Grand Gorge FD Holds Banquet

Grand Gorge Fire Department officers pose with Assemblyman Chris Tague who stopped in to thank them for their service during their annual installation banquet at the Grand Gorge Fire Hall. Pictured from left are: Fire Captain Corey Van Alstyne; Chief Hank Gockel Jr.; Second Assistant Chief Brady Pickett; EMS Captain Olivia Gockel; Jim Hull, president; Assemblyman Chris Tague; First Assistant Chief D.J. Speenburgh; Roberta VanValkenburgh, vice president; Heather Gockel, secretary and EMS Chief Larry VanValkenburgh.

GRAND GORGE –  Members of the Grand Gorge Fire Department gathered last Saturday for their annual installation dinner, catered by Shane Strong at the firehouse.

Officers for the coming year include: Jim Hull, president; Roberta VanValkenburgh, vice president; Heather Gockel, secretary; Bill Schryver, treasurer; Hank Gockel Jr, chief; D. J. Speenburgh, first assistant chief; Brady Pickett, second assistant chief; Dave Label and Corey Van Alstyne, captains. He also introduced Larry VanValkenburgh, EMS chief; Olivia Gockel, EMS captain; Lynn Roman, fire police captain; Tom Murray, safety captain; Pastor Dot, chaplain and Corey Van Alstyne, Bill Davis and Brad VanValkenburgh, executive committee members.

Jim Hull served as the evening's emcee and introduced the officers, fire commissioners and honored guests. Guests included Waylon Robinson, chief of the Conesville Department and his wife Jen, Stamford Second Assistant Chief Joe Hornbeck and his wife, Deb, Stamford; Mark Rossley, Delaware County 911 Coordinator. Commissioners for the Grand Gore Department include Bill Schryver, chairman; Bill Davis, Rich Davis, Mike Ciaravino, Tom Murray and Heather Gockel, secretary/treasurer.

The department responded to 110 total calls in 2025-2026, with Tom Murray the top fire responder and Larry VanValkenburgh the top EMS responder.

Several members were thanked for attaining state training over the year.

Special year anniversary pins were presented to Jim McLean, 5 years and Brad VanValkenburgh, 10 years. Also recognized were Morgan VanValkenburgh and Olivia Gockel for completing their EMT certifications.

Bill Schryver reported on the department's upcoming projects, which include purchase of new equipment, a grant for a new truck and repairs to the station. "There are a lot of good things happening,” he said.

Larry VanValkenburgh and Olivia Gockel thanked all of the department members for EMS response as well as the mutual aid departments. They also thanked the county 911 dispatchers.

Assemblyman Chris Tague also stopped in at the end of his very busy day to thank department members and enjoy some good conversation.

Larry VanValkenburgh  presented bouquets of flowers to Olivia Gockel, left, and Morgan Van Alstyne, for successfully completing their EMT certification. At left is the evening’s emcee, Jim Hull.