The History of the Hagaman Vol. Fire Dept.

The Hagaman Vol. Fire Company was founded on July 7, 1925. Sixty-nine village residents met at the Post Office to found the fire company. The Hagaman Volunteer Fire Department was incorporated in 1926 with the objective to extinguish fires and preserve property within the Village of Hagaman. The original wooden firehouse was on William St. where meetings were held on the first and third Tuesday of the month, providing a quorum of seven men were present. Livingston Hess was our first Chief from 1925-1936.

In 1938, the original wooden firehouse which was leased to the HVFD by Lewis Harrower, was purchased. The siren or method of raising the firemen was the pounding of an old railroad flange with a mallet, that was hung in the middle of the village. Norman Banta was Chief (2) from 1937 -1946.

In 1941 an air siren was installed to alarm the firefighters. By 1952, seven area homes had telephones which were tied into the emergency phone number and the first person to answer the call, pressed the button that activated the alarm siren. Cornelius Ballard became Chief (3) in 1947 until 1950.

The HVFD remained in that building until a new one was purchased in 1950. It was two buildings, one a concrete block garage (Texaco Gas Station), and the other a wooden frame barn. The reconstruction to this building started in October of 1961 and was completed in June 1962. Construction of the new addition and the remodeling allowed for the housing of five vehicles. John Brizzee was Chief (4) in 1951 followed by Paul Stark (5) from 1952-1955. Albert Shatus (6) gained control in 1956 until 1959.

As of 1958 the area protected by the HVFD, "The Hagaman Fire Protection District and the Village of Hagaman, New York." As of 1970, revised by-laws stated: "The object of this organization shall be as follows:

               (a) To acquire and own fire apparatus of any kind and nature for the organization in the protection from injury, loss, damage, or destruction by fire.

               (b) To provide fire protection to the Town of Amsterdam Fire District #2 and the Village of Hagaman.

               (c) To foster interest in all matters pertaining to the volunteer service and welfare of the Volunteer Firemen.

The firehouse remained the same until 1981. A metal addition in the back was started in 1981 and took only 90 days to build. With this new addition, we could then house six vehicles, one being a ladder truck. Without the addition, there wasn't enough room at the time for such a vehicle. The entire grounds were dedicated to Livingston Hess, co-founder and first Fire Chief of the HVFD. Livingston Hess' daughter-in-law accepted the dedication in 1984. Livingston Hess died in 1967.

History from 1960-2000

Hugh Rowe became the seventh chief in 1960 and served for one year followed by Floyd Weaver (8). Floyd served as chief for the next seven years. Only two other chief's served more than seven years and that was out first chief, Livingston Hess (11 years) and Norman Banta (8 years). Floyd still holds the record for the past 40 years. Floyd was Chief when the first addition was added to the firehouse in 1961 and dedicated June 23, 1962.

Ted wassel (9) took charge for the year 1968 followed by Lavern "Bud" Trommer (10) in 1969. Bud introduced the department to a new way of thinking. Fire training became more intensified. He also had a prestige of seeing two new engines placed in the new addition in 1969 and 1972. The two new American LaFrance engines were the state of the art in firefighting capabilities. Bud commanded through 1973.

William "Bill" Pabis became Chief (11) in 1974, that's when the word "training" took on a whole new meaning. This Chief was relentless at drills on Monday nights and for the next three years he turned out some of the best firefighters in the county. In 1977, John "Jack" Reese (12) carried on Bill Pabis' tradition and with a flare for words he educated the firefighters and kept strong control for the next four years. Jack was instrumental in updating the departments equipment, including new breathing apparatus, purchasing large diameter hose and Nomex fire gear for the firefighters. Jack also made sure that the OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) rules and laws were followed for the safety of everyone.

Art Kinowski became the "13th" Chief in 1981 and served for the next 2 years. He was instrumental in the construction of the second addition to the firehouse which made way for the next Chief Al Nadler (14) in 1983. Al placed the departments first new tanker in 30 years n the addition. Al served well and became one of the departments training officers, a position he held for many years.

Garrison "Gary" Cramer, son of our longest raining member Jerry Cramer (68 years), became Chief (15) in 1984 and led the department for 2 years.

Ron Kaszuba (16) took control in 1986. He was a man of many words and a comic in his own right. Ron held the respect of the members and kept training at a high standard. Ron was most remembered as Chief when the Village of Hagaman had its first large scale hazardous materials spill.

In 1989 Adam Sandy (17) took over and worked with his officers and committee to bring in the first of new Pierce engines replacing the 1972 American LaFrance engine no. 5. Adam gave control back to Ron Kaszuba (18) in 1990 who served for an additional two years. During Ron's second year the 1991 Pierce engine was finally delivered. Engine 3 is still in service today.

1992 ushered in a new beginning for the department. Nicholas "Nick" Bartosik became Chief (19) and commanded well. His term of three years yielded some of the most active times for the department, including three major calls mutual aid calls to the City of Amsterdam. They included both Mohasco fires and the Speedline fire. We also responded to the Windmill Restaurant fire in Fort Johnson, the Capital Vile fire in Fultonville and the C&R Restaurant in Saratoga County. If that wasn't enough, Nick had to contend with the "Blizzard of 93". Nick saw the replacement of our 1984 tanker and the delivery of our new Pierce engine No 5.

In 1995 Ronald "Ron" Morey (20) took charge and was instrumental in the purchase of the Dept's first ladder truck. Control of the department was returned to Adam Sandy (21) in 1996 and for the next four years we grew in the numbers for calls, drills, work details and above all "Fire Prevention" demonstrations. Adam is well known for being a Chief who firmly believed in Fire Prevention. He was known as "Mr. Fire" to all the children in Tecler School. He was relentless when it came to teaching children in our community about fire safety. Our Fire Safety House was placed in the dept under his command. Adam was  Chief who had a handle on our finances and knew exactly how to crunch the numbers when it came down to budget time. Adam was well respected as Chief and proved his abilities at every call. Adam oversaw 2 new vehicles placed into service. Our Rescue 4 and our Utility 2, formerly Rescue 8.

In 2000, Stanley "Poz" Posluszny (22) took over the reigns of chief and served for three years. During this time, major plans for a new firehouse were in the works. A committee was formed and construction began towards the end of his term. In 2003, Harold "Harry" Bell became chief (23)  and put into the works the selling of our Ladder 9 and purchase of a new tower truck. Construction of the new building was completed in 2004 where we currently reside. The old firehouse was demolished and the current firehouse was built in its place.

In 2005 Don "DK" Krutz became Chief (23) and led the dept for two years. During his term, we took delivery of our 2006 Smeal 85' Tower that was started years prior. DK is most remembered for commanding the largest fire in the Hagaman Fire Dept's history in 2006. The BCD Tire Chip Mfg. Company fire lasted 3 days and called for mutual aid from over 35 fire Dept's from 5 different counties.

 In 2007 Adam Sandy, "Mr. Fire", was elected to Chief (24) for a 3 term. Currently he is the only person to hold 3 different terms as Chief of the Department. Recently, we took delivery of our new Rescue 8. A 2008 Chevy Suburban outfitted with EMS equipment which responds to all of our growing number of medical emergencies. Adam held his third term as Chief through 2008.

In 2009, Jeff Ball (25) was elected Chief. Jeff has been an officer for a number of years and moved up to the position of Chief in January 2009. Jeff has been instrumental in helping write grants that secure state and federal funds for the department.

Currently, Adam Sandy has been elected Chief for 2010, his 4th term as Chief.