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General News: SKFE Dinner Honors Members
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| Fire company members congratulated outgoing chief Jeff Armitage at the dinner. |
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| Ladies Auxiliary members (l to r) Dawn Hogan Mary Lulves, Gladys Pacenza, Carol O'Keefe are recognized by SKFE president Doug Vatter. |
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| SKFE Chief Chris O'Dell, Asst. Chief Robby Vought, Capt. Tom Lyons, 1st Lt. Steve Calamari and 2nd Lt. George Lindenberger are sworn into office. |
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| SKFE's Nancy Bryan and Doug Vatter. |
February 08, 2012
By Nancy Peckenham
The annual dinner of the Storm King Fire Engine Company this year marked a passing of the torch, as former Chief Jeff Armitage was honored for his eight years at the helm and newly-elected Chief Chris O’Dell was welcomed to the top spot.
The evening’s program began with a recognition of the oldest-serving members of the fire company: Frank Lent and wife, Irene, with 67 years; Joe Trainor and his wife, Ann, with 62
years; Bob Quillan with 53 years; and Jack Riley and his wife, Leslie, with 53 years.
Top Participators Recognized
Next up were those members who have participated the most in the company, responding to calls and helping out on various fundraising activities at the firehouse. George Lindenberger was acknowledged as an active member with the most participation, Charles Tonneson for his participation as an active honorary member and Jeremy Asencio for his partipation as a young, probationary member.
Awards were also handed out to those members who responded to at least 65 percent of all calls in 2011. This year’s members of the Century Club are Nancy Bryan, Tom Lyons, Doug Vatter and Tom Vatter. Storm King Fire Department president Doug Vatter also recognized the work of volunteers throughout the year, including members of the Ladies Auxiliary.
After Chief O’Dell presented Armitage with a plaque recognizing his years of service, Cornwall-on-Hudson Mayor Brendan Coyne read a letter acknowledging his service to the fire company and to the residents of the village. “It’s impossible to think about the (firemen’s) fair without thinking of Jeff Armitage,” Coyne said, noting that the former chief has head up the fair committee for 20 years.
Armitage Honored for His Service
Armitage has been a member of Storm King Fire Engine Company for 34 years and spoke about his daughter, Kristi VanDuzer, who joined the company at age 16. “I never thought I’d see her walk into a burning building, but I did,” he said with obvious pride.
He also talked about how the Mill Street fire last month showed how fire departments come together in a time of need. Some two dozen fire companies responded to that blaze, the largest in Orange County history. “We come not because we are getting something,” Armitage noted. “You should be proud we live in this community.”
Orange County legislator Kevin Hines, a long-time member of Cornwall’s Highland Engine Fire Company, also had some praise for the Storm King Engine’s ladder truck. The nearly 40 year-old truck has been the focus of much discussion because of its age and possible need of replacement. Hines, however, noted that the ladder truck “put more fire out than any other piece of equipment” at the Mill Street fire and he credited Bob Quillan’s meticulous maintenance for keeping it in operation.
New York State Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun also thanked the members of Storm King Fire Engine Company. “I can’t image what it would be like if the fire company wasn’t there when you called,” she said, “If we had to pay for what you do, we could never afford it.”
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