| Since it's inception in February of 1892, your Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department has proudly provided firefighting and rescue services to the Croton community - done entirely by proud VOLUNTEERS.
In 2013 - our 121st year of service - we continued this proud tradition. We answered 373 requests - including fires, car accidents, hazardous conditions, storm standbys and Mutual Aid responses. With 125 enlisted members last year, we produced an incredible average of just over SIXTEEN (16) MEMBERS EVERY TIME WE WERE CALLED TO DUTY!
In 2013 we responded to incidents in not only Croton, but Ossining, Montrose, Buchanan, Peekskill, Yorktown, Mohegan, Somers, Millwood and even Rockland County. It doesn't matter where, when or what the call is for - we will be there.
What is even more impressive is the various amount of time our members have served in this department, and continue to do so. The senior-most member that continues to respond to calls - and does so in the role of Safety Officer - is John Giglio. Mr. Giglio has been a member of the Washington Engine Company since 1944, and turned out for 21 incidents last year!
To have someone with as much experience and knowledge still dropping everything and coming out to help their neighbors after all these years is a true testament of how dedicated your CFD's members really are. John, as well as other long-time members - like this year's top responder and FIFTY YEAR MEMBER Harold Lockwood who answered 218 calls - are an inspiration to so many of us. Thank you, gentlemen, we have nothing but the utmost respect for you all.
In 2013, our Explorer Post 2089 celebrated their 31st year as a part of our department. These young men and women are the future of this great department. Our past two Chiefs Phil Dinkler and John Munson started in the CFD as Explorers, and our new 2nd Assistant Chief Chris Colombo also started in the program. Colombo now gets to mentor his son, Chris Jr., who was elected as a Lieutenant in the Explorer Post for 2013.
As of this writing the post currently boasts a roster of 16 - many of which have parents or other family in the CFD. Examples of this are Taylor Vlad - who's father is our current Chief, Bill Vlad - as well as siblings Samantha & Jake Dominello who's parents Stephen (Deputy Chief) and Anita (Ex-Captain) remain very active members of the department.
One does not need to have family in the Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department to join. The simple act of filling out the application opens the door to make friends - and many consider it family - for life. If you are interested in joining our ranks, give us a call at (914) 271-2693 or email memberinfo@crotonfd.org.
Now, to pay tribute to those that truly go above and beyond, here is the list of "Top 15 (plus two) Responders" for 2013.
#1 - Ex-Captain Harold Lockwood with 218 Calls
#2 - Deputy Chief Phil Dinkler with 169 Calls
#3 - Ex-Captain Dan Vlad with 156 Calls
#4 - Captain Chris Colombo with 153 Calls
#5 - Firefighter Billy Vlad Jr. with 140 Calls
#6 - Firefighter Chris Rinaldi with 136 Calls
#7 - Engineer Bill Gallagher with 135 Calls
#8 - Deputy Chief Stephen Dominello with 127 Calls
#9 - Firefighter Art Roosa III with 126 Calls
#10 - Firefighter Josh Karpoff with 124 Calls
#11 - Firefighter Ivan Crespo with 119 Calls
#12 - Deputy Chief Tex Dinkler with 117 Calls
#13 - Lieutenant Joe Kempter with 115 Calls
#14 - Firefighter Jake Dinkler with 110 Calls
#15 - Firefighter Bert Garcia with 107 Calls
#16 - Deputy Chief Frank Streany with 104 Calls
#17 - Engineer Dave Altro with 100 Calls
Lastly, we'd like to recognize our three Chief Officers from the past year, who we traditionally do not count in our "Top Responders" list.
Chief John Munson - 263 Calls
1st Asst. Chief Bill Vlad - 185 Calls
2nd Asst. Chief Matt Mansfield - 120 Calls
Good job, CFD, keep it up in 2014! |
