Special Announcements
2010 Company Inspection and Awards
The annual Company Inspection was conducted on May 8th. Firefighters spent many hours in the weeks leading up to the event getting the fire apparatus and equipment in inspection-ready condition. The results of the scoring (1st to 4th Place), conducted by independent judges, are as follows:
Truck 30
Engine 32
Engine 31
Squad 33
Fire Police Lieutenant Stephen R. Wright Receives the 2010 Kevin M. Shea Award
This year's recipient of the Kevin M. Shea Participation Award is no rookie. Having over thirty years of service and dedication to this organization, he is one of the reasons we are the "Pride of Bethlehem". This person, over the course of his career, has held various positions on the Company side, including serving as President for several years. He has truly put Elsmere's name out, not only in our county, but surrounding areas as well.
From being heavily involved in firematic organizations, running conventions, playing in a band and spearheading the County's R & R Committee, this person has accomplished more than a lot of us put together. The time and devotion that he has put in is what a true volunteer is, which is the same mindset that Kevin had. This person was one of Kevin's good friends.
This past year, he led the Company in fire call attendance (249 out of 376, or 66%). He also switched gears from his llong civil officer career to the fire line side, being elected Fire Police Lieutenant. I could go on and on, but we all know that without this individual, our Company probably wouldn't be where it is today.
So, this year's winner of the Kevin M. Shea Participation Award is Stephen R. Wright.
Chief William H. Webb, Jr.
Terence S. Hannigan Receives the 2010 Kenneth E. McNary Achievement Award
Terry Hannigan is a thirteen year veteran of the Elsmere Fire Department. He came to us with experience from a previous membership in Carmen Fire Department. He was also an Explorer for Niagara County Sheriff's Office. Terry has been an Emergency Medical Technician since he was seventeen years old. He worked for the Capital District Ambulance service while he put himself through law school. He graduated from Albany Law School in 1985. Terry has received several citations for assisting in the reversal of cardiac arrests.
Terry has acted as Counsel for the Elsmere Fire District for many years and was instrumental in reforming Line of Duty Death (LODD) benefit legislation. A number of fire and EMS families have benefited from his efforts, including the family of Chief Kevin M. Shea after his LODD in 2004. He is also a very active member of the Department's Public Education Committee.
He has served on the Town of Bethlehem 20/20 Committee, which is a Committee charged with studying Bethlehem's needs for the future. In the background, Terry has always made himself available to help fellow firefighters with legal questions or help with a legal issue.
The following were also recognized for their service to the Fire Company and District:
5 YEARS
Firefighters Donald Ballard, Chris Massie, Sr., Timothy Stark, Robert Symmons,
and Patrick Wickham
10 YEARS
Firefighters David Putnam and Scott Turner
25 YEARS
Chief William H. Webb, Jr., Timothy Haverly, and Richard Zigrosser
35 YEARS
Assistant Chief James Reagan and Fire Police Lieutenant Stephen R. Wright
40 YEARS
Fire Police Officer Michael Taylor
50 YEARS
Fire Police Officer and Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners Frederick C. Webster
Elsmere Fire Co. A, Inc. Elects Officers for 2010
The Elsmere Fire Co. A, Inc. held its annual election of officers on December 3, 2009.
The following were elected to office for terms beginning in 2010:
DISTRICT OFFICERS
William H. Webb, Jr.
Chief
James Reagan
First Assistant Chief
Frank Wickham
Second Assistant Chief
District Officers are nominated by the active firefighters and appointed by the Board of Fire Commissioners.
LINE OFFICERS
John Zboray
Captain
Robert Baldwin
First Lieutenant
Michael Moon
Second Lieutenant
Marc Futia
Third Lieutenant
Jeff Obernesser
Fourth Lieutenant
Steve Wright
Fire Police Lieutenant
CIVIL OFFICERS
James Trotta
President
Nancy Dearstyne
Vice President
Christopher Massie
Secretary
Robert Johnson
Treasurer
Matthew Grant
Quartermaster
John Murphy
Director (3 Year Term)
Rev. James Daley
Joseph Catalano
Anthony Morrell
Chaplains
2009 Company Inspection and Awards
The annual Company Inspection was conducted on May 9th. Firefighters spent many hours in the weeks leading up to the event getting the fire apparatus and equipment in inspection-ready condition. The results of the scoring (1st to 4th Place), conducted by independent judges, are as follows:
Truck 30
Engine 31
Engine 32
Squad 33
Firefighter Alan Antenucci Receives the 2009 Kevin M. Shea Award
Firefighter Alan Antenucci (on right) received the Kevin M. Shea Award, named in honor of Chief Kevin M. Shea who suffered a Line of Duty Death in January 2004. Firefighter Antenucci was cited for his superior knowledge of and assistance to the Department's Hazardous Materials Response program. Alan joined the Department in January 2006.
Captain John Zboray Receives the 2009 Kenneth E. McNary Achievement Award
Captain John Zboray (on right) was awarded the Kenneth E. McNary Achievement Award. The award is presented annually to an individual whose performance best exemplifies the characteristics of dedication, professionalism, and concern for fellow firefighters and who maintains a high level of commitment to the Elsmere Fire Company and the community. John joined the Elsmere Fire Company in March 1973. He served the Company as Vice-President, Lieutenant and Captain over a thirty-six year period. He has also been instrumental in the Company's hosting of Albany County and Hudson Mohawk Volunteer Firemen's Association conventions.
The following were also recognized for their service to the Fire Company and District:
5 YEARS
Firefighters James Foster, Tim Hannigan, Chad Hotaling, Shaun McAvoy,
Quartermaster Rich Holley, Lieutenant Michael Moon and Lieutenant Jeff Obernesser
10 YEARS
Firefighters Don Buist, Dan Sutherland, Dale Hassett, Brett Vincent, Mike Walsh,
Pire Police Officer William Vincent, Lieutenant Robert Baldwin, Lieutenant Marc Futia, and Director John Murphy
15 YEARS
Fire Police Officer Ariel Goodrich and Firefighter Stephen Sutter
20 YEARS
Assistant Chief Frank Wickham, President James Trotta, Firefighter Vince Thompson, and Fire Police Officers Richard Haverly and Joseph Angermeier
25 YEARS
Fire Police Officer Schuyler McCammon
30 YEARS
Director Paul Martin
35 YEARS
Commissioners John Brennan and Richard Webster,
and Secretary-Treasurer George Kaufman
Honorary Membership
The Rev. James Daley was granted Honorary Membership for his long and faithful service as Chaplain of the Elsmere Fire Company A, Inc.
Since 1982, Father Daley has been providing spiritual assistance and services to the members of the Elsmere Fire Company and their families.
(Photos Courtesy of Joseph Angermeier, Glenmont NY)
Elsmere Firefighters Visit Orange County Choppers
April 24, 2009
(Photos Courtesy of Tom Heffernan Sr., Glenmont NY)
Elsmere Firefighters Attend Lecture
"A Heroic Account of Rescue and Survival on 9-11-01"
presented by FDNY Battalion Chief Jay Jonas
On February 24, 2009 East Greenbush Fire Company Explorer Post 11 sponsored a lecture by FDNY Battalion Chief John A. (Jay) Jonas. He is currently assigned to Battalion 2 in Lower Manhattan. On September 11, 2001 Jay Jonas was the Captain of Ladder Co. 6 and was one of the first responding units to the World Trade Center. Jonas and his unit were trapped in Stairwell B when the North Tower collapsed. He and the 10 others that were with him were among the total of 14 who survived the collapse and their entrapment.
From Left: Firefighter James Hogan, Fire Police Officer Joseph Angermeier
and Assistant Chief Frank Wickham
From Left: Fire Police Officer Sky McCammon, Fire Police Lieutenant Stephen Wright,
Assistant Chief Frank Wickham, Fire Police Officer William Vincent,
FDNY Battalion Chief Jay Jonas, Firefighter James Hogan,
Fire Police Officers Joseph Angermeier, Michael Taylor and Mike Levin
(Photos Courtesy of Tom Heffernan Sr., Glenmont NY)
Elsmere Fire District and Elsmere Fire Co. A, Inc. Install 2009 Officers
January 17, 2009
Board of Fire Commissioners Chairman Frederick C. Webster (2nd from Right) installs Commissioners John A. Lutz (Left) and John E. Brennan (Right). Chief William H. Webb is in background.
Chairman Webster administers Oath of Office to Chief William H. Webb (Right) and Assistant Chief Frank Wickham (Center).
Chief Webb swears in Fire Line Officers (Right to Left) Captain John Zboray, Lieutenants Robert Baldwin, Marc Futia, Jeff Obernesser and Fire Police Lieutenant Steve Wright.
Chief Webb swears in Fire Company Board of Directors (Right to Left) President James Trotta, Secretary Donald Ballard, Treasurer Robert Johnson, Quartermaster Richard Holley and Directors John Murphy, Scott Travis and Paul Martin.
(Photos Courtesy of Joseph Angermeier, Glenmont NY)
Ice Storms Keep Volunteer Firefighters Busy
A winter ice storm that pounded the region has kept volunteer firefighters busy since late Thursday (12/11/08) evening. Volunteers manned the fire station since the start of the storm and responded to residents calls for assistance. Many firefighters worked around the clock without much sleep or rest for a couple of days. They were busy checking on downed power lines and pumping water from basements. From Thursday evening until the following Sunday at 5:00pm, volunteers responded to nearly 100 calls for assistance involving thousands of man-hours. Volunteers expect to continue responding to ice storm related incidents for the next several days.
Fire District Announces Changes to Board of Fire Commissioners in 2009
Commissioner John E. Brennan was re-elected to a five-year term on the Board of Fire Commissioners at an election conducted on December 9th, 2008. Commissioner Brennan's new term will expire on December 31, 2013. He has served on the Board of Fire Commissioners since 1984. Commissioner Brennan has been a member of the Elsmere Fire Company since September 1971. He served as Vice President from April 1973 until April 1978. In 1979, he was elected President of the Elsmere Fire Company and served in that capacity through 1980, and again in 1982. He has also served as an Albany County Fire Coordinator and is currently the Director of the Town of Bethlehem Emergency Management Office.
Commissioner George M. Kaufman has announced his resignation from the Board of Fire Commissioners effective at the end of 2008. He has been appointed to serve as the Fire District's part-time Administrator and Secretary-Treasurer effective January 1, 2009. Commissioner Kaufman's term would have expired on December 31, 2011. Mr. Kaufman joined the Elsmere Fire Company in December 1974 and has served in various capacities including Fire Lieutenant, Assistant Chief and Department Chief (1988-1992). He has served on the Board of Fire Commissioners since 1999.
 Firefighter John A. Lutz has been appointed, effective January 1, 2009, to fill the unexpired term of Commissioner Kaufman until December 31, 2009. John is the founder of Lutz Healthcare Consultants, LLC. Prior to that he was the Chief Executive Officer of Prime Care Physicians. John has over twenty-five years of experience in medical practices and hospital administration in both private and academic settings. John was also a founding member and President of the Cardiology Leadership Alliance and is a former Board member of the Cardiology Advocacy Alliance. In addition, John was a founding Board member of the Health Information Exchange of New York and served as its Finance Committee Co-Chair and Treasurer. He is a Fellow of the American College of Medical Practice Executives and the American College of Healthcare Executives. He received the latter organization's "1998 Young Healthcare Executive Regent's Award" and holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in hospital administration from Yale University. John completed an Administrative Fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital in 1986 and served on the Medicare Carriers' Advisory Committee for New York State from 1994 through 2004. He is active on several boards including the American Heart Association and Yale University Public Health Association. John joined the Elsmere Fire Company in March 2003 and continues as an active firefighter for the Elsmere Fire District.
Elsmere Firefighters Deliver Stuffed Animals to Childrens' Hospital
Left to Right: Firefighters Ralf Wiegand, Ann Austin, Bill Vincent, Fred Webster
(Photos Courtesy of Tom Heffernan Sr., Glenmont NY)
On Monday, November 3, 2008 Elsmere Firefighters Bill Vincent, Fred Webster, Ralf Wiegand and Ann Austin loaded up the departments pickup with brand new stuffed animals for delivery to the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY. The toys were generously donated by a local resident and Elsmere firefighters generously donated their time.
Bethlehem Supervisor Cunningham Recognizes Elsmere Firefighters
for their Life-Saving Efforts at October 8, 2008 Town Board Meeting
Chief William H. Webb
Firefighter Michael C. Walsh
Past Chief Edward J. Costigan
(Photos Courtesy of Tom Heffernan Sr., Glenmont NY)
Elsmere Fire Chief Named Albany County's Firefighter of the Year
Chief William H. Webb was named Albany County Volunteer Firemen's Association
Firefighter of the Year at their meeting held at the Fuller Road Fire Department, Colonie, NY on September 10, 2008.
(Photo Courtesy of George Kaufman, Glenmont NY)
Chief Webb joined the Elsmere Fire Company as a firefighter on June 27, 1985.
He was elected Fire Company Treasurer in October 1987. He served as a Fire Lieutenant from April 1989 through April 1995. In April 1995, he was elected to the position of Fire Captain. He served in this capacity until December 1997. Chief Webb was elected 2nd Assistant Chief in December 1997 and served in that capacity until December 2003, when he was promoted to the rank of 1st Assistant Chief. In February 2004, he was elected to fill the position of Chief, left vacant by the untimely line of duty death of Chief Kevin M. Shea.
Chief Webb continues to serve as the Department's Chief.
Chief Webb is a member of the Elsmere FAST Team and chairs the Fire Company's popular Fish Fry Dinner Committee, which many residents of the Town enjoy on four Friday evenings during February and March. He is also trained in Hazardous Materials Incident Command.
Chief Webb was commended for his brave actions during a fire at a local nursing home.
At 3:01am on December 17, 2007, he responded to a report of a structure fire in an elderly resident's room. As one of the first firefighters to arrive, Chief Webb was able to make his way through a smoke filled wing of the nursing home to the elderly resident's room. Finding that sprinklers had extinguished the fire involving the resident's clothing and surroundings, he was able to remove the seriously burned resident from danger and further injury with the assistance of Bethlehem Police.
Chief Webb also received an a Firefighter of the Year award at the
N.A. Blanchard Post No. 1040 on March 7, 2005 and March 3, 2008.
Elsmere Firefighters Perform Life-Saving CPR at Two Separate Emergencies
 On August 12th, mid-morning, Elsmere Firefighter and Past Chief Edward (Ned) J. Costigan took quick action to assist victims of a motor vehicle accident and revive an elderly patient using CPR while on vacation at Saranac Lake. He heard the unmistakable sounds of a motor vehicle accident and screaming on Route 3 while deploying a kayak in the waters of Saranac Lake. He returned to shore and rushed toward the scene of the accident. He found a serious head-on motor vehicle accident with vehicles smoking. He not only assisted other travelers in removing the occupants from the smoking vehicles, but was also able to triage a family of five from one vehicle, and revive an elderly female from the other vehicle who was unresponsive, by using a short burst of CPR prior to arrival of local EMS and firefighters. The elderly female victim, who was in critical condition at the Vermont Medical Center ICU, has now been upgraded to fair condition. Firefighter Costigan joined the Elsmere Fire Company in August, 1971 and served as Chief from 1998 through 2003.
Only nine days later, on August 21st at about 12:30pm, Elsmere Firefighter Michael C. Walsh was leaving his neighborhood when he heard the call come out for "a man down, unknown"in his vicinity. The dispatcher said "the patient was believed to be not breathing" Firefighter Walsh parked his car and ran into the house. The 58 year old victim was inside. His wife was on the phone with the 911 dispatcher. Mike did an initial assessment of the patient who was unresponsive with no pulse and no respirations and told the 911 dispatcher what he had just obtained by a quick assessment. The patient was lying in a pool of his own blood because when he had collapsed he sustained a laceration to the head. Mike told the dispatcher he was about to initiate CPR and hung up the phone. He gave the patient two rescue breaths and began compressions. He continued chest compressions even after EMS arrived while they started an IV line and hooked up an AED. After about 11-12 minutes of CPR and 3 shocks on the AED, rescue crews received a cardiac rhythm and packed the patient up and transported him to St. Peter’s Hospital. The patient’s wife called Mike and thanked him for saving her husband’s life. The doctors indicated that without question, Mike’s early response made a difference between life and death, as he saved the patient about seven minutes of downtime while he provided oxygen to his brain. The patient was in a medically induced coma for 2-3 days and came home from the hospital after 8 days. He is alive and well today. Firefighter Walsh joined the Elsmere Fire Company in August, 1999.
(Photos Courtesy of Joseph Angermeier, Glenmont NY)
Oath Room in O'Brien Federal Building Named for Sgt. Shawn P. Martin USMC
(Photos Courtesy of Tom Heffernan Sr., Glenmont NY)
View Albany Times Union Article
2008 Company Inspection and Awards
The annual Company Inspection was conducted on May 10th. Firefighters spent many hours in the weeks leading up to the event getting the fire apparatus and equipment in inspection-ready condition. The results of the scoring (1st to 4th Place), conducted by neighboring fire department officials, are as follows:
Engine 32
Squad 33
Truck 30
Engine 31
Captain Vincent Receives the 2008 Kevin M. Shea Award
(Photo Courtesy of Tom Heffernan Sr., Glenmont NY)
Captain Brett Vincent received the Kevin M. Shea Award, named in honor of Chief Kevin M. Shea who suffered a Line of Duty Death in January 2004. Captain Vincent was cited for his superior drill and alarm attendance in addition to his willingness to supervise and conduct the annual in-house fit-testing of active firefighters. Captain Vincent joined the Department in November 1998. He served as Fire Lieutenant from December 2003 until he was elected Captain in December 2007.
Firefighter James Hogan Presents the 2008 Kenneth E. McNary Achievement Award
(Photo Courtesy of Tom Heffernan Sr., Glenmont NY)
Firefighter Robert C. White was posthumously awarded the Kenneth E. McNary Achievement Award. The award is presented annually to an individual whose performance best exemplifies the characteristics of dedication, professionalism, and concern for fellow firefighters and who maintains a high level of commitment to the Elsmere Fire Company and the community. Firefighter White joined the Elsmere Fire Company in November 1968. He served the Company as Secretary, Fire Lieutenant, Vice-President and President over a twenty-two year period. He also chaired the Company's Albany County Volunteer Fireman's Association Convention Committee in 1982. Sadly, Firefighter White passed away during his 40th year of active membership in the Elsmere Fire Company.
The following were also recognized for their service to the Fire Company and District:
1 YEAR
Firefighters Charles Furman, Eli Gill, Joseph Keller, William Yates
5 YEARS
Firefighters Charles Dawson, John Lutz, Robert Madeo, Michael Wright
10 YEARS
Firefighters Eric Bettinger, Robert McElroy, Mark Platel, Kenneth Zigrosser
25 YEARS
Firefighters Scott Anson, Donald Glastetter, John Pregent, Jr.
30 YEARS
Firefighter Daniel McMahon
35 YEARS
Lieutenant John Zboray
40 YEARS
Firefighter Jerome Smith
45 YEARS
Fire Police Richard Brown
55 YEARS
Firefighter Oliver Palmer
Fire Commissioners Begin Special Training
Fire Commissioners of the Elsmere Fire District are now receiving specialized training as required by Chapter 242 of the Laws of 2006 (Section 176-e of Town Law). The new law states that effective January 22, 2007 each commissioner of a fire district must attend and successfully complete a State-approved training course within 270 days of taking office.
This training includes instruction in Fire District Management, Financial Administration, Conflicts of Interest & Ethics, Internal Controls & Detection of Fraud/Abuse, Procurement & Disposition of Fire District Assets, and Travel Procedures & Policies.
Commissioner Richard S. Webster, who was re-elected to a five-year term beginning 1/1/08, successfully completed this training in Schenectady, NY on February 9, 2008.
2008 Firefighter of the Year
Chief William H. Webb
Chief William H. Webb was named Elsmere Fire Co. A, Inc.'s Firefighter of the Year at a ceremony hosted by the Nathaniel Adams Blanchard American Legion Post No. 1040 on March 3rd.
(Photo Courtesy of Tom Heffernan Sr., Glenmont NY)
Chief Webb joined the Elsmere Fire Company as a firefighter on June 27, 1985.
He was elected Fire Company Treasurer in October 1987. He served as a Fire Lieutenant from April 1989 through April 1995. In April 1995, he was elected to the position of Fire Captain. He served in this capacity until December 1997. Chief Webb was elected 2nd Assistant Chief in December 1997 and served in that capacity until December 2003, when he was promoted to the rank of 1st Assistant Chief. In February 2004, he was elected to fill the position of Chief, left vacant by the untimely line of duty death of Chief Kevin M. Shea.
Chief Webb continues to serve as the Department's Chief.
Chief Webb is a member of the Elsmere FAST Team and chairs the Fire Company's popular Fish Fry Dinner Committee, which many residents of the Town enjoy on four Friday evenings during February and March. He is also trained in Hazardous Materials Incident Command.
Chief Webb was commended for his brave actions during a fire at a local nursing home.
At 3:01am on December 17, 2007, he responded to a report of a structure fire in an elderly resident's room. As one of the first firefighters to arrive, Chief Webb was able to make his way through a smoke filled wing of the nursing home to the elderly resident's room. Finding that sprinklers had extinguished the fire involving the resident's clothing and surroundings, he was able to remove the seriously burned resident from danger and further injury with the assistance of Bethlehem Police.
Chief Webb also received this award at Post No. 1040 on March 7, 2005.
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