Last Saturday the Clintondale Fire Department held their annual Installation Dinner at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel.

1st Assistant Chief Chris Raffa handed out the Department Awards, starting with the Top Drills: Patty Brooks, Melissa Leon, Sherri Mackey, Michaela Raffa, Deanna Mackey, Rick Raffa, Chris Raffa, Todd Raffa, Rick Brooks, Jack Lunsford, Robin Lynk, Billy Mackey, Mickey Palazzo, Brandon Palmateer, Vinny Scacciaferro, Caitlin Shoureck, Meghan Shoureck, Jeremy Nash and Mary Raffa.

The Top Responders to fire calls were: Sherri Mackey, Robin Lynk, Todd Raffa, Rick Raffa, Chris Raffa, Deanna Mackey, Rick Brooks, Jack Lunsford, Brandon Palmateer, Vinny Scacciaferro, Caitlin Shoureck, Jeremy Nash, Meghan Shoureck and Mary Raffa.

Rick Brooks, who has been a member of the department since 1991, said the dinner has been held every year since 1926, the year the company was established.

Raffa, who joined the department in 1994, said the evening, “is just a gathering to show our thanks and appreciation and to have other surrounding companies come and join with us, mingle and have a good time.”

Brooks said the dinner is a way, “to focus on our community obligations and we go forward from here and try to do the best we can.”

Jeremy Nash was named the Clintondale Firefighter of the Year.

“I was very surprised. I’ve been 22 years doing this and this was the first time and I wasn’t expecting this at all,” he said. “I love helping everybody and that’s what I do it for; I don’t do it for awards, I don’t do it for anything else. I enjoy it.”

At a special moment in the evening the Clintondale Fire Department honored firefighters in their own company and in the Highland Fire Department, with each receiving Life Saving Awards. On September 16, 2018 Clintondale was dispatched to a serious motor vehicle accident on Route 44/55. Upon arrival it was determined that two adult females were entrapped and two Medivacs were launched. Highland came to the scene with their heavy rescue truck, set up a landing zone and provided the necessary personnel.

The Department inducted their officers for 2019: Chief Ricky Brooks, 1st Asst. Chief Chris Raffa, 2nd Asst. Chief Rick Raffa, 3rd Asst. Chief Brandon Palmateer, CPT. Caitlin Shoureck, CPT. Jack Lunsford, 1st LT. Vinny Scaccisferro, 2nd LT. Todd Raffa, Safety Officer Jeremy Nash, President Sherri Mackey, VP Meghan Shoureck, Secretary Deanna Mackey and Treasurer Patti Brooks. The group was sworn in by Plattekill Town Clerk Barbara Dawes.

Ricky Brooks spotlighted Michaela Raffa, who will be enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in June.

“Congratulations and thank you,” Brooks said, adding that he hopes she never forgets the bond she has with her Clintondale Fire Department Family.

Brooks brought the evening to a fitting close by leading everyone in a special toast.

“To another successful year, no injuries to our Fire Department members, which is huge, a successful service to our community; whatever the reason they dialed 911 for may we be able to step in and help them for their emergency. Good health, lets move forward. Thank you.”