Millbrook fire department celebrates 110 years of service

MILLBROOK — Millbrook Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 celebrated its 110th year at a gala dinner on Saturday, April 28. The dinner is an annual affair — one of Millbrook’s most popular events — as the 200 guests would attest to.

Aside from the camaraderie, the food was excellent and the awards given out deeply deserved. Not only did the fire department celebrate turning 110, but the Auxiliary celebrated its 40th anniversary as well.

Among the attendees were County Legislator Deirdre Houston; Millbrook Mayor Rodney Brown; Village Board Trustees Mike Herzog, Kyle Van De Water, Brian Hicks and Joe Rochfort; town Supervisor Gary Ciferri; and town Councilmen Stephen Turletes and Mike Murphy.

But the honorees were the stars of the evening. 

Bob Myers celebrated 40 years of service. Meyers has served as chairman of the board for the fire department and has served on various committees during that time.  He became a life member in 2002 after serving for 25 consecutive years.

The Augustine Rottuno Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement was presented to Leroy Swart. The award is given each year in memory of Augie Rotunno, who gave 60 years of dedicated service to the Millbrook fire department before he passed away in 1999. Swart joined the department at the age of 25 and has been serving for 46 years.

Chief Ted Bownas, with 25 years of service and life membership, joined the department and rescue squad in March of 1993. He’s been lieutenant and captain of the rescue squad; he’s been chief and captain of the fire department. Bownas left the rescue squad after serving for 12 years; he is now in his ninth year of service as chief.

Richard “Dick” Burr, who was not present, was honored for 50 years of service.

The Auxiliary had its share of honorees, too. Lynn Swart was honored for 40 years of active service and Olympia Ciferri, who was the first president of the Auxiliary in 1977, was honored for 40 years of service.

Rescue squad members were thanked for their service and the swearing in of all officers appeared to move those who were in attendance.

Eric Denkinger has served for 10 years with the department.

Fire department President Matt Rochford and Chief Bownas both spoke of the history of the Millbrook fire department. Its volunteers not only respond to fires, they help during emergencies such as storms, floods and sometimes catastrophic illnesses. Firefighters  rescue cats from trees. 

Bownas recently rescued a dog from a storm drain. They respond to and help after automobile accidents. 

As in many other communities, Millbrook is in need of new volunteers — especially young people. The department welcomes anyone willing and able to serve. 

In 2017, the department responded to 871 fire calls and other emergencies.