By Jack Halchak, Past Chief of the Hurleyville Fire Department
The Hurleyville Fire Department is always looking for help, to fight fire or support those who do. We even supply all of the gear and provide all of the training needed, for free. Stop by any Monday night and find out how you can help.
This past December the Hurleyville Fire Department held their annual elections. The officers for 2017 are as follows:
Chief – Alan Price; First Assistant Chief – Charlie Payne; Second Assistant Chief – Fred Froelhich; Captain – Tony Harvey;
First Lieutenant – Lori Feldman; Captain of the Fire Police – Eddie Alya; President- John O’Neil; Vice President – Miranda Behan; Secretary – Erica Payne; Treasurer – John Jaycox; Trustee for 3 years – Michael Spinelli.
For the year 2016 the Fire Department responded to 105 calls. These calls were at all hours of the day, during birthday celebrations, holidays, storms, etc. So when you see a fireman, thank them.
Last issue I talked about a few different common causes of structure fires that I have been to in the past.
Since our last issue there have been a number of chimney fires, a few furnace malfunctions, and wood ashes in a bucket starting a porch on fire in the county. Be careful out there trying to stay warm.
Coming up: The Hurleyville Fire Department, in cooperation with the Town of Fallsburg Youth Commission, will be holding the 29th Annual Ice Fishing Contest on Saturday, February 11th, 2017. The contest will take place on Morningside Lake off Brickman Road in Hurleyville from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Registration will take place the day of the contest at the lake, registration is $5.00 for adults and free for those 15 and under.
This is our 29th annual contest and we are holding our annual Super Raffle that day. First place is an 8” Jiffy Ice Auger, second and third place are 32” flat screen TVs, followed by a Metal Welcome Park Bench, Woven Cloth Hammock, Set of five Polar Tip-ups. See a Hurleyville Fireman for a ticket.
Refreshments and bait will be available. We will also drill holes for you if needed.
There will be an adult and youth division, with trophies for first, second and third in the following categories; PERCH, PAN FISH, BULLHEAD, WALLEYE AND PICKEREL. All fish must be legally caught and of legal size.
There is also a special Firemen’s Contest. The RICH FARQUHAR MEMORIAL CHIEF’S CUP, goes to the top firemen’s fishing team. A team can be one, ten or as many who show up. All team members MUST belong to the same fire department. As in the past the cup is passed from year to year to the winning team. There is also a first, second and third place team trophy in the fireman’s contest. The last winner, the Tappan Fire Department will be out in full force to defend the cup they won. I’m sure past champions Smallwood-Mongaup Valley, Neversink, Monticello and the Loch Sheldrake Fire Departments will be there in force to try and fish it away from them.
This contest has produced some real big fish in past years. To see some of the results go to www.hurleyvilleny.com and scroll sown to the bottom. As in the past, a good time will be had by all.
For more information please contact J.W. Halchak (845) 436-5418; George Price (845) 434-3475; or Fred Turner (845) 434-7706.