98th Annual CCVFA Convention Meeting Ghent 07/28/23
The Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Association held it's 98th Firefighters Convention in Ghent. President Kyle Wilber presided.
The memorial service was conducted by Chaplin Daniel Herrick.
Fifty plus year members of the volunteer fire service were recognized.
The annual Red Hat collection was taken.
The Firefighters Award Ceremony was led by Eric Barnes. The awards committee members are: Eric Barnes - Committee Chair, John Blaauw - CCVFA, Steve Montie - CCVFA, Wayne Gearing - Columbia County Fire Coordinator and Gregg Gilliland – Chiefs Association.
This year two Lifetime Firefighter Achievement awards were presented and one Firefighter of the year award was presented.
FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR - JOSEPH H. LOEFFLER
The 2023 Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Association Firefighter of the Year Award is presented to: Chief Joseph H. Loeffler On July 5, 1989, 18-year-old Joseph H. Loeffler was sworn in as a member of the Valatie Fire Department, more affectionately known as the Lafayette Chemical Company. That simple ceremony marked four generations of his family who had joined the fire service. It then came as no surprise that in April of 1991 Joe was elected Captain just shy of his 20th birthday. After all, he had grown up around the firehouse in a family that has firefighting in their blood. It was further no surprise that in April of 1995 he was elected Assistant Chief, a position he held for two years. In 1997, he was elected Chief of the Department following in his legendary father’s footsteps, Joseph F. Loeffler (Papa Joe) who held the position of Chief for 40-years. Joe’s 1995 election as Assistant Chief began a 28-year run that continues to this day where he has consecutively held one of the three chief officer’s position in the department including 21 years as Chief of the Department. In 2013 Joes knowledge and dedication to the fire service in Columbia County was put to the test when he was appointed by then Fire Coordinator John Howe to Deputy Fire Coordinator. Joe served 10-years as DC, representing Battalion 4 and the coordinating the Hazmat Team.
With all of Joes accomplishments and his resume, it wasn’t until an incident in the early morning hours of December 21, 2022 that brings us here today. On a that chilly early December morning, Chief Loeffler, responded to a reported structure fire on New Street in the Village of Valatie. Initial reports to 911 reported a fire on the second floor of the residence. On arrival Car 1 confirmed a working fire. Upon learning that there were still residents in the building, he, along with New York State Trooper Joseph Edinger, Trooper Nick Norton, Columbia County Sheriff's Deputy Stephen Naegeli and Deputy Tyler Suchoski, without regard for their own safety, entered the structure. Due to the fire and smoke, they were unable to complete the rescue from the interior. They devised a plan to rescue several residents from the burning home through a rear exterior window. Without their quick action and bravery, the outcome may have been tragically different. Chief Loeffler undoubtedly has saved numerous souls over his 30 plus year firefighting career. This most recent selfless act to save other members of his community just highlights the dedication and courage that Joe has. Chief – I, my office, the CCVFA, your community and the entire Columbia County congratulate and thank you for your service. You Sir are a hero and this award is truly deserved!! Thank you!
LIFETIME FIREFIGHTER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD - GEORGE HERRMANN
The 2023 Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Association Lifetime Firefighter Achievement Award is presented to: Chief George Herrmann It is a tremendous honor to stand here before you and be able to present this award. Not only is Chief Herrmann a role model, I’m proud to be able to call him a true friend. George meets the qualifications for the Lifetime Achievement Award to a ‘T’. And, whats more fitting than to be able to present this award to George, here at our convention. George Herrmann joined the Ghent Volunteer Fire Company, No.1, Inc. in 1961, following closely in the footsteps of his father Jacob Herrmann. As George has said, “joining the Fire Company was something you just did, and whenever my father went to the firehouse, I’d jump in the truck and go with him,”” That decision in 1961 has led George on a 62-year firematic journey that has not just benefited the residents of Ghent, but communities throughout Columbia County. After serving for 17 years as a firefighter and junior officer, George became a “second generation” Chief of the Ghent Volunteer Fire Company in 1979, holding that position for two years through 1980, following his father who was Chief from 1965-66. As he describes it, those days were a bit different than now. “If we had 10 coats, 10 helmets, and 10 pair of boots, that was a lot.” His first fire as a Chief came in February 1979 when the Alms House burnt. One of the most historic fires on record in Ghent. Anyone who made that call on that winter night will remember the temperatures dropping to about 18 degrees below zero, as George led the fire suppression operations at one of the town’s largest structures. After serving those two years as Chief, George moved on to become a Deputy Fire Coordinator for Columbia County. He served in this capacity for 14 years into the early ‘90s, responsible for coordination of firefighting activities in many of the communities in the northern part of Columbia County. During that period George was involved in initial efforts to establish the 911 system. He also has served as President of the Columbia County Fire Chiefs Association. However, perhaps George’s greatest impact to the Ghent Volunteer Fire Company has been his 40-year term as Treasurer. Over the 100-year history of the Ghent Volunteer Fire Company there have been only 8 Company Treasurers, and George has been there forty percent of that time. As the saying goes, “no good deed goes on unpunished.” It was election night in 1982 when the chairman of the nominating committee approached George about “filling the spot” of Treasurer on a temporary basis until he could find a replacement. The rest is history and George has been there ever since. In his role as Company Treasurer, George has overseen the financing of many changes and helped manage the significant growth of the Ghent Fire Company. When he started in the early ‘80s, it only took about an hour per month to manage the books. Now it takes upwards of 10 hours. In addition, George has provided steady leadership as the company has purchased multiple new apparatus, modernized equipment and undergone a significant reconstruction of the fire station. But perhaps George’s strongest asset is one of “unofficial” historian of the Ghent Fire Company. There is not a meeting night or other event where George does not share a story about the forefathers of Ghent. His link to those past members is truly one that binds all of Ghent firefighters throughout its 100-year history. George has a body of work in the fire and public service which is unlike many others. His assiduous service continues to this day. He continues to selflessly serve as a seasoned veteran and leader. We are deeply indebted to Chief Herrmann, for his dedication and service to the Ghent Fire Company, Town of Ghent, Battalion 4 and the entire county of Columbia.
LIFETIME FIREFIGHTER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD JOHN "JACK" LANPHEAR
The 2023 Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Association Lifetime Firefighter Achievement Award is presented to: Chief John ‘Jack’ Lanphear Chief Lanphear was nominated by the Tri-Village Fire Company. He is a life member of the Tri Village fire company after having joined in 1966. During his lifelong service to the community, in 1969 he was first elected to station Lieutenant. Moving up through the ranks over the years, he was eventually elected to Chief in 1989 through 1991. Jack’s service to this County and his Community started well before he was a member of this great association. When Jack became a firefighter in 1966, he was not even 16 yet. It is noted that during Jack’s tenure he played a large part in two major changes in the fire service around the Old Chatham area. Jack is known as a pioneer in the fire companies’ extrication program, and continues to provide training. Most notably, Jack is credited with having a major role in ensuring the construction of the new TVFD station. Chief Lanphear’s list of accomplishments and services to the community far exceed the time I have here tonight. Beyond his dedication to the firefighters in this community, Jack is a Mentor and leader to his family and many more in the greater Columbia County. Jack was so committed to mentoring and training young firefighters, that in 2016 he even invited several companies to his own property for a live burn in his garage!!! The rest of the story is better told by the host and can be heard later over a cool beverage! Jack – known as the unofficial PIO for the TVFD, was not only the main force behind seeing through the new fire station capitol project, but the ‘country boy’ press official for all media inquiries. In doing some research, an article found in the Times Union, July 16, 2006, Jack is quoted as saying the opposition (to the new station) “amounts to shooting a chickadee with a shotgun.” Jack always has a way with words. Whether someone needs an ear to listen, a young firefighter needs training or mentoring, or the community just needs some levity, Jack is always there!! Chief, the CCVFA and this committee commend you, for your decades of service and dedication to not only the Tri-Village Fire Company, but to the entire fire service in Columbia County.
The 2023 Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Association Lifetime Firefighter Achievement Award is presented to: Chief John ‘Jack’ Lanphear Chief Lanphear was nominated by the Tri-Village Fire Company. He is a life member of the Tri Village fire company after having joined in 1966. During his lifelong service to the community, in 1969 he was first elected to station Lieutenant. Moving up through the ranks over the years, he was eventually elected to Chief in 1989 through 1991. Jack’s service to this County and his Community started well before he was a member of this great association. When Jack became a firefighter in 1966, he was not even 16 yet. It is noted that during Jack’s tenure he played a large part in two major changes in the fire service around the Old Chatham area. Jack is known as a pioneer in the fire companies’ extrication program, and continues to provide training. Most notably, Jack is credited with having a major role in ensuring the construction of the new TVFD station. Chief Lanphear’s list of accomplishments and services to the community far exceed the time I have here tonight. Beyond his dedication to the firefighters in this community, Jack is a Mentor and leader to his family and many more in the greater Columbia County. Jack was so committed to mentoring and training young firefighters, that in 2016 he even invited several companies to his own property for a live burn in his garage!!! The rest of the story is better told by the host and can be heard later over a cool beverage! Jack – known as the unofficial PIO for the TVFD, was not only the main force behind seeing through the new fire station capitol project, but the ‘country boy’ press official for all media inquiries. In doing some research, an article found in the Times Union, July 16, 2006, Jack is quoted as saying the opposition (to the new station) “amounts to shooting a chickadee with a shotgun.” Jack always has a way with words. Whether someone needs an ear to listen, a young firefighter needs training or mentoring, or the community just needs some levity, Jack is always there!! Chief, the CCVFA and this committee commend you, for your decades of service and dedication to not only the Tri-Village Fire Company, but to the entire fire service in Columbia County.
Photos by Richard E. Lindmark