CCVFA 94th Annual Convention Meeting Chatham 07/26/19
The first session of the 94th Annual Convention of the Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Association was held at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Chatham, New York. During the meeting the Firefighter of the Year and Lifetime Achievement awards were presented.
Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Association
94th Annual Convention
Firefighter of the Year
Lifetime Firefighter Achievement
Award Ceremony
July 26th, 2019
Committee Members
Laura Foster - CCVFA
John Blaauw-CCVFA
Eric Barnes-CCVFA
Steve Montie - CCVFA
Joseph H. Loeffler- Columbia County Fire Coordinator
Matthew Larabee – Chiefs Association
The 2019 Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Association Firefighter of the Year Award is presented to:
Chief Paul Rideout
Asst. Chief Eric Barnes
Firefighter Alex Horst
Firefighter Gregory Horst
On a chilly Sunday morning, Mother’s Day, May 13, 2018 at 08:26 the Chatham and Ghent Fire Departments were dispatched to the Chatham Manor Apartments, 18 School St., Village of Chatham for a reported fire alarm activation. Chatham Manor is a 32 apartment, elderly and handicapped housing facility. The first arriving Chief, Assistant Chief John Howe initiated command and confirmed a working fire with heavy smoke coming from the first floor. He received reports of residents trapped in their apartments which he relayed to other responding chiefs and first due units. A task Force alarm was struck, which brought mutual aid from several neighboring departments.
Upon arrival of Cars 1 and 3, Chief Paul Rideout and Assistant Chief Eric Barnes an initial size up, and inspection of the first floor revealed that there was heavy fire within apartment 7 and working into the main lobby. Assistant Chief Barnes began a primary search where he was met with heavy fire and was unable to initially complete a search of the apartment. Chief Rideout awaited the arrival of Ladder 58-51 where he obtained one 1 ¾” line and advanced it into the lobby. Chiefs Barnes and Rideout completed an initial attack and contained the fire to the one first floor apartment. Once the fire was knocked down, a primary search of the apartment continued.
While searching for trapped victims, the Chiefs were met with obstructions, a large motorized wheelchair was located blocking the doorway to the bedroom. At this time Firefighters Alex and Gregory Horst joined the battle.
The Horst brothers entered the heavy smoke-filled room, assisted in removing the wheelchair and continued with the search. At this point, the Horst FF’s were able to locate a gravely injured resident who was badly burned, but still alive. Thinking quickly, they placed the victim on a bed sheet and were able to drag the victim to the door of the apartment where other Chatham FF’s were awaiting to assist in extricating him from the building.
While this search and rescue was underway FF’s continued with fire suppression and ventilating the remainder of the apartment and building; all while commencing primary and secondary searches of the remainder of the complex. In all the rescue lasted approximately 20 minutes and in the end 3 victims were rescued from the apartment building. The fire was quickly extinguished and contained to one apartment.
The gravely injured victim was flown from the scene to the Westchester Medical Center where he tragically succumbed to his injuries several hours later.
These four firefighters and all first responding firefighters from Chatham on that Mother’s Day are recognized for their bravery and courage. On a day when most are home with their families, maybe going to brunch, maybe planning the day with a loved one, these firefighters voluntarily responding to the call for duty, raced into harm’s way and saved total strangers. They saved strangers to them, but these strangers are loved ones to others!! This is what community volunteers do……. This is what a community is. Chatham is the quintessential community! Neighbors helping neighbors!
The 2019 Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Association Lifetime Firefighter Achievement Award is presented to:
EMS Coordinator Paul J. “PJ” Keeler Jr.
Like many young residents in Columbia County, Mr. Keeler joined his local volunteer fire organization, the A.B Shaw Fire company, 43 years ago in 1976. To put that in perspective, a first class stamp cost $0.13; a gallon of gas was just $0.59. There were no FAST teams, OSHA, Meters or TIC’s; or Day Time Mutual Aid.
Over the years many viewed advancements in techniques, regulations, and technology as obstacles, PJ embraced them. He understands that to be successful and safe, you have to think outside the box. You have to accept the challenges and develop strategies to overcome them.
In 1980, PJ joined the all volunteer Greenport Rescue Squad to further serve his beloved community. During his tenure with the rescue squad he was able to advocate for enhanced protection and medical monitoring of his brother firefighters as the answered the call of duty. Over the past 40 years he has championed the cause of ensuring the medical and psychological well being of all first responders.
In 2000 PJ was appointed CC EMS Coordinator. One of his first projects as Coordinator was to collaborate with his tong time friend and Fire Coordinator Jim VanDuesen to expand the County’s Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team to ensure no brother or sister FF was left alone to struggle with the stresses that come with the daily traumatic events that we all face.
Yet, PJ wasn’t done there. Through the years he ensured this program continued and grew. He continues to answer the calls day or night. When our brothers or sisters need some to talk to or there is need for the stress team, PJ is the first to put everything down and respond.
In 2018 PJ came to aid of all Columbia County Firefighters once again; this time in his role as County Treasurer. As most know the State of New York had recently passed a law requiring all fire departments and municipalities provide cancer insurance coverage to all qualified members. Obviously in theory the law was great, however the State failed to provide funding for the coverage, pushing the burden of paying for the coverage onto all of our already financially stressed small departments. PJ, through is forward thinking and care for all of our fighters, once again came through. Mr. Keeler developed an innovative plan to help pay for the coverage using savings realized from the county’s worker compensation program. His plan gained immediate bi-partisan support from the board of supervisors and overwhelming support from the Volunteer fire service. This plan is now in effect and qualified fire fighters over the entire county are now provided with much needed and deserving insurance coverage.
PJ has served in various roles in the fire service over the years, including firefighter, EMS Captain, Fire Commissioner and others. Most importantly he continues to serve as a role model to all firefighters and leaders throughout our communities.
To this day, he continues to selflessly serve as a seasoned veteran and friend to all, no matter your station, position or rank.
We are deeply indebted to Mr. Keeler, for his dedication and service to the A.B. Shaw Fire Company, Town of Claverack, Greenport Community and the greater Columbia County area as a whole.
94th Annual Convention
Firefighter of the Year
Lifetime Firefighter Achievement
Award Ceremony
July 26th, 2019
Committee Members
Laura Foster - CCVFA
John Blaauw-CCVFA
Eric Barnes-CCVFA
Steve Montie - CCVFA
Joseph H. Loeffler- Columbia County Fire Coordinator
Matthew Larabee – Chiefs Association
The 2019 Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Association Firefighter of the Year Award is presented to:
Chief Paul Rideout
Asst. Chief Eric Barnes
Firefighter Alex Horst
Firefighter Gregory Horst
On a chilly Sunday morning, Mother’s Day, May 13, 2018 at 08:26 the Chatham and Ghent Fire Departments were dispatched to the Chatham Manor Apartments, 18 School St., Village of Chatham for a reported fire alarm activation. Chatham Manor is a 32 apartment, elderly and handicapped housing facility. The first arriving Chief, Assistant Chief John Howe initiated command and confirmed a working fire with heavy smoke coming from the first floor. He received reports of residents trapped in their apartments which he relayed to other responding chiefs and first due units. A task Force alarm was struck, which brought mutual aid from several neighboring departments.
Upon arrival of Cars 1 and 3, Chief Paul Rideout and Assistant Chief Eric Barnes an initial size up, and inspection of the first floor revealed that there was heavy fire within apartment 7 and working into the main lobby. Assistant Chief Barnes began a primary search where he was met with heavy fire and was unable to initially complete a search of the apartment. Chief Rideout awaited the arrival of Ladder 58-51 where he obtained one 1 ¾” line and advanced it into the lobby. Chiefs Barnes and Rideout completed an initial attack and contained the fire to the one first floor apartment. Once the fire was knocked down, a primary search of the apartment continued.
While searching for trapped victims, the Chiefs were met with obstructions, a large motorized wheelchair was located blocking the doorway to the bedroom. At this time Firefighters Alex and Gregory Horst joined the battle.
The Horst brothers entered the heavy smoke-filled room, assisted in removing the wheelchair and continued with the search. At this point, the Horst FF’s were able to locate a gravely injured resident who was badly burned, but still alive. Thinking quickly, they placed the victim on a bed sheet and were able to drag the victim to the door of the apartment where other Chatham FF’s were awaiting to assist in extricating him from the building.
While this search and rescue was underway FF’s continued with fire suppression and ventilating the remainder of the apartment and building; all while commencing primary and secondary searches of the remainder of the complex. In all the rescue lasted approximately 20 minutes and in the end 3 victims were rescued from the apartment building. The fire was quickly extinguished and contained to one apartment.
The gravely injured victim was flown from the scene to the Westchester Medical Center where he tragically succumbed to his injuries several hours later.
These four firefighters and all first responding firefighters from Chatham on that Mother’s Day are recognized for their bravery and courage. On a day when most are home with their families, maybe going to brunch, maybe planning the day with a loved one, these firefighters voluntarily responding to the call for duty, raced into harm’s way and saved total strangers. They saved strangers to them, but these strangers are loved ones to others!! This is what community volunteers do……. This is what a community is. Chatham is the quintessential community! Neighbors helping neighbors!
The 2019 Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters Association Lifetime Firefighter Achievement Award is presented to:
EMS Coordinator Paul J. “PJ” Keeler Jr.
Like many young residents in Columbia County, Mr. Keeler joined his local volunteer fire organization, the A.B Shaw Fire company, 43 years ago in 1976. To put that in perspective, a first class stamp cost $0.13; a gallon of gas was just $0.59. There were no FAST teams, OSHA, Meters or TIC’s; or Day Time Mutual Aid.
Over the years many viewed advancements in techniques, regulations, and technology as obstacles, PJ embraced them. He understands that to be successful and safe, you have to think outside the box. You have to accept the challenges and develop strategies to overcome them.
In 1980, PJ joined the all volunteer Greenport Rescue Squad to further serve his beloved community. During his tenure with the rescue squad he was able to advocate for enhanced protection and medical monitoring of his brother firefighters as the answered the call of duty. Over the past 40 years he has championed the cause of ensuring the medical and psychological well being of all first responders.
In 2000 PJ was appointed CC EMS Coordinator. One of his first projects as Coordinator was to collaborate with his tong time friend and Fire Coordinator Jim VanDuesen to expand the County’s Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team to ensure no brother or sister FF was left alone to struggle with the stresses that come with the daily traumatic events that we all face.
Yet, PJ wasn’t done there. Through the years he ensured this program continued and grew. He continues to answer the calls day or night. When our brothers or sisters need some to talk to or there is need for the stress team, PJ is the first to put everything down and respond.
In 2018 PJ came to aid of all Columbia County Firefighters once again; this time in his role as County Treasurer. As most know the State of New York had recently passed a law requiring all fire departments and municipalities provide cancer insurance coverage to all qualified members. Obviously in theory the law was great, however the State failed to provide funding for the coverage, pushing the burden of paying for the coverage onto all of our already financially stressed small departments. PJ, through is forward thinking and care for all of our fighters, once again came through. Mr. Keeler developed an innovative plan to help pay for the coverage using savings realized from the county’s worker compensation program. His plan gained immediate bi-partisan support from the board of supervisors and overwhelming support from the Volunteer fire service. This plan is now in effect and qualified fire fighters over the entire county are now provided with much needed and deserving insurance coverage.
PJ has served in various roles in the fire service over the years, including firefighter, EMS Captain, Fire Commissioner and others. Most importantly he continues to serve as a role model to all firefighters and leaders throughout our communities.
To this day, he continues to selflessly serve as a seasoned veteran and friend to all, no matter your station, position or rank.
We are deeply indebted to Mr. Keeler, for his dedication and service to the A.B. Shaw Fire Company, Town of Claverack, Greenport Community and the greater Columbia County area as a whole.
Freda VanDeusen of Claverack was presented a resolution honoring her past husband, Richard VanDeusen for all the work he put forth in the fire service of Cloumbia County.
Click here for the resolution.
Click here for the resolution.
Photos by Kara Keeler & Richard E. Lindmark