Exempt Firemen's Association is 'the club' to join

[JetPhoto 626]

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Exempt Firemen's Association is 'the club' to join

By John Davis

Poughkeepsie Journal

With its revamped hall and active social calendar, the Exempt Firemen's Association building in Poughkeepsie is becoming the place for local firefighters to unwind.

Lately, more and more volunteers from across Dutchess County have been enjoying the camaraderie at the association's headquarters on Mansion Street in the city.

"This has become the club to become a part of," said Chris Petsas, chairman of the association's board of governors. "I don't think there's too many clubs that talk about a moratorium on membership."

A change in the association's leadership two years ago led to the recent surge in membership - from about 600 in 2005 to nearly 2,100 now.

Six club officers resigned in August 2005 after Petsas and board member Susan Pace met with representatives from the state Attorney General's Office about the fiscal management of the association.

Petsas, a volunteer with the Roosevelt Fire Department in Hyde Park, said fiscal improprieties were taking place at the time.

"It was a terrible situation that could have been prevented if they were more open with the books," Petsas said this week.

Now, he said, financial decisions are made in the open by the members who elect to attend the monthly meetings.

"We have empowered the membership," Petsas said. "We bring everything to the members first. We vote on everything."

Club President Robert Boyles Jr. said members have responded to the chance to participate in budgeting.

"We used to have 13 people at meetings and now (there are) 100," he said.

Boyles' election as president after the 2005 shakeup has been a major factor in boosting the membership, local firefighters said.

"Not only is he a fire chief in Wassaic, he is very active in the county at parades and other events," said William Beale, president of the Hughsonville Fire Company. "He really creates enthusiasm and he really has a way about him that is welcoming."

Volunteers are praised

Boyles said he is a big supporter of volunteer firefighters. While Wassaic and most of the rural fire companies are still entirely staffed by volunteers, paid staff are the norm in the county's urban areas.

Fire departments in the rapidly growing towns are hiring staff to supplement their cadres of volunteers.

"If it wasn't for volunteer fire companies in Dutchess County, the taxes would be through the roof," Boyles said.

The club's president is continuing a tradition that dates to the group's first meeting in 1886.

"It's an honor for me to be president since my grandfather was a founding member," Boyles said.

Originally called the Veteran Firemen's Association, the organization changed its name about 1900. That's when the state Legislature approved a law exempting volunteer firefighters with five years of service from jury duty and certain taxes, Petsas said. The law expired but the name lives on.

Boyles initiated the "100 Percent Membership Campaign," which has enabled entire fire companies to join for a $100 annual fee. So far 20 companies from throughout the county have joined.

"It worked out well. We picked up 60 percent of the fire companies," Petsas said.

Not all new members are active ones, though. Volunteers with some member companies said they have yet to visit the Exempt headquarters.

In some companies, like Hughsonville, only a small group of the 55 volunteers, attend activities at the club on a regular basis.

Beale, who is in that group, likes attending clam bakes and other special events at the Exempt hall. They are opportunities to become better acquainted with volunteer firefighters from throughout the county.

"Many times we see each other at emergency scenes and don't have too much time to socialize," said Beale, who is also a Town of Wappinger councilman.

Probably more than half of the nearly 2,100 members could be considered active. More than 1,000 keyless passcards have been issued to members, allowing them to gain access to the headquarters, Petsas said.

Some of the club's longtime members are glad to see the change in leadership and renewal of interest in the Exempt's among the county's volunteers.

Membership had "kind of fallen by the wayside," said Robert Bergfels, a club member since 1978 and volunteer firefighter with Wassaic since 1964.

Bergfels said it was the social life at the Exempt hall - a 28-mile drive from Wassaic - which led him to join.

"It was a fraternal thing where you could get together with other firefighters," he said.

Women members rise

Unlike earlier times, women are now a greater percentage of the association's membership - about 25 percent.

Some women are volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians with companies that have joined through the 100 Percent Membership Campaign.

Rebecca Richard is an emergency medical technician on the Millbrook Fire Department rescue squad. She has enjoyed her several visits to the Exempt hall, including the St. Patrick's Day dance and the Christmas Party.

"They have awesome bands there on Friday nights," Richard said.

Carol Kozlowski is one of the social members. A City of Poughkeepsie resident, she was sold on the club after her visit a number of years ago.

"I came as a guest and knew a lot of people," she said.

Kozlowski, who is on the board of governors, said the hall is the place to get a good meal at a good price.

On Tuesday, members paid $5 for a spaghetti and meatball dinner. At Thursday's clam night, members paid $3 for 12 steamers.

"We can't eat anywhere cheaper than here," Kozlowski said.

The association is more than a social club. It supports and honors volunteer firefighters who are held in high regard by their peers. The Leather New Yorker Helmet is given to those firefighters.

The group also is honoring volunteers who have reached 25 and 50 years of service with their companies. Recently the club honored four volunteers in the Pawling fire department for 50 years of service: James Nielsen, Timothy Kelly, Louis Swing and William Bailey.

At Pawling's installation of officers ceremony in January, Boyles presented each volunteer a commemorative statue of a firefighter.

"It's a seldom attained accomplishment," Nielsen said. "I'm happy."

Nielsen placed his statue on top of his television at home.

"I want people to see it when they come in," he said.

Richard said while she enjoys the social side of the association, it is the recognition the club gives volunteers that makes her proud to be a member.

"I think it's a very good thing," she said. "The club has a pretty good reputation."

Huge parade planned

The members are looking to celebrate the volunteer firefighter spirit in grand fashion. In conjunction with the Hudson Valley Firemen's Association, the association plans in 2011 to hold the biggest and longest parade in Dutchess County history. That's when the Hudson Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association will hold its annual convention and parade in Poughkeepsie.

The event is expected to draw thousands of firefighters and fire trucks from 16 counties. The Hudson Valley association last held its parade in Poughkeepsie in 1950.

In the more immediate future, the Exempt is planning on purchasing a parcel on North Clinton Street near the hall to provide more member parking.

The organization has its eyes on acquiring the century-old O.H. Booth Hose Company firehouse on Main Street. That firehouse will close when Poughkeepsie firefighters move to a new public safety facility nearby.

Members are hoping the city will donate the old firehouse. The firemen's association wants to convert it into a museum highlighting the city's firefighting history.

The museum also could be an ideal place to teach children about fire safety.

It would only be fitting, Petsas said, for the association to expand its mission in the firehouse named after its founder, Oliver H. Booth.

"It makes sense," he said. "It's a great old building."

Reach John Davis at jpdavis@poughkeepsiejournal.com or 845-437-4807.

Exempt Firemen's Association highlights

Nov. 10, 1886 - Exempt Firemen's Association is established in the City of Poughkeepsie with 40 members.

Oliver H. Booth was the first association president. The Main Street firehouse - O.H. Booth Hose Company - is named after him.

The association's first headquarters was at 54 Market St. The group moved to 359 Main St. and then to 11 Liberty St.

From 1920 to 1960, a stately Victorian at 235 Mill St. was the home of the association.

In 1960, the association acquired its headquarters at 200 Mansion St.

To be eligible for membership, one must have served at least five years as an active member in a volunteer fire department. The club offers "social memberships" to nonfirefighter residents and firefighters who have less than five years of service.

Membership has fluctuated over the years: about 600 in 1930 to 250 in 1960 to nearly 2,100 in July 2007. Current membership includes 1,600 volunteer firefighters and 500 social members.

Women volunteers and supporters account for about 25 percent of the current membership. Another half-dozen belong to the Ladies Aides of the Exempt Firemen's Association.

The Exempt Firemen's Association Marching Unit participates in numerous parades each year in and outside Dutchess County.

In 2011, the Hudson Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association Convention and Parade will be held in the City of Poughkeepsie.

[Guest WCDES636]

Sounds fun. I think we need to start the EMTBRAVO Emergency Services Lounge. A bar and a poker room.

[TRUCK6018 50]

To be eligible for membership, one must have served at least five years as an active member in a volunteer fire department. The club offers "social memberships" to nonfirefighter residents and firefighters who have less than five years of service.

My question is, what is the difference between regular membership and "social" membership aside from years of service?

Edited July 14, 2007 by TRUCK6018

[helicopper 1,050]

My question is, what is the difference between regular membership and "social" membership aside from years of service?

Social members have to buy!

[Future Fireman 4]

Sounds fun. I think we need to start the EMTBRAVO Emergency Services Lounge. A bar and a poker room.

Wait one moment. Is EMTBravo Trademarked and Copyrighted?

Mike