Elsmere Fire Company Sponsors Explorer Post

Attention 14 to 18 Year Olds....


The Elsmere Fire Company A, Inc. is recruiting young people to train in firefighting skills and techniques. This will be accomplished through drills, meetings, competitions, and parades.

This is a great way to give back to your community. We meet at the Elsmere Fire Station at 15 West Poplar Drive in Elsmere on the first Sunday of every month from 6 to 8pm.

For more information about Explorer Post #30, call (518) 439-9144.


Kevin M Shea Memorial Scholarship Fund

Established by the Sons of the American Legion Post 1040 and the Elsmere Fire Company in memory of Kevin M. Shea.  This scholarship is intended for a senior at Bethlehem Central High School who has participated in student athletics and is actively involved in community service.


The Kevin M. Shea Scholarship was established in 2004 by the Sons of the American Legion Post 1040 in the wake of Kevin’s death on January 24th of that year. Kevin was a Charter Member of the SAL 1040 and active in the events planned, hosted and coordinated by them. Kevin died in the line of duty with the Elsmere Fire Company and was Chief of the Company at the time of his death. Many of the Charter Members of the SAL 1040 were also Active or Social members of the Elsmere Fire Company, and envisioned and coordinated the original fundraising event to seed the scholarship as a way of memorializing this friend and leader in the community.

From 2004 to 2009, the SAL 1040 hosted an annual fundraising event in July of each year to assure the scholarship, and while not a formal partner, the Elsmere Fire Company was a strong supporter of these events. In 2009, members of both organizations joined to investigate a means to ensure the perpetuity of the Shea Scholarship, and to highlight this joint effort, the 2010 scholarship was awarded at a Memorial Day service attended by members of both organizations. In 2011, the Elsmere Fire Company and the Sons of the American Legion Post 1040 formally partnered to fund the Kevin M. Shea Scholarship through The Community Foundation of the Greater Capitol Region.

Kevin was a graduate of Bethlehem Central High School, in the class of 68, and was a student athlete. Kevin was additionally involved in many town-wide events, very active as a community leader, and worked for the Town of Bethlehem as its Director of Code Enforcement. The eligibility requirements have been established to reflect those qualities of Kevin’s life.

 

Find out more about the Kevin M Shea Memorial Scholarship Fund or make a donation to help support this fund.


View Our Recruitment Message on YouTube

Tour the Mass. Fire Academy and Boston Fire Department with Elsmere Firefighters

The Elsmere Fire Company toured the Massachusetts Fire Academy in Stow, MA and fire stations in Boston MA on October 5th. They invite you to see what they saw by Clicking Here.



Good Samaritans Cited for Bravery in Daring Car Fire Rescue


UPDATE: Bethlehem Police have released new details in a rollover crash in Delmar Saturday.

Police said Timothy Berry, 48, of Albany was traveling south on the Delmar Bypass with his child in the vehicle, when he suffered a medical condition and lost control of the vehicle. It left the roadway, overturned, and caught fire.

Occupants of another vehicle traveling behind Berry's saw the crash and stopped to assist, as they saw the vehicle catch fire, police said.

Ludwik Branach and Wieslaw Szczutowski, both of Brooklyn, rushed to Berry's vehicle and were able to break the windows and assist the two occupants to safety, just as the fire was entering the interior of the vehicle.

branach suffered a minir injury from rbaking glass and was treated at the scene. Berry was transported to Albany Medical Center for evaluation.

The Bethlehem Police Department credits Branach and Szczutowski for taking immediate action and preventing the occupants from suffering serious injuries.

DELMAR -- Two passers-by pulled the victims of a crash from their vehicle Saturday -- just as the car caught fire.

Elsmere Assistant Fire Chief John Zboray said the call came in at about 2:30 p.m. for a car that had struck a tree and rolled on Route 32. Zboray said when the call came in, it was reported that there was a patient in the car. By the time the department arrived on scene, the occupants of the vehicle had been extracted by civilians who had seen the overturned car, and the car was fully involved in flames.

The fire department extinguished the vehicle, and no serious injuries were reported.


Fire Police Lieutenant Stephen R. Wright Selected Fire Company’s 2017 Firefighter of the Year

The 2017 Recipient, Fire Police Lieutenant Stephen R. Wright, received this award at the NA Blanchard Legion Post #1040 on March 6, 2017.


Steve joined the Department in July 1975. He has been very involved over the course of his 42 year career. On May 11, 2002 Steve received recognition for his involvement in the 9/11 World Trade Center response. He chaired the Company's Hudson Mohawk Volunteer Firemen's Association Convention in 1992, and the joint Hudson Mohawk Volunteer Firemen's Association / Albany County Volunteer Firemen's Association Convention in 2004. While remaining an active member, he received Life Membership in the Elsmere Fire Company in August of 2000. In 1995, Steve was awarded the Kenneth E. McNary Achievement Award in 1995.

Steve is a member of a number of volunteer firefighter organizations. He served as Property Clerk from April 1979 through April 1983, Vice-President from April 1983 through April 1984 and again from January 1998 through January 1999. He was again elected Vice-President from January 2016 to January 2017. Steve served as President of the Elsmere Fire Company from April 1984 through April 1990, and from January 2000 through January 2002. He also served as a Director from April 1995 through April 1998.

Most recently, Steve has served and continues to serve as Lieutenant of the Fire Police Unit. He has held this rank continuously since January 2009.

This level of involvement easily explains why Steve was selected as Firefighter of the Year, and is well deserving of this recognition.


​Local Teacher with Ties to the Elsmere Fire Department Wins Statewide Award

Mrs. Elisa Futia, Wife of Elsmere Fire Department Assistant Chief Marc Futia, was presented the FASNY Teacher of the Year Award on May 15th.

Click This Link For More Information



Reverend James Daley Presented with Elsmere Fire Company Lifetime Achievement Award

Reverend James Daley was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his service to the Elsmere Fire Company A, Inc. at ceremonies conducted on May 4, 2019 during the annual Inspection....


2019 Lifetime Achievement Award - Reverend James Daley

Our final award tonight goes to a member who has been with us for almost 50 years.A native of Albany and a Priest for over 70 years, Fr. Daley has been a dedicated Chaplain in every way imaginable. He is always present for us in times of need, and has provided compassion and solace in difficult times. At many of our social events, his spiritual guidance and companionship is a gift to each of us.

One of his roles as Chaplain is performing benedictions. Over his 49 years as our chaplain, he always manages to find the right words to suit the occasion, be it light hearted or serious. Not only does he lead us in prayer when one of our brothers or family members has fallen, he also has led us in several funeral services, to bring us much peace, comfort, faith and understanding. At many cemetery services, he teaches us to say goodbye, as we bring our brothers and sisters to their final resting places.

Many of us have felt Fr. Daley’s compassion and support during the tough times in our lives, and particularly feel his grace when he has come to our homes to visit, pray and provide comfort. He truly goes above and beyond his duties as Chaplain, and honestly cares for each and every one of us.

In addition, each year Fr. Daley eagerly awaits opportunities to march with us at the Memorial Day Parade. One of his greatest joys is being able to acknowledge and show solidarity with the Elsmere Fire Company in public events.

For as long as he has been Chaplain, he has attended our annual oyster fry. But it was not until about 10 years ago, with much hesitation, that he actually tried the oysters. Now, he can’t get enough of them……as he can’t get enough of the Elsmere Fire Company. He always reminds us how happy he is that there is not a mandatory retirement age for Chaplains, and has stated that he is honored to be our Chaplain, and will continue to serve as long as he is able.

It is truly and honor and privilege to have Fr. Daley as our chaplain, and for the Elsmere Fire Department to present him with our lifetime achievement award. His dedication for over 49 years as our Chaplain is evident in everything that he does for us, and he truly is one of our own.


1st Responders Honor Garden Dedication

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Dedication of the new "First Responders Honor Garden" was Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 40 Center Lane in Glenmont NY.

"First Responders Honor Garden", a living tribute to the Fire, Police, EMS, and Emergency Medical Professionals for their extraordinary efforts during the COVID-19 Pandemic of 2020.

Sponsored by Lowe's - Glenmont, Advantage Landscaping, Delmar Sign Shop, and "Together, We Are One Bethlehem" This will be a wonderful spot for the entire Community to come visit and reflect upon on what we have all experienced during COVID-19.


https://www.spotlightnews.com/news/2020/05/02/lowes-gifts-bethlehems-first-responders/


Fire Police Officer Michael L. Taylor Honored for Fifty Years of Service

Fire Police Officer Michael L. Taylor was cited for 50 Years of Active service to the Fire Company at a virtual ceremony at the Fire Station on 9/24/2020.



72nd Awards Event Dedicated to Wayne R. Johnson

This is our 72nd annual awards dinner, and as you know, each year we dedicate this event to one of our active or deceased members. This year, we dedicate our program to Wayne R. Johnson. I want to say a few words about Wayne.


On March 24th 1961, about one month after his 18th birthday, Wayne became a social member at Elsmere, and 11 days later on April 4th he became an Active member of the Elsmere Fire Company. He went on military leave a few years later, and upon his return, never left Elsmere Fire again. Wayne is the ultimate community servant. He loves his community and he loves the Elsmere Fire Department. In fact, he spent most of his life in this department serving others. He spent more years here than he has with his wife Barb, more years here than he’s lived in any one house, more years here than he’s worked at any one job, more years here than any one of us present today. That’s a true testament to someone that loves what they are doing. As a volunteer member of this department, he had the courage to face danger wherever he was placed at a fire call, (especially in the 60’s and 70’s when many of the safety equipment and training techniques didn’t even exist) and his life’s mission of serving his community continues to this day. Over the past 60 years, he can truly say that he has seen it all, and accomplished a great deal in both achievements, training and serving. He has received all of our prestigious awards, The Kenneth McNary award, the Firefighter of the Year Award, and the Kevin M. Shea Participation award, received a gold watch and many plaques. He has imposed his guiding hand to train other firefighters, while serving as Lieutenant in the 70’s, and his administrative skills have left an indelible mark on our department, while he served as a Company Director for 9 years, Company and District Treasure, Company Secretary, Company President for 5 consecutive terms,

And Commissioner for over 20 years, …a position which he currently holds today. In addition to all his firematic and administrative skills, one of the most notable attributes about Wayne is his deep and sincere love of the Elsmere Fire Company and all of its members. He treats his brother and sister members like they were his own, and he treats this firehouse like it was his own. There is hardly a day that passes where you won’t see his truck and loyal dog somewhere on the grounds. If he notices something that needs to be done or picked up, he will immediately tend to it….sometimes he may let people know about it, or not be too quiet about it, but he always takes care of it. His pride shines through in everything he does, and everything he does is with the highest ethical and moral standards. Wayne is truly a community servant, and he shows us by example, how important it is to give back to your country, community, family and neighbor. We’re all better people for simple knowing Wayne, and he continues to live on as example to all of us as we continue his legacy of serving our community.

Commissioner Joseph M. Catalano


Elsmere and Delmar Firefighters Support the Bethlehem Food Pantry

Elsmere and Delmar firefighters teamed up to deliver food pantry donations from the Delmar Post Office to Bethlehem Town Hall on Monday (5/16/22) morning. The volunteers made quick work of delivering the many food donations provided by Bethlehem residents.



Elsmere Fire Company Elects Officers for 2024

The Elsmere Fire Company held Annual Election of Officers on December 7, 2023 and the following members were elected to office for 2024.....

The Company Nominated, and the Board of Fire Commissioners appointed, the following District Officers for 2024:


Chief: Marc F. Futia

1st Assistant Chief: Robert C. Baldwin

2nd Assistant Chief: Jeffrey M. Obernesser *

Also, the Company Elected the following Company Line Officers for 2024:

Captain: Michael A. Moon *

1st Lieutenant: William J. Yates *

2nd Lieutenant: Donald J. Ballard

3rd Lieutenant: Jacob W. Meester *

4th Lieutenant: Shane C. Cassidy *

Fire Police Lieutenant: Robert C. McElroy

Finally, the Company Elected the following Civil Officers for 2024:

President: Brendan J. Boyle

Vice-President: Elizabeth A. Miele

Treasurer: John C. Murphy

Secretary: James G. Foster

Quartermaster: Matthew H. Grant

Director (3 Year Term Expiring 12/31/26): Frank J. Wickham *

Chaplain: Rev. Scott Garno, Rev. Daniel McHale

Lay Chaplains: Joseph M. Catalano, Chris E. Cupernall *, Matthew H. Grant, Julia K. Holbrook *, Samuel J. Sleurs *, Scott A. Turner *

* indicates a change in office holder


2024 Fish Frys Scheduled