History of the East Schodack Fire Company, Inc.
by Gary VanValkenburgh
Company Historian
In 1927 with the steady growth of new homes in the East Schodack community, a concerned group of citizens started to discuss the idea of organized fire protection.
On March 10th, 1930, a group of these citizens met to discuss some form of organized fire protection for the community. By the end of this meeting the East Schodack Volunteer Firemen was founded, with Frank Merry as President and William Proper as Chief. Of the citizens attending this meeting 14 declared an interest in joining the organization.
The first pieces of apparatus were a 1916 American LaFrance and an early 1900’s hand drawn chemical cart. Prior to the building of a firehouse, they were stored in a barn owned by Chief Proper on County Route 7 (currently the Buckbee House) and also for a time in the rear of the Recreation Club on East Hill Road in the Village. With only a couple of cars available to members to tow the hand cart to fires, members would sometimes have to pull the cart by hand to the scene of the fire.
On October 27th, 1930, citizens would form the East Schodack Fire District #1. They elected Commissioners John Hunter, Ira Payne, Frank Merry, Merton Garrison and Edward Morey. Earl Hicks was appointed Secretary/Treasurer.
Their first order of business was a referendum for $5,000 dollars to purchase land and build a firehouse. They also needed to purchase much needed equipment for the fire company. Land on Route 150 (at the intersection of County Route 7 next to the Auer farm) was donated by the Hicks family. The construction of the firehouse started almost immediately by members of the company. The firehouse would have two bays and a unique cistern below the floor which holds approximately 10,000 gallons of water. This cistern provided water for fire protection in the center of the village. The fire house was completed in October of 1931 and served as the home of the Fire Company for 45 years.
On February 9, 1931, the first alarm of the East Schodack Volunteer Firemen was at the residence of Samuel Samoritz. The fire started from a defective flue. It had burned through the roof, and when the apparatus arrived, was beginning to climb the side of the building. With fast work the firemen extinguished the blaze. One charge of chemical was used.
In November of 1934 the East Schodack Volunteer Firemen would sponsor a community band which would be known as the East Schodack Volunteer Fire Company Band. The band would accompany them at parades and participate in local band concerts, all while raising funds for the company. The band lasted 12 years and disbanded in 1946.
On January 23rd, 1935, the Fire Company held its first Installation Banquet at the Recreation Club in the Village. 180 people attended and were served a roast beef dinner, which cost $1.00 per person. It would not be until the late 1950’s that an annual Installation Banquet would be held each year to formally install the officers.
During the 1940’s and up through the mid 1960’s the firemen would hold Company clam steams, picnics and dinners for the members. These outings were always “stag”, and were held at Lucey’s Grove, Red Oaks, or at the Al Carhart residence. Some years they would hold three or more outings in one year. From the late 1960’s to today an annual picnic has been held for members and is now a gathering of all members and their families.
During the early 1940’s several company members would be called on to serve their Country in World War II. The members not serving would become very active in blood donor groups and civil defense, where they would practice black out drills at the firehouse and in the community. In 1943 the fire company and Men’s Club of East Schodack erected a wooden monument in the shape of an open book, which displayed the names of service men in the armed forces who resided in the fire district. It was placed in front of the firehouse for several years. Its whereabouts today is not known, but a committee has started to recreate this monument at the current firehouse.
In 1939 a telephone was installed in Chief Proper’s house to receive fire calls. Soon after, a siren was installed atop the firehouse which was wired to a button at the firehouse and Chief Proper’s home. In the mid 1950’s two additional phones and buttons were installed; one in the assistant Chief’s house and one in the General Store. When a call was received whoever answered the call would stay on the phone after the caller hung up to relay the information to the firehouse and blow the siren, when someone at the firehouse picked up the phone, they would then write the location of the call on the notebook next to the phone so other fireman arriving after the trucks had responded would know were the call was. This system would stay in place up through the early 1970’s when a private telephone answering company i nEast Greenbushwas hired to answer and dispatch the calls. In the years following, our phone was moved to the Rensselaer County Communication Center in Troy and we were dispatched directly from there. In the1990’s the county would implement the 911 system, bringing us to where we are today.
In July of 1942 a referendum was passed to purchase a fire truck and other needed equipment. In November 1942 a used 1940 Chevrolet truck was purchased along with a front mount pump; the truck would be assembled and painted locally. In April 1943 the truck was placed in service. Over the years this truck affectionately became known as “Bertha” and was in active service until 1982 when it was sold.
In May of 1949 the company became Incorporated, and the name changed to the East Schodack Fire Company, Inc.
In November of 1952 a referendum for $2,800 dollars was passed to purchase a tanker truck and equipment needed to outfit it. A used 1942 Mack Oil truck with an 1140 gal tank was purchased from Carpinello Oil inRensselaer. A pump and needed firefighting equipment was purchased from the W.S.Darley Fire Equipment Co. The truck was sent to the Maxam Motor Company in Middleboro,Massachusetts for assembly; the total cost was approximately $2,500 dollars. This truck was taken out of service in the 1961 and sold for $1500.
William Proper
In 1959 the Fire Company solicited local women to form an auxiliary for the company. Their purpose was to aid the fire company members in fund raising activities, and provide firefighters with refreshments at fire calls. This organization would be formed under the incorporation of the fire company. The group would elect its own officers and members. The president and board of directors of the East Schodack Fire Company, Inc., would ultimately be in charge of this group.
On November 30, 1959, a group of interested women, along with members of the East Schodack Fire Company and members of the East Greenbush Fire Company Auxiliary would meet for the reason of forming a ladies auxiliary for the East Schodack Fire Company. After much discussion it was decided an auxiliary would be formed and be know as the East Schodack Fire Company Auxiliary. It voted that Gerry Sunderland be the acting president and that Lorraine Kaufman be the acting secretary. President Sunderland appointed May Senrick, Pat Martin, and Shirley Aurand to the nominating committee and to present a slate of officers for 1960. The following were elected: Gerry Sunderland, President; Lillian Willis, Vice President; Margaret Trossbach, Treasurer; Lorraine Kaufman, Secretary; and Lisette Auer, Historian. Of the local women who attended this meeting 23 became Charter members. This group of women quickly became a very active part of the fire company, providing firefighters with refreshments at fire calls and holding their famous annual auctions at the old firehouse and Recreation Club, as well as conducting other fund raisers. In later years they would host dinners in the fire hall and become best known for their Chicken and Biscuit dinners. The money raised over the years was used to purchase both fire fighting and first aid equipment for the company. The Auxiliary was disbanded in 2010.
Rosie O’Neill, auxilary member at a local parade
In 1960 a referendum was passed to purchase a new fire truck for $15,000 dollars to replace the 1942 Mack. The truck a 1960 Ford held 1000 gallons of water and had a 750 gpm pump TA-4 was placed in service in 1961, refurbished in 1977 and was retired and sold in 1986.
In 1969 Chief Leonard Peter realized the need for members to respond to day time calls. He approached the fire company members and the fire commissioners with the idea of recruiting women into the company. The chief got the go ahead from both the members and commissioners and put out a letter to the women in the fire district to see what they thought. It was within a short period of time that 10 women showed their interest in joining the company as active members. These women trained alongside the men and assisted at calls during their six month probationary period. All these women would pass their probationary training and go on to become active members, ready to fill the ranks during the day when most of the men were outside the area at work. Women firefighters and inactive members have come to play a crucial role in the fire company today, holding several administrative positions (yes, we have a woman as vice president), as well as line officer positions (not Chief yet).
In 1974 the District started plans to purchase land and build a new firehouse. Land along side the existing firehouse owned by Thomas Auer was considered but after some consideration a parcel of land on Route 150 North of Burden Lake Road was purchased from Mr. V. Matulis. Construction on the new firehouse was started and was completed in September of 1976; the cost was approximately $110,000.
In 1970 the District purchased a 1970 Ford built by Pierce/Thibault Fire Apparatus Company. The truck E-90(12-1) was placed in service in 1971 and was retired and sold in 1991.
In 1979 Chief Michael Farley, along with other members of the company, saw a growing need to provide first aid assistance to our district residents prior to the arrival of the transporting ambulance. In some areas of our district it took up to 30 minutes from the time of call for an ambulance to arrive. After some discussion the East Schodack First Aid Squad was formed. They appointed Beverley Buckbee and Jean Schweigert as Lieutenants to organize the group and establish a set of standard operating guidelines (SOGs). At first, the members used their own vehicles to respond to all medical emergency calls. The company soon purchased a used 1979 Dodge mini pumper from the Kingston,NY Fire Dept., which was used to respond to these calls. Today the squad has a 2001 Marion First Response vehicle that can hold up to five members and is staffed with several EMTs. They are well respected in the EMS community for their quick response times and professionalism.
In 1981 the Newsletter was started by David Krebs. It would serve as a means of communication to all members between meetings and allow those who could not attend to keep up with the current affairs of the fire company. As you can see it started off being typed on Dave’s Underwood typewriter and would later give in to the computer age making the newsletter much easier to write and read. The newsletter would include the weather from Dave’s East Hill weather Observatory, the Chief’s Corner, Ladies Auxiliary news and a social section called “The Local Scene”. The Newsletter is still published today, although the editors have changed a few times over the years, Dave remains their mentor.
In 1981 a used 1957 International/Orian fire truck was purchased from the Mahopac, NY Fire Company. It was retired from service in 1994 and sold.
In 1983 the company acquired a 1967 Jeep from the National Guard. Fire company members refurbished this vehicle into a Brush Truck for use off the road where the larger trucks could not go. This truck was retired from service in the early 90s and sold to a fire company in Northern Vermontand still in service in 2010.
In 1985 the District purchased a 1985 Grumman fire truck. With the purchase of this truck the District Commissioners would start a 20 year truck replacement program, replacing a truck every five years. This truck was retired from service in 2005 and sold.
In 1987 the District purchased 1979 Dodge/Pierce Mini Pumper from theKingston,NYFire Department to be used as an EMS First Response Vehicle. This truck was retired in 2001 and sold.
In the 1990’s the fire company acquired a used Zodiac inflatable boat from a local resident and equipped it with a used outboard motor. All the necessary safety and rescue equipment was purchased to allow this boat to serve the community. Later a new Zodiac boat and motor was purchased with grant money. This boat is still in service today and has been called on county wide to assist in water rescues.
Rescue Boat 12
responds to any water emergency or ice rescue. The Unit carries water rescue equipment in warm weather and ice rescue equipment in cold weather. The 2004 Mercury 12’6″ inflatable boat has a 25 horsepower outboard Mercury engine.
In 1990 the District purchased a 1990 International/Quality fire truck. This truck is due to be retired in 2011 at which time it will be sold to the Taborton, N.Y. Fire Company.
Engine 12-1
First Due Truck for all Structure Fires, Car Fires, and Wires Down.
1990 International/Quality
1000 GPM/1000 Gal Tank.
4 man cab
Carries 1200′ of 4″ hose
4 1 3/4″preconnected hand lines
In 1992 the company acquired a used 1985 4 wheel drive GMC pickup. Members would completely refurbish this truck for use at brush fires and traffic accidents; it also serves to tow the rescue Boat and ATV.
Utility 12 (U-12)
Responds to all grass fires, traffic accidents, it also tows the ATV and boat trailers.
1985 Chevrolet 1 1/4 ton Pickup (military surplus)
100 Gal slide in skid unit with 65 GPM pump
Carries 200′ of booster hose
200′ 1″ forestry hose
150′ 1 1/2 hose
Plus collapsible Indian tanks, broom, rakes, shovels, and a chain saw.
In 1994 the District purchased a 1994 International/Laverne fire truck.
Engine 12-7
Second Due to all Fires, Water Supply,
and goes to all Stand-Bys, and Mutual
Aid Fires.
1994 International/Laverne
1250GPM/ 1000 Gal tank
4 man cab
Carries 1200′ of 4″ hose
4 1 3/4″preconnected hand lines.
Also Carries 2100 gal Fold-A-Tank
400 GPM floating portable pump
500 GPM portable pumps.
In 2001 the district purchased a 2002 Ford/Marion First response Vehicle.
First Response 12- FR-12
Handles All EMS calls, traffic accidents, and rescues.
2002 Ford F-550/Marion
5 Man Cab
Carries all BLS EMS supplies.
Also equipped with a 10kw hydraulic generator
3,000 watt Command light tower.
Two-750 watt scene lights
Two-750 watt tripod lights.
In 2005 the Company received a grant to purchase an ATV. This vehicle allows firefighter and EMS personal easier access to off road emergencies. This vehicle has been called on county wide to assist in off road emergencies.
ATV 12
Responds to grass fires, searches or any call that requires off road response.
Unit is capable of carrying a stokes basket for off road rescues.
2005 Polaris Ranger 4×4
In 2007 the District purchased a 2006 American Lafrance Engine Rescue.
Engine Rescue-12(ER-12)
Third Due Truck for all structure fires,
also goes to all mutual fire, first due to all rescues and traffic accidents.
2006 American LaFrance Eagle SE
1500 GPM/1000 Gal tank
6 Man Cab
Carries 1200′ 4″ hose
Three preconnected 1 3/4″ hand lines
Two Holmatro power units, one electric (mounted) and one gas (portable).
Also a Holmatro spreader, cutter, combo tool, and two rams.
a 15kw Onan hydraulic generator
Wil-burt 6,000 watt night scan light tower.
1,000 watt brow light.
Two-750 watt scene lights.
Two-750watt tripod lights.
Fire Company Charter members; Frank Merry, William Proper, James VanDoesen Sr., Cornelius Snook, Fred Hunter, Milford Gerlack, George Link, Lester Morey.
Fire Company Honorary Charter Members; Charles Poyneer, William Richards, Merton Garrison, Edward Morey, John Hunter Sr., Benjamin Allen Sr..
President of the Fire Company:
Frank Merry 1930-1933
Fred Hunter 1933-1935
Robert Hunter Sr. 1935-1942
Erwin Babcock 1942-1944
John Willis 1944-1946
Adolph Petsch 1946-1947
Maurice Steinberg 1947-1948
StanleyKrebs 1948-1950
Earl Donnelly 1950-1951
Melvin Cook 1951-1951(June)
Raymond Moore 1951(June)-1958
Charles Senrick 1958-1959
Leonard Peter 1959-1960
Warren Alexander 1960-1961
Russell Beal 1961-1969
Robert Freeman 1969-1972
Robert Martin 1972-1975
Robert VanBlarcom 1975-1977
David Morris 1977-1978
Vincent Cardella 1978-1980
David Krebs 1980-1982
Charles Buckbee 1982-1983
Robert Granfors 1983-1986
Andrew Nolan 1986-1987
Robert Granfors 1987-1988
Jan Peterson 1988-1995
Michael Buckbee 1995-1999
Robert Granfors 2000-2001
Shawn Masters 2001-2009
Allison Signor 2009-current
Chief of Fire Company;
William Proper 1930-1947
Arthur Krebs 1947-1960
Albert Aurand 1960-1968
Leonard Peter 1968-1975(April)
Vincent Cardella 1975(April)-1975
Douglas Farley 1975-1979
Michael Farley 1979-1982
John Schweigert 1983-1988
Kevin Ostrander 1989-1990
John Schweigert 1991-1998
Frank Curtis 1999-2004
Steven Schweigert 2005-current
Fire District Commissioners;
*John Hunter 1930-1951
Ira Payne 1930-1933
Frank Merry 1930-1937
*Merton Garrison 1930-1948
Edward Morey 1930-1931
James VanDoesen Sr. 1932-1940
Ervin Babcock 1934-1957
William Proper 1938-1940
*Clifford Farley 1941-1965
Edward Henning 1943-1944
William Proper 1944-1963
Arthur Krebs 1949-1963
*Albert Carhart 1952-1960
*Charles Senrick 1958-1976
Harvey Manclow 1960-1961
Raymond Moore 1962-1971
William Masters 1963-1967
Albert Carhart 1964-1970
William Saganich 1965-1972
*Michael Farley 1972-1975
Russell Beal 1972-1972
Joseph Phibbs 1973-1976
Robert Freeman 1973-1983
William Saganich 1975-1976
*John Lamboy 1976-current
Leonard Peter 1976-1983
Vincent Cardella 1977-1996
Michael Farley 1983-1991
David Bushey 1984-1984
Henry Skarzynski 1984-1992
Douglas Farley 1984-1995
*Michael Buckbee 1992-current
David Tremont 1993-1998
Gary VanValkenburgh 1996-current
Kevin Ostrander 1997-current
John Schweigert 1999-2010
Shawn Masters 2010-current
*=Chairman
Fire Company Auxiliary Charter Members; Lizette Auer, Mabel Link, May Senrick, Beverly Farley, Jean Bardin, Margaret Trossbach, Jane Staiger, Flora Noreen, Mae Hertzman, Claire Treat, Gerry Sunderland, Ruth Krebs, Shirley Aurand, Pat Martin, Mary Perra, Lillian Willis, Joan Rate, Zaida Sumer, Ester Krebs, Emma Ackroyd, Marion Cardella, Lorraine Kaufman.
First Women Firefighters October 20, 1969;
Beverly Farley
Beverly Masters
Beverly Buckbee
Barbara Martin
Barbara Aptt
Barbara Valle
Barbara VanBlarcom
Patricia Martin
Rose Nusbaum
Marge Secor
May Senrick
First Aid Squad Charter Members 1979:
Beverly Buckbee
Jean Schweigert
Lois Trossbach
Robert Trossbach
Dorothy Morris
David Morris
Rose O’Neill
Arthur O’Neill
Henry Skarzynski
LorraineSkarzynski
Gary VanValkenburgh
Gene VanValkenburgh II
Douglas Farley
Michael Farley
Nancy Edwards
Lou Cardella
David Krebs
Kelly Krebs
Richard Probst
Lewis Flint
Curtis Field
Kevin Ostrander
Mark Secor
David Tremont
Firefighter of the Year award;
1980 Gary VanValkenburgh
1980 Jean Schweigert
1981 Douglas Farley
1982 David Bushey
1983 Jean Schweigert
1985 Michael Buckbee
1992 Michael Farley
1994 Gary VanValkenburgh
1995 Jean Schweigert
1996 John Schweigert
1997 David Krebs
1998 Michael Buckbee
2000 Frank Reed
2001 Jean Schweigert
2001 Steven Scheigert
2002 Frank Curtis
2004 Jeffery Wright
2007 Frank Reed
2008 Allison Signor
Active Members 1930-1960;
Frank Merry 3/24/30
James VanDousen 3/24/30
Cornelius Snook 3/24/30
Fred Hunter 3/24/30 First meeting Charter Members
Harry Hertzman 3/24/30
MilfordGerlash 3/24/30
George Link 3/24/30
Lester Morey 3/24/30
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ClevelandAckroyd 4/14/30
Walter Snook Sr 4/14/30
Spencer Schell 5/12/30
Semion Sambur 5/12/30
George Bink 5/12/30
Charles Hamelin 9/8/30
Dorr Crouse 1/12/31
Grover New 1/12/31
William Ashley 2/9/31
Morris Hertzman 2/9/31
William Hertzman 3/9/31
Roy Bedell 3/9/31
Abraham Herman 3/9/31
Joseph Hertzman 4/13/31
Albert Magnan 4/13/31
Victor Reingold 4/13/31
George DeMeur 7/13/31
Evin Babcock 11/9/31
Otto Schultz 3/14/32
Robert Hunter Sr 4/11/32
Willis White Sr. 3/13/33
Leon Asmus 5/8/33
Harris Howard 5/14/34
Arthur Krebs 12/10/34
Earl Hicks 12/10/34
Clifford Farley 12/10/34
Joseph Weisner 9/14/36
Howard Jordan 10/12/36
Thomas Auer 11/9/36
Harold Hodgkins 12/14/36
Charles Legal 3/8/37
Ernest Perry 5/10/37
Louis Grant 1/10/38
Charles Witthoft Sr 1/10/38
Milton Sambur 2/8/39
David Flax 8/10/39
Hyman Rosenblum 9/10/39
Adolph Petsch 7/1/40
Joseph Trossbach 7/1/40
Leonard Schell 10/1/40
Lloyd Schell 10/1/40
Solomon Eichenbaum 1/1/41
Hyman Zinsher 4/1/41
John Willis 7/1/41
Clarence Kimmey 11/10/41
Maurice Steinberg 1/12/42
Arthur Percey 4/13/42
Henry Hermann 6/8/42
George Cederberg 9/14/42
Kenneth Lindeman 3/8/43
Benjaman Crandall 5/10/43
Nicholas Tremont 7/13/43
Earl Donnelly 3/13/43
John Rate 6/12/44
John Daniels 10/9/44
Robert Legal 4/9/45
Edward Knauf 5/14/45
Walter Houck 8/13/45
Walter Core 9/10/45
Meader Pattington 10/8/45
Alfred Clow Sr 11/12/45
Frank Parsons 2/11/46
Richard Gisch 3/7/46
Willis White Jr 3/7/46
StanleyKrebs 5/13/46
Alex Carman 5/13/46
Harvey Hollis 5/13/46
Richard Legal 6/10/46
Robert Rate 8/12/46
John Chester Sr 9/6/46
Alfred Clow Jr 10/14/46
John Reehl 7/14/47
Regis Percey 6/9/47
Albert Pechenik 6/9/47
William Ceely 9/8/47
Melvin Cook 9/8/47
Samuel Romancheck 1/12/48
Joseph Phibbs 1/12/48
Charles Remkus 10/11/48
Theodore Jentsch 11/8/48
G.Howard Goold 8/8/49
Alton Marshall 8/8/49
Walter Snook Jr 11/14/49
George Ovsanikow 12/11/49
Edwin Waterhouse 12/11/49
Albert Carhart 12/11/49
Raymond Moore 2/13/50
George Thorpe 9/11/50
Clarence Harding 9/11/50
Daniel Self 2/12/51
Arthur Baron 3/12/51
Henry VanWie 9/10/51
Thomas Alexander 9/10/51
Emory Towson 9/10/51
Samuel Caplan 1/14/52
William Boegly 1/14/52
LawrenceOvsanikow 5/12/52
Jay Chaplan 5/12/52
Samuel Katz 6/9/52
Morris Kass 6/9/52
Russell Beal 6/9/52
Kenneth Golding 8/11/52
Mauritz Johnson 9/8/52
James Jordan 10/11/52
Charles Senrick 8/9/54
Warren Bashford 10/11/54
Martin Candlish Sr 10/11/54
Douglas Farley 3/14/55
LawrenceSchell 4/14/55
Joseph Protko 4/14/55
Robert Hunter Jr 6/13/55
Howard Honn 7/11/55
Robert Trossbach 7/11/55
Merton Jones 7/11/55
John Peck 9/12/55
Henry Blumenauer 11/14/55
Paul Percey 11/14/55
Robert Sumner 4/9/56
Irene Lovoie 8/13/56
Robert Clow 9/10/56
William Honn 9/1056
John Chester Jr 9/1056
Kenneth Denton 11/12/56
StanleyLegg 12/10/56
Joseph Weller 1/14/57
William Barrett 6/10/57
Joseph Weller 8/12/57
David Phibbs 8/12/57
Warren Alexander 10/14/57
Robert Witlock 12/9/57
Albert Aurand 12/9/57
Leonard Peter 3/10/58
Paul Perra 3/10/58
Charles Sunderland 3/10/58
H.J.Manclow 5/12/58
George Wolfe 8/11/58
Robert Martin 11/10/58
Walter Staiger Sr 3/9/59
Richard Kaufman 9/14/59
Edward Scheibly 10/12/59
William Masters 2/8/60
Robert Wygant 10/10/60
Robert Secoe 10/10/60
Harold Keefe 10/10/60
Randall Diegel Jr 10/10/60
Anthony Lozano 11/14/60