The celebration dinner was held on Saturday evening
In September 1922 four fire companies were consolidated, and the result was the Highland Falls Fire Department.
These companies were, North End Hose, Prospect Hill Hose, Goodsell Hook & Ladder and Bald Rock Hook & Ladder.
The newly formed company inherited one piece of apparatus, a 1916 Model T chassis equipped with a 300 gallon tank and a Hale pump, some hose and two ladders.
The central alarm system was sounded by the ringing of a huge bell mounted above the Town Hall. The alarm was relayed by the use of salvaged locomotive wheels suspended from wooden frames. Chained to each frame was a six pound sledge hammer for striking the wheel, causing the alarm to be heard throughout the Village. The relay alarms were located at Roe Park, West St and Lake St.
Without benefit of modern communication systems a fireman responding late had difficulty locating and getting to the scene of the fire before the action was over.
Fast forward 100 years, and the Highland Falls Fire Department is still alive and well!
On Saturday evening, members, community residents and fire officials from all over the region were on hand at the fire house to celebrate the HFFD’s 100th anniversary, as well as the ceremonial installation of the department’s current officers.
HFFD President Lynn Heuler called this year “a huge milestone” for the HFFD, and gratefully accepted proclamations from representatives of Senator James Skoufis and Assemblyman Colin Schmitt.
As he prepared to swear in the officers, Vini Tankasali, Orange County’s Deputy Fire Commissioner, thanked all of the firefighters in attendance, and those who came before them, for the 100 years of service to the community, the county and the country.
“A lot has changed,” he said, “from the number of calls you respond to, to the types of fires you see, to the technology you use to fight the fires. Training has changed too … 100 years ago there really wasn’t any training, now it’s tremendous.”
He noted that the commitment of firefighters, particularly a volunteer firefighter, is incredible, and thanked their families for their service as well.
“When a person joins a fire department, their family joins too,” he said.
County Legislator Laurie Tautel called the service of firefighters “selfless” and thanked them for “being there for those in need and for our community as a whole”. She noted that many in the room probably had family members who were very early members of the HFFD or those earlier local companies — “thank you for carrying on the tradition”, she said.
Heuler and Chief Steve Suarez also accepted proclamations from the Hudson Valley Firemen’s Association and Firefighters Association of New York State.
“Whenever that alarm has sounded for the last 100 years, the HFFD has gone in service to their neighbors,” Eric Orr, a director of the Hudson Valley Firemen’s Association said. “You have won the praise and respect of your community.”
Also in the audience at the dinner were representatives of the West Point, Fort Montgomery and Stony Point Fire Departments, Highland and Storm King Engine Companies, and a few local leaders. Maria Pelella, from the HFFD Auxiliary, offered an invocation before the dinner — “send down your blessings on your servants who so generously give of themselves to help others,” she prayed.
And while the 100th anniversary celebration was prominent, so was the giving of awards at the dinner. The department skipped installation dinners for the last two years due to COVID.
There were many awards given out, including:
Firefighter of the Year
2019- Jacob Sibley
2020 – Emily Green
2021 – Bill Solan
Rookie of the Year
2019 – Emily Green
2020 – Courtney Menches
2021 – Hannah Nyberg
Top Responders 2021
Bill Solan, Emily Green, Arla James, Nick Rush, Lynn Heuler
President’s Award
2019 – Bill Solan
2020 – Jacob Sibley
2021 – Arla James
Service Awards
35 years – Pat Kelly
25 years – John Rush & Anthony Stevens
20 years – Harvey Green & Bill Solan
5 years – Jacob Sibley & Nicholas Rush
