In the month of March, the Rombout Fire Department responded to 30 calls.
This included nine motor vehicles accidents, one vehicle fire, ten automatic alarms, six false alarms, one medical assist call, one gas leak, one building fire and one oil spill. The Rombout Fire Department twice provided mutual aid with standby in quarters for the City of Beacon. This makes 133 total calls for the year.
On March 13, firefighters from Glenham FD and Rombout FD participated in a joint Cold and Ice Water Rescue Seminar, which was held at Glenham Fire House with field training done in the freezing waters of Fishkill Creek. Craig Elderken, a 28 year career firefighter from Fairview Fire District instructed this NYS Certified 6-hour course. The volunteer firefighters were instructed in the use of the ice rescue suit, the reach throw or go techniques for rescuing the victim, and scene safety. The newly certified personnel from Rombout FD are Asst. Chief John Cerrato, Captain Charles Kuehner, First Lt. Wes Hall, Chief Jeff Marino, Second Lt. Rob Schulz and Firefighter Kenneth Schulze.
On Saturday, March 27th, several members attended a seminar hosted by the Putnam County Fire Chiefs Association at the Putnam Valley High School. The topic was safe rescue operations as they relate to new vehicle technology and also safe highway operations. The Speaker was Ron Moore, the pre-eminent authority in the field of vehicle rescue. Ron Moore is a contributing editor to Firehouse Magazine and is a Batallion Chief in the McKinney, TX Fire Department. Members receiving training included: Firefighter Pete Delfico, Captain Charles Kuehner, First Lt. Wes Hall, Chief Jeff Marino, Firefighter Chris Mazzuca, Firefighter Brian O'Connell, Second Lt. Rob Schulz, Firefighter Kenneth Schulze and Safety Officer Paul Tompkins.
The pancake breakfast held on March 7 was a success with almost 300 people feasting on eggs and pancakes. The event chairmen, John Lucariello and Wes Hall, wish to thank all that attended and to the firefighters and the Ladies Auxiliary for their help at the breakfast. Due to this success, a breakfast is planned for the fall. The chairmen would also like to thank the following businesses that donated to the breakfast fund raiser: Courtyard by Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn, Shop-Rite of Fishkill, Valero Convenience Store, Bagel Shoppe, Sportsman\’s Deli, Seasons II Restaurant, Sam's Club and Wal-Mart.
In upcoming events; on Saturday May 8, the Rombout Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary will be hosting a Two-Penny Social at the Rombout Fire House on Route 52, just north of Interstate 84. Doors open at 11:00 am and calling will start at 1:00 PM. For more information please call 845-896-8620.