by David Flint
At the annual Installation Dinner on Saturday, January 7, the officers of the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department were sworn in this year by Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino. [private]Following administration of the oath of office, Jimino expressed gratitude to all members for all the time they put in year round not only in responding to calls but also in training, drills, fundraising and leadership tasks. “On a cold night like this,” she said, “when the siren goes off I can pull the blankets up and snuggle in my nice warm bed, but for you it’s a different story. So don’t ever think your work goes unnoticed or unappreciated. We appreciate it very much.”
As a token of that appreciation, Jimino presented a certificate of Congratulations and Appreciation to Chief Jonathan Angley. She noted too that the County is working on upgrading radio systems and dispatch systems to support the local emergency responders, continuing a tradition of support initiated years ago by Stephentown’s Henry Zwack when he was County Executive.
County EMS Coordinator Amy Manchester, filling the role of MC again this year, introduced guests who included: Rensselaer County Sheriff Pat Russo, Public Safety Director Kelly Paslow, County Fire Car 2 Commander William Gummer and Battalion 5-0 Commander Cyril Grant. Representatives of neighboring fire and ambulance departments included Fire Chief William Osterhout, Assistant Chief Stanley Pettibone and Ambulance Captain Tammy Osterhout from Berlin, Ambulance Captain Andrea Chittenden from Petersburgh, Ambulance Captain Mitch Levinn and Car 2 Commander Jason Guilbeault from Hoags Corners, Fire Chief Jake Roberts from Hancock and Assistant Chief Greg Gilliland from New Lebanon.
Active Service Awards went to Paul Sykes, Sr. for 65 years; Douglas Griswold for 50 years; Jonathan Koepp and Cyril Grant for 35 years; Chuck Riccardi and Joey Zwack for 20 years; Patty Goodermote for 15 years; Chris Headley, Mark Mazzeo and Michael Zwack for 10 years; and Jon Angley, Justin Cameron, Shawn Denue and Ian Lanier for 5 years.
Chief Jonathan Angley said that the Department had responded to 281 calls in 2016. Rik McClave was recognized for responding to over 150 calls; Aaron Burdick and Bill Jennings for over 100 calls; Lynda Lewis and Tammy Madden for over 75 calls; and Jonathan Angley, Bryan Barnum, Brett Chmura and Daniel Ebbert for over 50 calls.
The following officers were sworn in by County Executive Jimino:
Chief – Jonathan Angley
Assistant Chief – Fire – Rowland McClave III
Assistant Chief – EMS – Lynda Lewis
Captain-Fire – Bryan Barnum
Captain-EMS – Julie Joyner
Captain-Fire Police – Alex Haley
Lieutenant-Fire – Stephen Whitman
Lieutenant- Fire Police – Ian Lanier
Safety Officer – Charles Riccardi
President – Henry Zwack
Vice President – Brett Chmura
Secretary – Tammy Whitman
Treasurer – William Jennings
Director – Alexander Haley
Director – Robert Adler
Director – Frank Zwack, Sr.
Director – Charles Hoffman
Director – Christopher Headley
Fire District #1 Officers
Commissioner – Richard Burgess
Commissioner – Doug Griswold
Commissioner – Lewis Sharp
Commissioner – Frank Zwack, Sr.
Commissioner – John Linton
Treasurer – Andrew Maguire
Secretary – Patricia Goodermote
The Dinner was served by Cariddi Catering. Appreciation of the Department was expressed to Heather Ann Ryder, Tammy Madden, Laura Ryder, Allison Ryder and Brett Chmura for organizing the Dinner, to Richard Beckwith of Hilltown Pork who donated meat for the Dinner and to David Kilventon for donation of produce. [/private]