Length of Service Awards Program
The Cottekill Fire District offers an incentive to the active members of the Fire Company. Any person over the age of 18, who joins and becomes an active volunteer with the company and contributes 1 year of service, can participate. The basic concept is for every qualifying year a monetary contribution is set aside to be distribute in the form of a pension-type award.
Here’s how it works. Members attend meetings, drills, activities and alarms. They earn points for there attendance. When the member collects 50 points in addition to attending minimum sessions in all areas but miscellaneous activities, that member qualifies for that year. Each qualifying year is worth $20.00 a month at the entitlement age. To see a beak down of the points system and minimum attendance requirements click here.
Members must qualify for five years prior to being vested. The program caps at 20 years, offering an individual a monthly check of $400.00 at entitlement. So what is entitlement? Age 65. Need some more examples? Ok… You join and make your 50 points for 5 years in a row. You are now vested in the program. That means we know you are serious about this and we are willing to invest in your future. Those who do not qualify for five years or leave before then will not receive a monthly check. But I know you are serious because you are still with me at this point of the article. Let’s move on. You have 5 years in. If you were to quit the company now, when you reach the age of 65 you will receive a check each and every month until you pass away, and no less than 120 payments for $100.00. (5 years x $20.00 for each year = $100.00/month.)
Now let’s get really serious. For each continuing year after entitlement you will earn another $20.00 a month. So if you qualify for 10 years that would be $200.00/month… 16 years, $320.00/month.
So, what do you say? Could you use an extra $400.00 a month when you retire during your entitlement years? To become a member click here to fill out an application.
Fire Company Holds Installation Dinner
The annual installation dinner of the Cottekill Volunteer Fire Company, was held on Saturday June 21st. The dinner is where the fire and administrative officers for the year are announced. "Most departments hold these dinners closer to the beginning of the year, but we tend to enjoy the warmer weather" says Chief Fiore. "This is also a time to celebrate and thank the members of the company that give back to their community".
The Administrative Officers for 2008: Theresa Swehla, President; Nancy Birdsall, Vice President and Secretary; and Tom Rinaldi, Treasurer.
2008 Fire Officers: Brad Fiore, Fire Chief; Dave Gagnon, Assistant Fire Chief; and Mark Swehla Jr., Captain.
Chief Fiore and Chief Gagnon conducted the awards ceremony that followed dinner. "We started the ceremony by recognizing those who have made a commitment to our organization" Chief Gagnon said.
Dave Gagnon, Jim Halloran, and John Michalski received their 15 year service awards. This was followed by certificates to all the members highlighting the number of alarms and the amount of hours that they have given to the fire company.
A Chief’s Award was presented to Senator John Bonacic for his efforts in securing a $10,000.00 member item for the Cottekill Fire District in 2007. These funds went towards the remodeling the firehouse. See “State Senator” under In The News. Sue Cummings accepted the award for the Senator. Additionally Chief Gagnon also received a Chief’s Award for his efforts not only serving our community but for his service to our great nation. Dave is a Major in the National Guard in the 104th Military Police Battalion. He left for Ft. Bliss in Texas last May for training to then be deployed in Iraq from September through March of this year. In an emotional statement Chief Fiore says "A testimony to his honor and commitment is that with over 20 years in the National Guard he had the option of retiring, but continued to serve by accepting this mission to Iraq. We are all glad the he has returned home safe and sound. Thank you Dave!!!" Chief gagnon recieved a standing ovation by all that were present.
Next was Firefighter of the year. "Looking over the past years events we could not come up with just a single person or single event" says Chief Gagnon. This award was presented to three members for their efforts. Jim Halloran and John Michalski received the award for their actions in containing and extinguishing a brush fire. Patrick Flannery also received this award for is efforts as a lone responder as he attacked and extinguished a vehicle fire.
Last and surely not least, Mark Swehla Sr. received the 2007 Go-Getter Award as he contributed 195 hours to and responded to 32 of 76 alarms for the Cottekill Volunteer Fire Company.
These are not the only people who deserve recognition. Every member of this fire company does an awesome job and we wish to thank them for their continued service. These men and women put a lot of effort into protecting you. Show them your gratitude. If you happen to see the members listed above or any member of the company, stop to take a moment to say thank you. Without volunteers like them, you wouldn’t have fire protection.
At this time we would like to thank our hosts for the evening, Ivan’s Restaurant at the Rondout Golf Club in Accord. The food is great and the staff are awsome. We would also like to thank Frank Banks of BOSS Systems for a fabulous night of entertainment, and the following local businesses donated gift certificates and items for our event to be raffled off as door prizes. The Crossroads Deli; Marbletown Hardware; New York Video Exchange; Rite Aid; Bill Brooks Barber Shop; Antonio’s Pizzeria; Harmony Gifts; Gina Maries Timeless Sweets; Benny’s Pizza; Victoria Gardens; Valley Video; and Subway Sandwich Shop of Rosendale.
Thanks to State Senator, Firehouse Energy Efficiency Project Completed
The Fire District Commissioners, in an effort to save on heating costs, put into place an energy efficiency plan. Areas found to be in need of attention were doors, windows, insulation and the heating system. In the early years members would donate building materials to save on cost. Unfortunately some of those materials did not fit or seal properly. They also do not hold up to today’s standards as it pertains to efficiency.
Phase one was seal the building better. First was to replace four exterior doors with new matching metal doors fitted with new frames. To improve security all new locks and hardware were also installed including panic bars. Next was to replace three un-insulated windows along the West wall of the engine bay. Now there are new low E/argon double hung windows and frames. The insulation above the engine bay and kitchen was the old blown in type. New fiberglass insulation with an R-38 value was installed.
Phase two was to replace a 20+ year old forced hot air oil furnace. This furnace heated the entire 2800 sq. ft. building. Being forced air it can not be zoned. Planning with a representative from the heating company, we came up with an economical system that suite the needs of the facility. A new forced air system was installed to service the occupied areas of the building, including the meeting room, District office, kitchen and the rest room. A hanging heater was placed in the engine bay and was attached to a separate thermostat. This allows us to keep the engine bay, the largest room in the station, at a lower temperature than the rest of the building. In replacing the system we switched the heating fuel to propane. By doing so, we now burn a single fuel.
We were able to complete both phases of the project prior to the harsh winter weather. This would not have been possible without the assistance of New York State Senator, John Bonacic. The total project cost was $20,000.00, $10,000.00 for each phase. In April of 2007 the Senator was able to secure a grant to cover the costs of phase one. This allowed us to complete both phases at the same time. Thank you Senator Bonacic.
Jane Louise Simpkin – 3/28/1965 – 9/11/2001
“This moving tribute to Jane and all who lost so much was put up by the members of my local firehouse (I was a member here on that day and even though I was a brand new member my fellow firefighters where a great comfort to me). I was deeply moved by this sign and send my thanks to Brad and all my firehouse family.
With much love,”
-Helena Hough-
Chief Brad Fiore received the above e-mail that was sent to family and friends of Helena Hough.
A lot of you may be wondering, “Who is Jane Simpkin?” and why is her name on the message board at the firehouse? Jane is the sister of Helena Hough, Cottekill resident and past member of the Cottekill Volunteer Fire Company, and Laura Glover. Jane lived in Wayland, MA along with her mother Ann.
Jane worked for the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers as a royalty enforcement agent and had recently begun attending classes at the Massachusetts School of Law. Jane loved music and had a strong interest in protecting the rights of musicians. Her other passions included animals, reading and poetry.
Tragically on September 11, 2001 at 9:03 am the plan Jane was aboard, United Airlines Flight 175, was flown into the south tower of the World Trade Center. Jane was one of 2998 people that fell victim to an act of terrorism, but she was more than just a number. She was a daughter, a sister, a friend, a co-worker, an individual that made a difference to the many who knew her. Although none of us here at CVFC ever met Jane, some of us did get to know her through stories told by her mother (mum) and her sister, Helena.
The Cottekill Volunteer Fire Company sends it deepest sympathies to the Simpkin Family, now part of the Cottekill Family.