrs Rockland Hook & Ladder Spring Valley 105 yrs

Orangetown #1 So Nyack Ladies Aux 65 yrs

See you June 2!

RCVFA HOME DAY JULY 21 NEEDS YOUR $$

Again the annual appeal for support to Rockland’s participation and trip to FASNY Firemen’s Home at Hudson was a recent letter to your organization sent by RCVFA Corre Sec, John Kryger. Thank you for a favorable response.

Currently Rockland County has 3 veteran volunteers as guests up there: Charles MacMurray of Piermont, Robert “Rusty” Doscher from Pearl River H&L Co, and Ex-Chief of Hillcrest Henry Wolfe.

The RCVFA covers the charter bus fee and with the county ladies assoc the food and beverages on the bus ride, plus a decorated sheet cake, all free to those attending. Thus your co/dept donation goes to the Home Members “Social Fund” for their benefits (trips, holiday parties, personal needs and entertainment).

Already the RCFCA sent us a generous donation says Robert A Capello. Thank you to the co/dept that respond to this project as all your dollars are presented by RCVFA to the Home Fund “Small Change”. Without your support we could not provide this.

This special day is also done by other county volunteer fire organizations on different weekends during the year.” It is a truly Happy Time and brings good memories to the Home Residents, who look forward to seeing friends and visitors” notes Charlie Sharon, RCVFA’s Chairman for the July 21 Bus Trip and Home Day now shared with Westchester County VFA.

The free trip bus leaves Orangeburg firehouse at 7:30 AM, “6-101” Mt Ivy station for 8 AM departure, then going to Vol Hose #1, Suffern for 8:30 AM pick-up.

HAVERSTRAW ELECTS LYNCH CHIEF

With retiring Deputy Fire Coordinator Robert H Sullivan (himself and Ex-Chief of the Haverstraw FD) presiding over the biennial “Chiefs Convention” election of the Chiefs. Al Lynch was elevated to be Chief of Dept 4. He succeeds Patrick McNamee from Relief Hose Co#3.

Page 2 THE TRUMPET

The traditional and formal protocol event was hosted by Chief Lynch’s Lady Warren Hose Co#5 with a “packed house full” on Thurs, April 4

th.

The team of Asst Chiefs endorsed by their companies include; “4-2” Robert Drexler Jr of Cosgriff Hose Co#4, “4-3” Thomas Price from Rescue Hook & Ladder Co#1, “4-4” John “Bart” Gordon with General Warren Emergency Co#2, and “4-5” Perry Masiello in Relief Hose Do#3.

During the closing festivities Bart Gordon presented the new “Baby Chief” Masiello with “supplies” for a baby: i.e. pacifier, diapers, baby powder, bib, baby bottle with nipple, etc amid laughter, applause and hand-shaking by all.

With many Ex-Chiefs in attendance the senior officer was JoMayh P Gordon (61 yrs RCVFA Member). His son-in-law Ex-Chief Andrew Connors was the Chiefs Convention Sec noted.

Outgoing Chief McNamee also retired from FDNY nad is the Village of Haverstraw Fire Inspector. His wife Susan was thanked for her 10 years as HFD Ladies Auxiliary Pres.

Jerry Felice a :Life Member of Lady Warren Hose Co#5 (and in RCVFA since 1976) did a “yoeman’s jof” of greeting each quest and announcing the many present from neighboring fire dept’s and officials like Mayor Kohut.

100TH ANNIVERSARY NJ & NY VFA JUNE 8

Among those busy on this 2 state parade are Chairman Don Arterburn, Larry Bolson, Clint Miller, Jeff Bullanco, Raymond Guarnuccio, Jerry Richardson (sec), Craig Miller, Neil Carroll, Nicole Arterburn, Mark Rhodes, and Nick Gatti.

Parade Judges from the Inter-County Volunteer Fire Judges Assoc with NONE from either Bergen of Rockland Counties commented Vice-Pres Nick Gatti. Already 38 area fire departments are in the line of march, just 2 miles, with 9 from Rockland competing for 46 trophies.

PAST PRES RE-ELECT CLUB LEADERS

Recently the RCVFA Past-Presidents Club re-elected Howard F Schwettzer Pres, Nicholas Gatti Vice-Pres, and Douglas C Mann Sec-Treas. They also set the clubs events calendar and dates for the rest of 2013. Included a picnic July 16 coordinated by John Coyle IV and Christmas party Dec 6

th co-chaired by Mike

Wicks and Doug Mann.

The club encourages attendance at RCVFA events and meetings and serve on a committee.

WE MOURN THEIR PASSING

Sadly we note the death of RCVFA Life Member William F Dillon Jr on April 7, age 84. He was a Live Member of RCFCA, serving as Chief in 1956-57 for Rockland Lake, an Honorary Chief of Spring Valley with 50+ years member of SV Hook & Ladder Co. Mr. Dillon joined RCVFA 1965 and was active in the American Legion. Among his family survivors are 2 great grandchildren.

Eric MacAdam, RCVFA Life Member having joined in 1986 from Hillburn, died April 25 at age 53. At the time of his passing Eric was Capt of their Fire Police, but held many offices in the Hillburn FD. His leadership was valued so Eric will be greatly missed. Eric \was born on Christmas Day 1959, one of 7 children. Well-liked. RCVFA’s sympathies to his family and friends.

Page 3 THE TRUMPET

RCFCA 2013-2014 OFFICERS

Space in the last issue could not fit in the directors of the busy RCFCA thus they are here so you know who to contact for help and expertise.

AJ Knapp of Nanuet, Frank Jewett of Nyack, Bruce MacRae of Stony Point, George Drescher of West Nyack, Jason Goldsmith of New City, Vincent Martuscelli Sr of So Spring Valley, Chris Kear of Hillcrest, Peter Rugg of Haverstraw, Robert Daly of Sparkill, Ray Guarnuccio of Spring Valley, Anthony Massarof of Sloatsburg (Jr Past-Pres)

5 Directors Emeritus; Robert a Kraft of Congers, Kenneth T Wanamaker of Central Nyack, Richard Brooks of SWJ Garnerville, Socky Trojhan of Nanuet, Joe Jacaurso of Spring Valley

Pres Harold Straut, 1st Vice-Pres Brian Armida, 2

nd

Vice-Pres Robert Murdock, 3rd Vice-Pres David

Schnitzer, Rec Sec Troy Spong, Treas Vincent Sheridan Sr, Fin Sec Glenn Zahlmann, Corres Sec Bruce Leonard, Sgt-At-Arms Robert a Capello

Continuing as Chaplains are Stuart Gates, Franklin H Knower, and Richard Silverberg. RCFCA meetings are 7:30 PM monthly except for June & Dec with educational programs note 2

nd Vice-Pres Robert

Murdock

FEW FIRE FACTS FROM FRIENDS Ex-Chief and School Resource Officer George O Zayas is developing a class on “Safety When Fired Upon” like sadly occurred in West Webster, NY. Watch for dates(s) for the “Firemen Under Fire” program

*******

Harold R Hill is the lone Rocklander to receive recognition as a 50 years loyal member of the Hudson Valley VFA reveals George H Hill, HVVFA Fin Sec. Harold joined in 1963 being an active officer with Empire Hook & Ladder Co#1 of Upper Nyack, He established Rockland Fire Equipment. Harold will be” saluted” Fri, Jun 21 during the convention at West Glens Falls firehouse, 33 Luzerne Rd, by HVVFA Pres Marilyn L Schrader.

*******

Thank you to ALL who sent news, info, dates for this issue. Please keep details and names to “Ye Editor” or Sheryl at RCFTC.

*******

At the last Firefighters Graduation, held at RCC Peter Byrne notes that Hillcrest Ex-Chief Chris Kear (also with Town of Greenwich, CT FD) was the eloquent speaker for the over 80 graduates. Hillcrest had 9 graduates, 7 were from each Haverstraw, Stony Point and New City FD’s, with 6 newly trained for each of West Haverstraw, Nyack and Pearl River FD’s. Two of the class were Orange County Volunteers.

Master of Ceremonies Nyack FD Ex-Chief Frank Jewett a NYS Fire Instructor had Frank “Biff” Bifulco as Chaplain for the ceremony. RCVFA Paul Schlegel greeted the grads.

*******

The successful NJ & NY VFA Centennial Dinner Celebrations at the Colonial Inn in Norwood, had a large delegation attending from Rockland County led by RCVFA Pres Paul D Schlegel on Sat, Mar 23

rd. Ex-

Chief, now Mayor of Ridgefield Park, George Fosdick was Master of Ceremonies reports Nick Gatti, now 1

st

VP of the bi-state 100 years old association. *******

Much credit and thanks for the training and safety of the recent graduates at the RCFTC goes to Peter Byrne, Robert Capello, Michael Healy, Instructors Bill Boera, Andy Kolesar, Frank Bifulco, Dan Denney, and FTC Staff Sheryl Rose and Thomas W Bierds.

*******

The 46th Annual Dinner of the New City Fire Eng

Co#1 honored their 2011-12 Pres Thomas Heuffel on Apr 13

th. Chris Serra was Master of Ceremonies. Matt

Musculino offered the Innovation, then Sgt-At-Arms Dennis Henion led the Pledge of Allegiance before a minute of silence to the departed members and for the safety of our troops overseas.

*******

Join New City FD for a Night of Family Fun at Rockland Boulders on Fri, June 28

th @ 7 PM. $15.00

tickets go to http://tinyurl.com/ncfd-boulders Contact Jason at [email protected]

*******

Andrew Kolesar, Ex-Chief from Volunteer Hose Co#2, West Haverstraw, was presented the Town of Haverstraw Medal of Honor in a ceremony Mon, Apr 22

nd by Supervisor Howard Philli[ps.

Andy was honored for his brave actions Jan 17, 2011 that saved the life of his friend and Capt Kenny Paterson during an illegal housing fire. The Captains’ SCBA Oxygen tank had emptied.

Among his may previous honors Andy Kolesar was designate Fireman of the Year for NYS/FASNY, RCVFA and the bi-state NJ&NY VFA. This hero joined RCVFA in 1991.

*******

The Wayne Hose Co was saluted and thanked by the Town Supervisor and Town Council on Tue, Apr 23

rd

for their many responses and long hours during “Superstorm Sandy” last Oct, with the volunteer firefighters rescue of many Grassy Point flooded residents and homes. Supervisor Geoffrey Finn, presented Chief Joseph Robinson, and Asst Chief’s Kevin Huslinger and Curtis Wicks with bags full of “Sandy 2012” service bars for the Co Parade Dress Uniforms.

About 20 company officers and members attended the ceremony and stood when applauded by other town residents, commented Capt Nick Attlino.

*******

Page 4 THE TRUMPET

KORNFELD, REW, NEWMAN & SIMEONE

Attorneys & Counselors at Law _____________________

Providing legal services to fire districts and fire

departments for over 40 years.

Also concentrating in Personal Injury, Real Estate, Estates,

Matrimonial and Family Law *****

Frank T. Simeone Robert E. Rew Jr.

Thomas J. Newman Jr (1912 – 1960)

William S. Badura

Scott A. Dow Thomas J. Newman

Jerome S. Jefferson (1928 – 2012)

Jerome M. Kornfeld

(1923 – 2012)

46 Washington Ave 845-357-2660

PO Box 177 Fax: 845-357-6977

Suffern, NY 10901 [email protected]

Page 5 THE TRUMPET

Items are needed for a New Exhibit on the 40th

Anniversary of the Fire Training Center. Any artifacts, literature, banners, mugs, photos, etc you may have would be appreciated. Call Mike Leitner 634-1249

*******

Please save the date - Mon, Sep 30, 2013, at the beautiful Casa Mia Manor House in Blauvelt we will be hosting our annual dinner - this year the RCFTC is celebrating 40 years. The dedication of the FTC was Sept 30, 1973. More details on our celebration will be forthcoming .

*******

John Kryger addressed the Quarterly Meeting of the Westchester County VFA in Tarrytown on Apr 14

th,

along with Tom Bierds on illegal housing. The presentation was highly interesting and welcomed by attendees.

HUDSON VALLEY LADIES CONVENE JUN 20

The 38th Annual Convention of the Ladies Auxiliary

HVVFA will be Thurs, June 20th reports Past-Pres

Dianne Werner. The meeting is at the West Glens Falls Emergency Squad building, 86 Luzerne Rd.

Use Exit 18 of the Northway. Travel on Main St (CR 28) going a ½ mile to Richardson St, turn left onto Richardson, continue to see firehouse 33 Luzerne Rd on your left. You can register Wednesday evening. Any details call Dianne ASAP 845-359-3510 or [email protected]

If you would prefer to receive your copy of “The Trumpet” in an electronic version rather than the paper version, please send us your e-mail address. We will add you to our e-mail list and remove you from the snail mail list. Please contact Sheryl Rose at 845-364-8800 or [email protected]

HANCHAR CELEBRATES 95TH BIRTHDAY

On Sunday April 28, 2013 the Hanchar family and friends surprised John Hanchar Sr. with a birthday celebration on his 95

th birthday.

John Sr. is a World War 2 veteran and a 76yr member of the Knickerbocker Fire Engine Company Rockland Lake joining in 1937

The Knickerbocker Fire Engine Company presented John Hanchar with a memento for his years of devotion to his family, community and the fire company

HILLCREST 98TH ANNUAL DINNER

On Sat, Apr 20th Hillcrest Fire Co#1 held their 98

th

Annual Dinner at Platzel Brau Haus. They honored the outgoing Chief Lloyd Hovelmann and the new officers. This dinner was also in Loving Memory of Richard “Pop” Bihler Sr, Ex-Chief and Chairman Board of Commissioners.

Chief Scott Hankinson 1St Asst Chief John Erzen

2nd Asst Chief Chris Bowers

Captain Greg Martin Lieutenant Robert Murdock Jr 1st Engineer Peter Gessner

Fire Police Capt Paul Streichert

Pres William Martin III Vice-Pres Peter Gessner Rec Sec Bruce Schwartz Corres Sec Pete Carney Fin Sec Gordon Wren Sr Treas Lewis Glantz Chaplain Richard Silverberg

HILLCREST AWARDS HONORS MEMBERS

Top Responder Mike Kramar Most Training Chris Bowers Top Driver Joe Romano Probation Award Jeff Potishman FF of the Year Orin Ben-Jacob Chiefs Award Corey martin Presidents Award Warren Kaplan 60 Years Roger Degraw 50 Years Richard Keller Joel Black 25 Years Terry Quinn 20 Years Peter Gessner Lewis Sacks Marc Lieman

Page 6 THE TRUMPET

George M Mulligan, CPA

Tax Return Preparations, Auditing

Accounting & Bookkeeping Services

New Business Set UP

Financial Planning

Stony Point, NY

942-1186

He’s a Wayne Hose Co Driver &

Treasurer Stony Point Fire District

Page 7 THE TRUMPET

CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE FREE 845-786-3861 Deadline for Next Issue Last Wed. 5/29/13

Sat, May 11 ● LAFASNY Meeting at the Home in Hudson, Dianne Werner of Tappan, VP

Sat/Sun, May 11/12 ● HIT Weekend at Rockland FTC, contact Frank Jewett, Tom Bierds, or Sheryl Rose

Sun, May 12 ● Mothers Day

Tue, May 14 ● Dutchess County VFA meeting 8 PM with Pres Vincent Galvin, John “44-11” Kryger presentation

Wed, May 15 ● RCVFA Ladies Auxiliary meeting 8 PM with Pres Marilynn Lobbe at SW Johnson firehouse,

Garnerville, Annual Elections

● Safety Officers Assoc meets 7:30 PM with Pres Don Arterburn at 6-101 Mt Ivy Station

Thur, May 16 ● RCFCA meet 7:30 PM with Pres Harold Straut at SWJ #1, Bridge St, Garnerville Fri, May 17 ● EXPO opens at Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, PA

● Putnam County VFA installation Dinner at Lake Carmel, Rt 52 firehouse, Ed Butler, President

● Albany County VFA Annual Bowling tourney at Del Lanes in Elsmere 7 PM with buffet, Call

Marv Stanz 518-439-2224

● Southern NY VFA convention at Bay Shore, William Murray Pres, contact Frank Hutton

Sat, May 18 ● Hillburn Ladies Auxiliary 3rd Annual Street Fair on 5th Street, Hillburn 10 AM-3 PM, Contact

Eileen DeGraw 304-3697

● HV Blue Vest Annual Picnic and Elections at Hurleyville firehouse, 11 AM, Contact George H

Hill 845-832-7148, reservations $20.00

● US Armed Forces Day – Fly Your Flag!

● Wet Down at Congers FD, 6-11 PM for “3-Tanker” at No Harrison St Station

Sun, May 19 ● Annual Memorial Service of NJ & NY VFA 2 PM at the Bergen County Training Academy,

Darlington Rd, Mahwah, NJ, Pres Robert E Kirsch, Speaker Gordon W Wren Jr

● Bowl-O-Thon by Explorer Post 44, 1-4 PM at New City Bowl, No Main St, $16.00 advance,

$18.00 at door, Info call Chris 821-1433, Come support these Good Youths!

Tue, May 21 ● Ulster County VFA meets 8 PM at Bloomington

Thur, May 23 ● RC Fire Advisory Board meets 7:30 PM at FTC in Pomona, Chairman Frank Hutton

Mon, May 27 ● Memorial Day Observed, Fly Your USA Flag!

Tue, May 28 ● RC Fire District/Comm meeting 7:30 PM at Nanuet, Pres Evan DeVries

● Orange County VFA bi-monthly meeting 8 PM with Pres Jerry Galu at New Windsor firehall

Wed, May 29 ● RCVFA Board of Directors meeting 7:30 PM at Hillcrest with Chairman Chris Nau

● Deadline for articles for Trumpet

● Congers FD Golf Outing, Blue Hill Golf Course 8 AM SHARP Shotgun start, food provided @

The Castle, Raffle prizes, specialty hole, 50/50, $150.00 first 100 who pay play, Info Kevin 642-

6195 [email protected] or Keith 558-8077

Sat, Jun 1 ● Annual Dinner RCVFA Ladies Auxiliary at Lynch’s Rt 9W, Stony Point

● Moon Lite Bowling 8:30-11 PM, at Hi Tor Lanes, West Haverstraw hosted by Lady warren Hose

Co#5, $20.00 per

●2nd Annual Classic Car Show, Sloatsburg FD to benefit FF Sean Connell Cancer Treatments, at

Sloatsburg Community Field 10 AM-4 PM, Reg 9-10 AM $20.00, $5.00 spectator fee, $25.00

Vendors

Sun, Jun 2 ● Annual all-Faiths Memorial Service 7 PM at Rockland FTC, sponsored by RC Fire Advisory

Board, Frank Hutton, Chairman, Public Welcome, Uniforms Optional

Fri, Jun 7 ● NJ & NY VFA 100TH Year Convention, 8 PM AT St Joseph’s Hall, Sneden Place, Spring Valley

Sat, Jun 8 ● NY & NY VFA Parade 2 PM start in Pearl River, crossing state line to end & refreshment at the

Montvale, NJ firehouse field

Wed, Jun 12 ●RCV Fire Police Assoc meets 7:30 PM at Volunteer Hose Co#1, Suffern with Pres Mike Leitner

● Start of NYSAFC 107th Conference and EXPO at the Turning Stone Resort, Verona, NY, (Frank

“Skip” Sylvester of Ossining Pres) Free tickets from vendors, in Rockland contact Tom Bierds or

call 1-800-676*FIRE

Fri, Jun 14 ●Next RCVFA Next Meeting.7:30 PM at Valley Cottage firehouse, with Pres Paul Schlegel, “Hope

2 C U There 2!:

Future Events

Wed, Jun 26 ● Graduation of FF I and FF II at RCC with FASNY Pres James A Burns the Speaker To view this newsletter on line, please go to the following web site: http://www.co.rockland.ny.us/Fire/default.html

Thanks to Sheryl Rose, Nancy Baker, John Kryger and Andy Best

Please email Sheryl Rose with any Fire Department news, dates of events, fundraisers, etc. [email protected]

FROM THE

FIRE COORDINATOR’S OFFICE

I received the following late last month and thought that I would share it with the Trumpet

Readers;

“I wanted to you that I witnessed a vehicle at McDonalds, Nanuet on April 24, 2013 that had

crashed and rolled on it’s side with a woman trapped inside. Nanuet Fire Department did a super

job – after arriving they got the jaws of life out, cut the roof off and assisted getting her out without

missing a step. A smooth performance, to say the least. Everybody knew their job and no hesitation

at all. It was very comforting knowing that if I was in that situation I would be in really good hands.

And these guys to it for free! Kudos, to all Rockland County Firefighters!” Rick Meyer

I agree with Rick! Quality training and dedicated volunteer firefighters are a powerful

combination!