The Cold Spring Fire Company recently obtained approximately $500,000 in state of the art radio equipment from the U.S. Military. The Fire Company applied for this equipment through the Commander of the Tobyhanna Army Depot, and the NY Agency for Surplus Property. They received assistance from Bruce Campbell of the Communications and Electronics Department at West Point, who coordinated the large transfer of surplus equipment between the West Point Logistics Operation Manager and the Tobyhanna Army Depot located in Pennsylvania. The Fire Company was eligible for this equipment because of its longstanding commitment to providing fire protection to Constitution Island.

Once implemented, this radio equipment will be utilized throughout the Town of Philipstown to greatly enhance the communications between firefighters and emergency services workers at the scene of an emergency. For more information, visit their website at www.coldspringfd.org

Photo courtesy, Putnam County News and Recorder

2005 was the busiest year on record for the Cold Spring Fire Company. The Fire Company responded to 150 calls for help, a 93% increase from 2004 according to Cold Spring Fire Chief Daniel Valentine. Firefighters put in over 1700 man-hours on fire calls alone and 1200 hours of training to be prepared for those emergencies. “Our Fire Company maintains its average response time at 2 minutes, making it the fastest Fire Department in the County,” Chief Valentine said. “Calls for help ranged from house fires, car accidents, mountain rescues, water rescues and fire alarms, just to name a few. As of January 29th, we have responded to 23 calls, putting us on track for another record-breaking year.”

The Cold Spring Fire Company is always looking for men and women to join. There are various types of membership in the Company aside from fighting fires. If you're interested in helping out or you would like some more information, stop by the firehouse at any time or visit their website at www.coldspringfd.org

On Tuesday, January 10th at approximately 7:10pm the Cold Spring Fire Company and Philipstown Ambulance were dispatched to a personal injury auto accident on Route 9D just north of Fair Street in the village of Cold Spring. Upon the arrival of emergency personnel, it was determined that a 19 year old female was driving a car northbound on Route 9D when she struck a telephone pole, ripping her car in half. The victim had to be extricated from the car by Cold Spring Firefighters using the Jaws of Life.

There were reports that a second person may have been in the car. A wide search was conducted in the wooded area along both sides of Route 9D. Thermal imaging cameras from Cold Spring and North Highlands Fire Department's were used to assist in the search. It was later determined that the driver had been alone in the vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle was transported by Philipstown Ambulance and Putnam Medic 1 to a landing zone set up at Perkins Memorial field. The driver was subsequently transported to Westchester Medical Center by a Stat Flight Helicopter. Route 9D was closed for approximately 4 hours. At the time of this report, the status of the driver is unknown.

The Cold Spring Fire Department was called out on Tuesday morning at approximately 9:30 am to a report of a 2-car accident on Rt. 9D just south of the Breakneck Tunnel.

The accident scene indicated that one car, a sedan, was traveling northbound and collided with a southbound SUV. No conclusions were immediately reached as to the cause of the accident but road conditions were wet and slushy. No summons were issued and both drivers were injured and taken to hospital by the Philipstown Ambulance Corps. A Cold Spring Fireman was also slightly injured at the scene and was taken to hospital by the Garrison Ambulance Corps.

Responding to the accident were the Cold Spring Fire Company, the Cold Spring Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff's Department, Philipstown Ambulance, Alamo Medics and the Garrison Ambulance Corps. The Dutchess Junction Fire Department also responded assisting in traffic control. Rt. 9D was closed for a number of hours while the vehicles were cleared from the roadway.

Photo courtesy, Putnam County News and Recorder

At approximately 11:40 am on Sunday, December 25th, North Highlands Fire Department was dispatched by the 911 emergency operator to a report of a home on fire on Knollwood Lane in Cold Spring. The call to 911 was made by neighbors.

Approximately 75 volunteers responded to the call and spent a good deal of Christmas Day fighting the blaze.

Firefighters responded from North Highlands, Cold Spring, Garrison, Rombout, Village of Fishkill “FAST” team, and Hughsonville. The “FAST” team is a specially trained team of firefighters who respond to emergencies and are charged with standing by in case any emergency worker encounters problems while fighting the fire and needs rescuing. The North Highlands Fire Department also has a “FAST” team.

Philipstown Volunteer Ambulance and the Alamo EMS car also responded to the scene.

It was reportedly an electrical fire that caused extensive damage to the home. No one was home at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported. Firefighters from North Highlands returned to the home at about 4pm to check the site.

All of the volunteers are to be commended for responding on Christmas Day and for quickly “knocking down” the fire before it could fully engulf the structure.

Photo courtesy, Putnam County News and Recorder

On Sunday, December 4th at 10:14 pm the Cold Spring Fire Company was dispatched to a possible structure fire at 334 Main Street. Upon the arrival of first responding member, Lieutenant Chris Tobin, he found a washer/dryer combination unit to be on fire. Lieutenant Tobin was able to quickly knock down the fire with a portable fire extinguisher and with the assistance of other responding firefighters, remove the appliance from the residence through a nearby side door preventing the spread of fire to the rest of the house. The house was thoroughly checked for any possible spread of the fire and the family was allowed to return to their home that evening.

Chief Daniel Valentine praised the quick actions of his firefighters and said that due to a properly functioning smoke detector, the residents were alerted of the fire and were able to quickly exit the residence and notify the fire department. The Cold Spring Fire Company was assisted at the scene by the Putnam County Sheriff's Department and the New York State Police. The North Highlands and Garrison Fire Departments were placed on standby in quarters as a precaution.

The second week in October has traditionally be declared Fire Prevention Week. The fire service takes this opportunity to educate the public in fire safety. This year, members from the Cold Spring, Continental Village, Garrison and North Highlands Fire Departments joined forces forming a town wide Fire Prevention Team.

The Team traveled all over the town of Philipstown providing fire safety tips to the children of our community. The children were taught what to do in case of a fire, how to crawl low in smoke and feeling the door for heat before you open it. They learned the importance of smoke detectors, having a home fire escape plan and a meeting place, how to stop, drop and roll in case their clothes catch on fire and how to properly use 911. The children also met Sparky the Fire Dog and Freddie the Fire Truck. The middle school and high school students received training in fire safety as well as injury prevention. The recent graduates from the Cold Spring Fire Company Junior Firefighter Academy assisted in the fire safety presentations.

The Fire Prevention Team would like to remind everyone that they should test their smoke detectors monthly and change the battery when they change the time on their clocks. For more information about fire prevention visit any of the fire department websites. www.coldspringfd.org, www.garrisonfd.org and www.northhighlandsfd.org.

Photo courtesy, Putnam County News and Recorder

Since 2001, the date September 11 has reminded us of the daily commitment and sacrifice of our country's firefighters. This year in Cold Spring, however, September 11 was a day to celebrate the unseen strength behind every firefighter: the family. The Cold Spring Fire Company's first ever Family Appreciation Day was celebrated this past Sunday under blue skies, at the idyllic riverfront pavilion setting at Mayor's Park. With an air tent for the kids, room to play ball, and lots of food and beverages, the firefighters and their families had the rare opportunity to socialize and relax as a group.

In an all-volunteer fire company like Cold Spring, the family is especially important. Family members endure skipped meals, interrupted sleep and absences from special events when their firefighter is called to respond to an emergency.

Said firefighter Lillian Moser, "So many times you're sitting in the middle of a family dinner and have to leave. This is one meal where all of us don't have to do anything."

Although holding the event on September 11 was not a calculated decision, once the date was set, department members recognized its significance. Said Moser, "It just happened that way. But the more we thought about it, we thought what better day to do it."

In recognition of the 9/11 sacrifice of firefighters and EMS personnel, Cold Spring Fire Chief Dan Valentine asked for a moment of silence during his brief opening remarks. Valentine also noted the absence of department member Joseph Miozzi, who is currently serving as an Army captain in Tikrit, Iraq.

But it was not a day for solemn ceremony or sad thoughts. As Assistant Chief Joe Russo, Chairman of the Family Appreciation Day Committee, put it, "This is a day for members and their families. It's a recognition that when firefighters are called to duty, it's the families we leave behind until we come back."

Judging from the amount of food, all of which was contributed by area businesses, the fire company families did not have to do much cooking at all on Sunday. Relaxing under the blue sky, with the Hudson River, Mt. Taurus and Storm King providing a beautiful backdrop, the families ate, played and enjoyed each other's company.

Surveying the idyllic scene, Fire Chief Valentine commented on the importance of families to the company's volunteers.

"It's a big commitment for volunteers and their families," he said. "If they didn't support us, we wouldn't be able to do it."

Photo courtesy, Putnam County News and Recorder

The Putnam County Legislature opened their September meeting with a proclamation offering sympathy to the victims of Hurricane Katrina and urging residents to make donations to the American Red Cross.

They then honored Cold Spring Fire Chief Dan Valentine and members of the Cold Spring Fire Company with a proclamation in recognition of their successful Junior Firefighter Academy program.

"If it saves one life, then it is worth all the work that we put into the program," said Valentine. He added, "If it wasn't for the volunteers and the community that supports us, we couldn't offer this program to these kids free of charge."

The program, which runs for a week in the summer and is offered to children in grades four through 8 through the Philipstown Recreation Department, was conceived by Valentine and is in its third year. It is designed to introduce children to safety concepts and to stir interest in future volunteerism. Legislator Vinny Tamagna said that it has gotten the notice of Congresswoman Sue Kelly and could soon receive wider recognition as the first program of its kind.

Photo courtesy, Putnam County News and Recorder

The Cold Spring Fire Department is not usually thought of as a seagoing outfit but their fire and rescue duties can, and do, take them to the river. The Cold Spring Boat Club, as a continuing service to the community, provides a dock for the Fire Department at the club facility on the riverfront where the Fire and Rescue pontoon boat is always ready for emergency duty.

The boat is used for any type of water or boat rescues. They have pulled people out of the water from overturned boats, responded to boat fires or even just towing someone in who needs assistance. "We are here to help when ever it's needed," said Valentine.

Photo courtesy, Putnam County News and Recorder

The Cold Spring Fire Company is pleased to announce that Matthew Donachi, Ari Straus and Robert Downey have successfully completed New York State Firefighter I training.

The members were introduced to firefighting concepts, practices and techniques necessary for success within the fire service. They received training in fire department organization, firefighter safety, fire behavior, personal protective equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus, fire extinguishers, building searches, forcible entry, ground ladders, ventilation, hose practices, fire streams, and loss control. The course also consists of performance criteria in: incident command, building construction, ropes/knots, rescue procedures, forcible entry applications, ventilation practices, fire extinguisher applications, suppression of structural fires, tactics, vehicle suppression, water supply, loss control, fire cause determination, fire department communications, fire suppression systems, hazardous materials, weapons of mass destruction, confined space safety and fire prevention practices. After some additional fire company training, the members will become active firefighters with the Cold Spring Fire Company.

If you would like to join the fire company or if you have any questions, you can visit our website at www.coldspringfd.org, stop by or call the firehouse at 265-9241.

"It's getting harder and harder to find volunteers," laments Cold Spring Fire Chief Daniel Valentine. It is a nationwide problem, affecting not only volunteer fire companies, but all volunteer dependent services, he said. "Volunteerism is on the decline."

In an effort to raise safety awareness and to hopefully plant an early seed of community service, three years ago he created Cold Spring's first Junior Fire Academy.

"It is getting bigger every year," he said. This year, thirty children, grades four through eight, completed the program, which includes segments in Physical Training, Teamwork and Respect, Fire Safety, Life Saving Techniques, and Demonstrations in putting out fires and using fire equipment.

On the day that the PCN&R observed the program, Junior Firefighters were being taught a Life Saving course by Lieutenant Stephanie Spear of the Philipstown Ambulance Corps. "Does anyone know what you are supposed to tell the Dispatcher when you call 911?" she asked and several hands went up. Following the lecture, the children were taught basic CPR using Resuscitation Dummies. An interruption by an actual emergency call that came over the radio later gave her the opportunity to talk about what happens to some people when we experience a heat-wave.

"My brother went last year and he said it was fun, so I figured I'd try it out," said 10-year old Lauren Etta, who was attending for the first time. She said that although she doubted that she would want to become a fireman, she might be interested in becoming certified in CPR in the future.

"My favorite part was learning about tornadoes," said 10-year-old Kit Daponte. "I am looking forward to doing the Explorers Program when I'm 14." Many of the children liked the demonstration of the Fire Safety House, which was donated by the Lake Mahopac Fire Department. They looked forward to the next day's demonstration of a "Jaws of Life" extraction.

Valentine said that while some of the kids had family members in the services, most of the children did not have any connection, but simply were interested in the program, which was offered free of charge through the Philipstown Recreation Department.

Valentine, who has taught fire safety in local schools for fourteen years, remembers attending the Putnam County Sheriff's Department Explorer's Program when he was young. "I thought of applying it to fire services," he said. "As far as I know, there is no other program like it."

Many of the children are repeating the program for the second and third time. Cory Lyons, 13, interrupted his summer vacation in North Carolina just to attend the Academy. He has completed the one-week program every year. He will return to North Carolina when it is over.

Graduates of the program received their certificates at a ceremony on Saturday, August 6th. Valentine said he is able to offer the program for free thanks to the financial support of the local community and the help of program volunteers.

If the enthusiasm of the students is any indication, Valentine's program may just succeed in harvesting future fire-fighters and ambulance workers for Philipstown. "I'm here because I am going to be a fireman, and I want to be a member of the Ambulance Corps," said eighth-grader John McGuire, who is in his third year at the Academy. "I like the idea of helping people out."

Photo courtesy, Putnam County News and Recorder