The Clinton Heights Fire Department recently held its Annual Installation Banquet at the Century House, Latham, N.Y. at which those newly elected to hold office for the year 2017 were recognized. Installed as Chief of the Department was William K. O’Connor who took the oath of office as administered by his father, William T. O’Connor, Past Assistant Chief of the Clifton Park Fire Department. Installing the new Assistant Chiefs was Past Chief Seth J. Tracy; taking the oath was Assistant Chief Christopher M. Racine and Stephen J. Bestler. The Line Officers for the new year were sworn in by East Greenbush Town Supervisor, Jack Conway. He administered the oath to Captains Aaron Jennes and Thomas Penk and Lieutenants Timothy Kirsch, Marcus Kravitz, Nicholas Petramale, and Joseph Faranda.
The Civil or Table Officers for the next twelve months were sworn in by Christopher Meyer, Deputy County Executive of Rensselaer County. Those taking office for the W. F. Bruen Hose Company were: President Tony Hazzard, Vice President Richard Hendrick, Secretary Dave Jordan, Treasurer Thomas Burns, Sergeant-at-Arms Stephen Moore and Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Glokler. The newly installed Board of Directors for Bruen Hose are Tony Hazzard, Stephen Bestler, Dave Jordan, Thomas Burns, Frank Fiato, Richard Hendrick and William O’Connor. For the Community Hose Fire Company: President Nicholas Petramale, Vice President Kevin DeRusso, Secretary Paul Bednarczyk, Treasurer Edward Pratt, Financial Secretary John Farrell Jr., and Sergeant-at-Arms Charlie Higgins. The members of the new Board of Directors for Community Hose are Paul Bednarczyk, John Farrell Jr., Marcus Kravitz, Theodore LaPlante, Dave Caneen, Timothy Kirsch, Nicholas Petramale, Edward Pratt and Ronald Stark. Chief William K. O’Connor oversaw the installation of the Officers of the Ladies Auxiliary; newly elected are President Bernadette Hazzard, Vice President Chrissy Phillips, Secretary Leigh Newell, Treasurer Helene Reed and Chaplain Joyce Smith.
Several Awards and Presentations were made during the course of the evening. The W. F. Bruen Hose Company and The Community Hose Fire Company both honored Past Chief Seth Tracy as did the Board of Fire Commissioners. On behalf of the Fire District, Past Chief Tracy presented the annual John Mitchell Sr. Award to recently deceased Firefighter Douglas Noble. Accepting this award and other honors bestowed in the memory of Doug was his wife Jessica Noble.
Representatives of neighboring fire departments were honored guests at the ceremonies including East Greenbush FD, Best Luther FD, South Schodack FD, Castleton FD, Bruen Rescue Squad and Defreestville FD as well as The East Greenbush Police Department and Chief of Police, Chris Lavin. Members of the East Greenbush Town Board were present: Supervisor Jack Conway, Board Members Tom Grant, Mary Ann Matters and Deb Di Martino. And as mentioned, Rensselaer Deputy County Executive Christopher Meyer. The Master of Ceremonies for the gathering was Past Chief Ted Mulberry Sr.
Photos by Dave Feiden
