Stamford FD Honors Members During Annual Installation Dinner

The slate of officers for the 2206-2027 year for the Stamford Fire Department are, from left: Josh Weitzner, second fire lieutenant; Doug Cole, first fire lieutenant; Mark Fallon, EMS captain; Dusty King, fire captain; Karen Cole EMS chief; Joe Hornbeck, second assistant fire chief; AJ Vamosy, first assistant fire chief and Don VanEtten, fire chief.

STAMFORD – It was a night to honor those who have served and to install the newest slate of officers, as members of the Stamford Fire Department gathered at the Garden Path Barn in Harpersfield for their 156th annual installation dinner June 6.

Stamford Fire Chief Don VanEtten opened the evening by welcoming the100 people in attendance. "This is the largest group we have had," said VanEtten. "I want to thank the officers and members of the department for their support.

"The department had another extremely busy year, with 162 fire calls and a total of 869 first response calls. We appreciate Headwaters EMS for responding to our EMS calls. We started the new year out with a structure fire on New Year's day, the first call in the county.The remaining calls included multiple other structure fires, rescue calls, motor vehicle accidents, brush fires, weather related incidents, and mutual aid to many other agencies. 

So far this year, we have responded to 59 fire incidents and we are on pace for another busy year. Our members are extremely busy. We don’t just respond to incidents. We have weekly training, state training and online training. There are lots of work details throughout the year, fundraisers, and special assignments. Even our younger members remain engaged and are jumping right in. Most recently we had three of those younger members complete. They have taken the Basic Exterior Firefighter Operations (BEFO) and Interior Firefighter Operations IFO) courses. Gavin VanEtten, Todd Funk and Jake VanCleef are the most recent members to complete the IFO course to become interior firefighters. I am proud to say that one of those three is my son Gavin, a second generation firefighter, whom I am extremely proud of. This time and dedication enhance our entire department and they are the future and will be our replacement one day. 

He said the department has 82 members and it s no secret that numbers have been on a steady decline for most departments for a number of years and is a problem nationwide. Completing a recent National Fire Prevention Association fire survey, he said he was proud to note the group is very diverse with 49 men and 31 women. When he joined the department 25 years ago, he said there were very few women. Members ages include 13 members under age 20; 14 members 20-29; four member 30-39; 15 members 40-49, 17 members 50-59 and 16 members over the age of 60. "It shows how welcoming and diverse our department is. There is always a job to do for anyone that is interested in being a part of our organization. I hope other agencies will consider bringing on anyone showing interest in being a part of something so important to their community."

He thanked all of the mutual aid departments, county fire coordinators and dispatchers.

Second Assistant Chief Joe Hornbeck emceed the event and introduced the special guests, including: Jefferson Fire Chief Dan Minalga, Josh Coquette, and assistant chief with the Bovina Fire Department who responds to calls with Stamford, Seth Finch and Vinny Rosa of Headwaters EMS, NY Assemblyman Chris Tague. Mark Rossley, 911 coordinator for Delaware County, and Stephen Williamson from law enforcement. Williamson is also an honorary member of the department and will serve as the grand marshal of Sunday's Flag Day Parade. "We are very pro law enforcement," said VanEtten, "And we have always had a very good working relationship with law enforcement." Also on hand was Howlett Hill Fire Chief John Harris, and his wife Leona. Harris is one of the partners in Har-Rob Fire Apparatus of Syracuse. The company has a 30-year relationship with the SFD and every truck in the house has come from Har-Rob, said Van Etten. The department provided bunking for Liam Seeley, a member of the SFD, and one of two firefighters that were the first to serve and learn from this department working towards his goal of becoming a career firefighter. 

Tim Powell, chair of the fire commissioners was present along with Peter Pioppo and Bill Sharick, all members of the department. Past chiefs were also introduced and the new slate of officers were sworn in, including: Don VanEtten, chief; Albert J "AJ" Vamosy, first assistant chief; Joe Hornbeck, third assistant chief; Dusty King, fire captain; Doug Cole, first fire lieutenant; Josh Weitzner, second fire lieutenant; Karen Cole, EMS chief and Mark Fallon, EMS captain. They were sworn in by County Court Judge, the Honorable John Hubbard.

Assemblyman Chris Tague provided special certificates to special anniversary year members, as follows: 5 years - Alex Roberts, Micah Curbelo, Paul Vamosy, Adam Gallagher and Paige VanEtten; 10 years - Pete Pioppo; 15 years - Patricia Powell-Wagner; 30 years - Karen Cole and Bill Sharick; 50 years to Cliff Mueller and Allie Vamosy. 

“Cliff Mueller is a staple within our Department. He joined the fire department in October 1976. He is someone who lives and breathes the fire service. He is at the station daily, he’s at almost every incident, training, work detail, and department function. He comes off gruff, but when you get to know who that real guy is, he is one of the best you can ever know. He was on the Department’s Firematics team for years, HAZMAT, Special Rescue, Interior Operations, Former Chief, and one of the best firefighters you could ever ask for. We have fought many fires together over the years, countless MVA’s, and many difficult emergency calls. When we get those tough/difficult calls that tend to be much harder than others, it’s super reassuring when you look to see who is there, and this firefighter is there assisting to keep things calm, focused, and help with those tough decisions that need to be made. He is someone that has my utmost respect, and probably most if not all of you in this room tonight.” 

Allie Vamosy was unable to attend the dinner, but he has been like a father to VanEtten and one of three generations of firefighters serving in the Stamford department. He is the reason VanEtten joined the fire service. Vamosy joined the fire department in April 1973. “He was part of the Departments Firematics team, HAZMAT, Rescue, Interior Operations, Delaware County Deputy Fire Coordinator, Past President of the County Firefighters Association, Fire Investigator, and probably one the absolute best pump operators this county and region have ever seen. There is a long-standing joke in our department, that this guy could draft enough water out of a mud puddle to extinguish a fire. There isn’t a firefighter in any part of this region that doesn’t know this guy. Unfortunately, he isn’t back from his winter retreat yet. However, he has joined us by Facetime this evening. It is undoubtedly my absolute honor to recognize my hero in this business.”

Vamosy was also given a special issue rifle and on the other end of the zoom call to announce his award, b his wife said he was speechless.

Amber VanEtten and Gavin VanEtten, mother and son, received a Special Recognition Award for rendering aid to a woman found lying unconscious on the side of the road. They stopped to find her unconscious with injuries. They called 911 and began helping her until an ambulance arrived. Once the ambulance arrived, along with another nurse who also stopped to assist, they helped load the patient into an ambulance. “They happened to be in the right place at the right time to assist this patient in need,” said Chief VanEtten.

The 2026 Junior Firefighter of the Year was presented to Gavin VanEtten. “This young firefighter has grown up in the fire service. He has loved being at the firehouse, riding on the trucks, and responding to calls since the day he was born. I have photos of most of the senior members of the department holding him when he was just days and months old at the station. His mother would give me hell for responding to incidents with him, and me having to reassure her that he was safe and in good hands with our EMS while she was at the hospital working. He has shown major growth as he has put in his time. He has taken BEFO ), and most recently has completed IFO . Although he just turned 18 in December, and is now a full member of the Department, the Awards Committee felt that this recognition was appropriate for the time he put in while he was a junior member. I also thought it was important to mention that he even skipped his final prom opportunity this evening, to attend this year’s Installation Dinner.” 

Other special awards, included the 2026 Aleska Mason Award. This year's award was presented to Amanda Gardepe. Given in memory of Past EMS Chief and EMS Coordinator Aleska Mason. VanEtten said, "Aleska Mason was one of the best paramedics our department has ever seen. She was loving, caring, compassionate, and provided the best patient care you could ever ask for. Amanda shares the same compassion Aleska gave to her patients."

The 2026 Al Vamosy Jr Award was presented to Doug Cole. "This award is presented to someone sharing the same love for the fire service as Allie. Someone that is always there, someone involved with trying to educate and better everyone around them." 

The 2026 Charlie Kopfman Award was presented to Joe Hornbeck. "This award is given to someone who is behind the scenes just like Charlie was. Doing all of the little tasks many take for granted. Charlie was known by many of us who knew him best as 'the house mouse '. Joe displays the same care that Charlie shared to get all of the daily station maintenance and tasks complete."

The final award of the evening was presented to Steve Williamson, an honorary member of the department. The Stamford Fire Department in collaboration with The Mountain Eagle Newspaper made the presentation of The 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award to Roxbury Constable Stephen Williamson, while Chris Tague presented him with a special citation on behalf of himself and New York State Senator Peter Oberacker.

Karen Cole receives her 30-year member plaque during the SFD Installation Dinner. She is flanked by the department’s other chief officers and Assembly Chris Tague who presented a certificate of appreciation. Doug Cole holds the Al Vamosy Jr. Award and is flanked by SFD chief officers. Joe Hornbeck holds the Charlie Kopfman Award and is flanked by SFD chief officers.

Gavin and Amber VanEtten received plaques of recognition for stopping to assist an injured woman in the town of Davenport, who was lying by the side of state Rt. 23 last winter. Gavin VanEtten receives the Jr. Firefighter of the Year Award from his dad, Chief Don VanEtten, as assistant chiefs look on. Amanda Gardepe receives the Aleska Mason Award from EMS Chief Karen Cole for her response to a serious EMS call last year. 

Delaware County Judge Honorable John Hubbard swears in the new slate of officers for the Stamford Fire Department during last Saturday’s annual installation dinner.