Installation dinner featured awards and recognition
For the 97th year in a row, the Highland Falls Fire Department has sworn in it’s newest officers, and handed out awards to those department members who went ‘above and beyond’ in 2018.
The department’s annual installation dinner was held at Mountainville Manor on April 13, and a full room of HFFD firefighters, representatives of other departments (Storm King, West Point, Fort Montgomery, Stony Point, and Highland Engine), elected officials and guests.
The highlight of the evening was when the awards were given out.
Arla James was honored as Chief Erik Smith’s firefighter of the year.
“She’s not your typical firefighter,” Smith said, “and she wasn’t really sure fire service was for her. She was a solid exterior firefighter, and always showed up to events. But she trained hard, and finished Firefighter 1, and we are lucky to have her.”
Smith said James’ “enthusiasm within the department is contagious”.
His second award was for ‘meritorious service’ and went to Ryan Gibson, who is no longer with the department because he is in the Prince William County Virginia Fire Academy.
A five-year officer with the HFFD, and a former ‘Rookie of the Year’, top responder and ‘Firefighter of the Year’, Smith told Gibson “we miss you, but we are proud of you”.
A third award from Smith went to former chief and a senior interior firefighter, Pat Kelly, as well as to his wife Marilyn. Smith told a story of how the Kellys went above and beyond to help an ill neighbor.
“Pat could have easily hung up his helmet years ago,” Smith said, “but he’s always available to help us. His knowledge is invaluable.”
And finally, the ‘Rookie of the Year’ award went to Jake Sibley, who Smith said is ‘following in his father’s footsteps as a firefighter.
Length of service awards were also given out: Jim DiSalvo, Clarissa Marvin and Lynn Rush all have been with the department five years; Andrew Patterson and Barbara ‘Charlie’ Murphy ten years; Erik Smith 15 years; Billy O’Dell 20 years; Angie Suarez 25 years; Jerry Galu 30 years; and Kenny Conley 45 years. Each were presented with certificates from Orange County’s legislature and fire service department, Senator James Skoufis and Assemblyman Colin Schmitt.
Top responders awards went to: Arla James, Jake Sibley, Steve Suarez and Ken Conley.
Outgoing President Fran Galu didn’t give out individual awards, but had a small token of appreciation for each of the active firefighters, as a thanks to them for their support over the last two years.
“It was a pleasure to be your president,” she said.
Also at the event, Ladies Auxiliary President MaryLou Conley presented the fire department members with the auxiliary’s annual gift, a podium and microphone set for the fire house.
The officers for 2019 were sworn in by the county’s Battalion 4 deputy coordinator, Mike Mattausch. They are:
Firematic: Chief Erik Smith, Assistant Chief Steve Suarez, Captain John Rush, 1st Lieutenant Jesse Marvin, 2nd Lieutenant Clarissa Marvin and Mascot Avery Waufle.
Administrative: President Lynn Rush, Vice President James DiSalvo, Treasurer Clarissa Marvin and Property Officer Anthony Stevens.
Board of Directors: Joe McCormick (chairman), Patrick Kelly, Kenneth Conley, Jesse Marvin, Erik Smith, John Rush, Harvey Green and Steve Suarez.
In his remarks prior to swearing in the officers, Mattausch congratulated Chief Erik Smith on his recent promotion to battalion chief in the FDNY.
In a final tribute of the evening, Highland Falls Mayor Joe D’Onofrio presented Chief Smith and President Rush with a plaque honoring the long-time service to the village by the HFFD. The two fire department officials thanked him and the Village Board for the recognition, with Smith noting that he appreciates the support the board gives to the HFFD.
