THE BOOSTER LINE A NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO GREENE COUNTY FIRE VOLUNTEERS SPRING 2017 To D. M. Hamilton of Coxsackie and to West Athens-Lime Street Fire Company for stepping up and offering to be the hosts for Greene County Day and the annual Greene County Drill Day. Hamilton will host Greene County Day on Sunday, June 4 at the NYS Firemen’s Home. West Athens will sponsor Drill Day on Sunday June 11 at their district office on Schoharie Turnpike. D. M. Hamilton will be sending out letters will full details shortly and West Athens is enclosed here..
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THE BOOSTER LINE A NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO GREENE COUNTY FIRE VOLUNTEERS
SPRING 2017
To D. M. Hamilton of Coxsackie and to West Athens-Lime Street Fire
Company for stepping up and offering to be the hosts for Greene
County Day and the annual Greene County Drill Day.
Hamilton will host Greene County Day on Sunday, June 4 at the NYS Firemen’s Home.
West Athens will sponsor Drill Day on Sunday June 11 at their district office on Schoharie
Turnpike. D. M. Hamilton will be sending out letters will full details shortly and West
Athens is enclosed here..
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WEST ATHENS-LIME STREET FIRE COMPANY PO BOX 107 - ATHENS NY 12015
March 2, 2017
Dear Fellow Firefighters & Ladies Auxiliary:
As spring approaches, it is time once again to be thinking of the Greene County Volunteer Firefighters Association Annual Drill Day competition. This year it will be hosted by the West Athens-Lime Street Fire Company on Sunday, June 111, 2017. The day will start with check-in at 8:30am, followed by a brief Captain’s meeting. Competition events will begin at 9am. The location will be the West Athens Fire District property on Schoharie Turnpike (1/2 mile east of Rte 9W intersection). The day will conclude with the awarding of trophies after all events have been completed.
I have scheduled a preliminary Captain’s meeting for Tuesday April 25, 7pm at the West Athens-Lime Street Firehouse #2 on Leeds-Athens Road. At that time, we will go over the events & discuss any issues you may have. I have included in this letter a description of the day & the events that are held.
Should you wish to enter a team, please complete the bottom portion of this letter and return to: West Athens-Lime Street Fire Company, ATTN: Drill Day, PO Box 107, Athens NY 12015 along with a check for $25 for the registration fee. As in the past, the fee will be refunded to you at check-in the day of the event.
PLEASE NOTE: IF THERE ARE NOT AT LEAST 3 TEAMS REGISTERED BY MAY 1, AN
ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE AT THE MAY GCVFA QUARTERLY MEETING THAT THE EVENT WILL BE CANCELED.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, John J Farrell 755-2715 Drill Day Chairman -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME OF FIRE COMPANY OR AUXILIARY: ________________________________ will participate in the annual GCVFA Drill Day hosted by West Athens on Sun June 11. Team Captain: _______________________ Registration enclosed: _____
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FIREFIGHTERS DEMONSTRATE COMMUNITY Though Monday, January 2, 2017 was a cold day and a day off from work for many that could have slept in, Greene County’s First Responders showed how big their hearts were by meeting near the NYS Thruway in Catskill. There was not a mass casualty call in the area. Rather, they were out in force to show their love for a little boy and girl. Callen and Charlotte Farrell are the children of Renee and Brian Farrell (West Athens-Lime Street Fire Company) and suffer from chILD. Interstitial lung disease is not a single disease; it includes many distinct chronic diffuse lung disorders, which fall under the umbrella diagnosis of Children’s Interstitial Lung Disease (chILD). Individually the disorders are rare, but collectively they are not. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and have different treatments and outcomes. All types of chILD decrease a child’s ability to supply oxygen to their body. Early diagnosis and treatment is important for any form of chILD. Recently, Callen and Charlotte were granted their wish by the Make-A-Wish Foundation to visit Disney World in Florida. On this cold winter morning, they were greeted at home by Santa Claus and a limousine. What they did not know was that it was pre-arranged through relatives to send Greene County First Responders send them off by the Thruway. One by one, fire truck, ambulances and police cars started getting a place in line to wish the little ones a fun trip. Soon both sides of the Thruway entrance was filled with emergency vehicles all the way back to Route 23B, and then some. Lights were flashing and “fans” were waving top these little hometown celebrities. The temperature may have been cold but Greene County’s love that day put out tremendous warmth.
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And in other examples of community brotherhood . . .
The family of Dave Sherman (Hensonville Fire Company) has always been willing to go
above and beyond for their community. Dave is a past President of both GCVFA and Greene County Fire Chief’s Association, as well as Past Chief of the Hensonville Fire Company. His son, Tyrel, now holds that title. Sadly, in January, these pillars of the mountain top community and our fellow firefighters lost everything to a fire!
On Saturday, February 11, nearly 300 people from throughout Greene County turned out for the Sherman family at a spaghetti dinner fundraiser hosted by the East Jewett Fire Department. Community residents who weren’t able to attend the dinner stopped by the firehouse earlier that day to drop off donations. Nearly all of the food, including desserts, and materials for the event were donated from people and organizations in the area. Village Market in Tannersville donated space the night before, where more than 1,000 meatballs were made for the dinner.
If you would like to help, monetary donations can be mailed to:
HENSONVILLE HOSE COMPANY “SHERMAN FUND” P. O. BOX 297
HENSONVILLE, N.Y. 12439
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FIREMEN’S HOME SHUFFLEBOARD TOURNAMENT Once again, winter brought back the annual shuffleboard tournament between the Catskill Fire Department and the residents at our NYS Firemen’s Home. Catskill won this year after last year’s 2016 defeat. All in all, everyone had a great time during the matches and a lot of laughs.
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GREENE COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS COMPETE IN EAST COAST SKIING
Back in 2003, the Palenville Fire Department started competing in the East Coast Race at Hunter Mountain after noticing that no Greene County fire departments were competing, Department Vice President ski team Captain Blake Garrison said. "It just blew my mind that there were people coming up from West Virginia, New Jersey, and Long Island but there were no Greene County teams here represented," he said. This year was different as teams from the Haines Falls, Palenville and Tannersville Fire Departments competed, as well as a Ladies team from Palenville. One of the challenges of the race is having five firefighters carrying the hose while skiing in unison. "The turnout gear isn’t really the challenge — the challenge is the hose," Garrison said. Palenville has won the last two years, but the real treat is getting to associate and become friends with firefighters from other departments. Palenville has donated money over the years to the Ashland and Haines Falls fire departments, the New York Burn Center and the Michael White Foundation. "There’s a good share of competitiveness here but at the end of the day it’s mostly about having fun," he said. Firefighter Kristin Olufsen, of the Tannersville Fire Department, said with a smile her main motivation to enter the race was to beat Palenville. “The department supports the Westchester Burn Center” she said. "It’s a great day, it’s a great mountain, just get out there and enjoy it," she said.
Congrats to the Palenville Ski Team for capturing their third consecutive East Coast FF Ski Championship. They graciously donated their winnings to the Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital in the name of their President, Ed Synan, who was a patient this year and has made a full recovery thanks to their help!
Thanks to Brianna Lennon for photos
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WEST ATHENS - LIME STREET FIRE COMPANY
RECEIVES SPEENBURGH GRANT The Greene County Legislature has grant funding available for youth, senior, veteran, and other not-for-profit organizations to benefit the residents of Greene County. This grant funding was named the Wayne C. Speenburgh Greene County Legislature Grant Program in memory of the late Chairman of the County Legislature, Wayne C. Speenburgh of Coxsackie. Grant funds are awarded up to $1,000 and may be used for projects and events that will enhance the quality of life for county residents. This year, the West Athens-Lime Street Fire Company applied for a grant to be used for their annual Santa Run. This is held in December and it is when Santa Claus travels in his sleigh to visit all the residents of the fire district. Not only does Santa visit, he hands out a goodie bag filled with fire safety information for young & old. It is an event looked forward to each year.
Seen in photo with Santa, is Greene County Legislator Gene Hatton as he presents the check to West Athens President James Murphy at the fire company's December breakfast. Looking on are members of the fire company, Brian VanAusble, Director Chris Hendricks, 60-year member Joe Chast, VP Marilyn Schrader, Fred Vail and Secretary Peggy Snyder. In the sleigh with Santa is 2nd Asst Chief John J Farrell. Missing from photo are Santa Run committee members Larry Farrell & Patrick Murphy.
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In Our Thoughts Deepest Sympathy to
The Farrell Family (West Athens)
on the death of their aunt, Catherine
Tim Albright (Athens) on the death of his wife, Beth
GCVFA President John LaVeglia and family
on the death of his father
The Greene County Sherriff’s Department and the family of
Deputy Kevin Haverly
DO YOU KNOW A YOUTH WORTHY OF SPECIAL COUNTY RECOGNITION?
The Greene County Children, Youth & Community Advisory Board is sponsoring the 2017 Youth of the Year Award. Do you know a youth who has made outstanding contributions in serving his/her community through leadership, knowledge, skill and/or service? Nominate him/her! Nomination forms can be obtained from the Greene County Department of Human Services. Deadline is March 31, 2017. Any questions can be directed to the Department at 719-3555.
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MEETINGS:
GCVFA Thursday May 4 7:30pm Palenville firehouse Thursday August 3 7:30pm Lexington firehouse Thursday September 7 7:30pm ANNUAL MEETING – East Durham firehouse GCVFALA Monday May 15 7:30pm West Athens-Lime Street Firehouse Tuesday September 5 7:30pm ANNUAL MEETING – East Durham firehouse ` EXECUTIVE BOARD Thursday April 27 7:30pm GCEOC Thursday July 27 7:30pm GCEOC GREENE COUNTY FIRE CHIEFS Monday April 17 7:30pm Hensonville firehouse Monday July 26 7:30pm East Durham firehouse GREENE COUNTY FIRE POLICE Wednesday April 26 7:30pm Hunter firehouse Wednesday July 17 7:30pm Hunter firehouse OTHER EVENTS: Sunday June 4 Greene County Day at NYS Firemens Home Sunday June 11 GCVFA Annual Drill Day Wednesday September 6 GCVFALA Annual Dinner Friday September 8 GCVFA Annual Convention Mardi Gras Saturday September 9 GCVFA Annual Convention Dress Parade
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FROM D. M. HAMILTON, COXSACKIE
Monthly Breakfast 4th Sunday of each month
BUS TRIP to TURNING STONE CASINO $35.00 per person
March 25, 2017
Departure Time: 7 a.m. Coxsackie Village Building Parking Lot
Special Community Fundraiser SPONSORED BY WEST ATHENS-LIME STREET FIRE COMPANY
SUNDAY APRIL 23 8AM – 12 NOON All proceeds from breakfast will go to the benefit of
Greene County Blue Star Mothers
Location: West Athens Firehouse #2 Leeds-Athens Road
Freewill Offering
REMEMBER: This is YOUR GCVFA Booster Line.
Without input from all
county fire companies/departments and Auxiliaries,
there would be no Booster Line.
We are only hearing from the same few.
If you are having an election, event or fundraiser, please pass along.
The Booster Line would be happy to help spread the word.
As we are only volunteers, we rely on your photos & information.
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