Meet the Past Presidents and Cheifs of Ghent!



In the fall of 1923, a disastrous fire destroyed three large businesses in the central part of the hamlet of Ghent. Immediately thereafter, it was determined it was time for Ghent to have a fire company. On November 18th, 1924 the nineteen charter members of the Ghent Fire Protectors, as they were called, voted to build a firehouse. The list of gentleman included names still familiar in Ghent today: John Berninger, Roscoe Blashfield, Ray Dedrick, Edward Green, John George, Perry Knoblock, Clarence Leggett, A.H. Melius, A.R. Melius, M.S. Melius, Charles Miller, William Neville, Floyd Pultz, Chester Schermerhorn, Clifford Teator, Milford Teator, Jarvis Whiteman, Fred Wilber and Walter Winn. This generation of firefighters would inspire sons and grandsons to join the fire company years and decades later, including members of Ghent’s current active roster.

The sawing of logs for the building began on January 25, 1925, and on February 4th, framing work was started. By the summer of 1925, the Ghent Firehouse was completed with the help of local citizens, with everyone from shop owners to farmers, donating labor and materials. The original 24 foot-by-36 foot firehouse was located near the current Town Hall. In all, the Ghent Fire Protectors had raised a $2,000 for construction and found themselves with a surplus of $200 when the building was finished. Key to the financing was charter member Mr. Edwin D. Green who had moved from Ghent to New York City and who contributed $1,000 to the effort, which the fire company matched through a community-wide fundraising effort.

On November 18th, 1924, the company purchased its first official piece of fire equipment, a two-tank Hand Chemical Cart from Valatie for a grand sum of $25. This was mounted on an old Dodge farm truck, donated by local businessman and charter member John Berninger. Four years later, in 1928, the Ghent Fire Protectors received the official order approving its certificate of incorporation and changed the name to the Ghent Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 Inc. Within that same year the company purchased the storied 1928 American LaFrance pumper, at a cost of $5,600. This truck was fully restored in the late 1990s and is still in service today for parades. In 1933, a Ford Chassis was purchased to replace the Dodge Chemical Truck and remained in service until 1946, when it was replaced by a 1944 Army Surplus Dodge with a front end mounted 500GPM Barton pump, acquired from the Army Depot in Voorheesville, NY. Then at the midpoint of the century, the Company purchased its first modernized piece of equipment--a $12,000 GMC with an Oren 1,000 gallon tank, and a 500 GPM pump. This replaced the 1928 American LaFrance.

By 1957, with the ever increasing size of the apparatus and a growing need for considerable repair to the existing facility, a decision was made to build a new firehouse at its current location. About half of the work on the 44’ by 88’ structure was completed by the volunteers. Bonds were purchased by members, families and friends of the fire company to fund much of the construction. These bonds were paid in full within three years. The first meeting held in this new building was on the night of November 11th, 1957.

One of the more cherished stories of the fire company also happened in 1957, when the retired 1928 American LaFrance, which had been sold to the Stephentown Fire Company in 1950 was discovered by member Harry Dunham in use for irrigation on a farm in Stephentown. The fire company worked out a deal with the farmer: Ghent could have the truck back if it replaced it in kind. A number of members donated $10 each to purchase a “retired” hook and ladder truck from Chatham, and the LaFrance was brought back home.

On June 3, 1958, the Ladies Auxiliary was organized with 42 Charter Members. As with the original founders of the fire company the officers roster included many still-familiar names: Ruth Dunham, President; Bernice Wilber, Vice President; Gertrude Wilber, Secretary; Marion Craft, Treasurer; Regina Mesick, Chaplain; and Rebecca Benvenuto, Lorreta Losa, and Frances Wagar, Trustees.

In 1965 the Fire Company once again upgraded its equipment: a GMC fire engine mounted with a front end pump capable of pumping 750 GPM. The pumper, which carried 500 gallons of water, was purchased for $12,500, and replaced the 1946 Army Surplus Dodge. In 1972, a new GMC Model 7500 pumper/tanker was acquired from the Young Fire Equipment Corporation located in Lancaster, NY. It replaced the 1950 GMC, which was sold to the West Taghkanic Fire Company. Purchased for $34,000, the GMC 7500 was one of the first trucks in the county to have an Allison automatic transmission, and it also boasted a 1,000 gallon tank and a 750 GPM pump. With the continued growth of the town and the continued changes in technology came the need to purchase more specialized equipment. In 1977, the company acquired two new trucks--a 1977 one ton step van, as well as a 1968 White 3,000 gallon tanker. At a cost of $7,500, the van served as the companies supply truck housing boots, helmets, air packs, a portable pump, extra hose, lighting, first aid equipment and other necessary supplies. The tanker, affectionately known to many as “The Beast,” became a key piece of apparatus as the company was now able to effectively supply water to incidents throughout the town as well as to mutual aid companies. The addition of the new apparatus required the company to once again address space concerns.

On April 1, 1978, construction of a 35’ x 40’ two-bay expansion was started. With about 80% of the work coming from the volunteers, and approximately half the expense coming from donations, the total cost of the addition was $7,500. In 1982, a GMC pumper/tanker powered by a V8 Diesel engine was purchased for $61,000 from the FMC Company. This replaced the 1965 front end pumper GMC, which was sold for $5,000.

In the late 1980s, the Fire Company once again was focused on upgrading existing apparatus and moved to replace 1968 tanker with a new “Beast” a 3,500 gallon 1989 International. This truck is still in service today. In the early 1990s, the company replaced the 1972 GMC pumper with a 1982 Sutphen pumper purchased from the Middle Hope Fire Department in Orange County. This was the company’s first purchase of a “custom-cab” apparatus, and featured a 2000 gpm pump, and open cab seating in the rear. In addition to the 1989 International Tanker, other in service apparatus currently include a 1997 GMC pick-up/brush truck equipped with a 200 gpm pump and light weight hose for wildland fire suppression and a 1998 HME/Central States pumper with a 1000 gallon tank and 1500 gpm pump which serves as the company’s water supply engine and reserve attack apparatus. The company’s first line vehicle is a 2006 Rosenbauer/Spartan, which features a 750 gallon tank and a 1500 GPM pump. This truck responds to all fire and rescue related calls and includes a compressed air foam or “CAF” system for enhanced fire suppression, and a combination cutter and spreader for extrication. Both of these systems were firsts for the Fire Company and increased the scope and efficiency of services provided to the residents. This apparatus also has the capacity to seat 8 firefighters.

Since 1923, the Company has grown to become equipped for a variety of fire and rescue services. Today the newer equipment includes: a thermal imaging camera to locate heat and fire inside walls and ceilings; a hydraulic cutter and spreader, struts, rams, and airbags for lifting and extrication; compressed air foam, large diameter supply lines, lighter attack hose and wildland supplies for fire suppression; as well as a variety of up-to-date personal protective equipment that includes 4500 psi SCBAs with fitted masks, fitted turnout gear and lightweight wildland turnout gear. In 2009 the Company moved on a three-phase process to renovate both the interior and exterior of its existing facilities. The first step was to re-build the old bandstand to house the 1928 American LaFrance pumper and the chemical hose cart on the top floor of the structure in a museum setting to showcase the historical development of the Company. The facility will also continue to host the Memorial Day services on its veranda, while the ground floor will house much of the equipment and supplies originally stored in the firehouse. In early 2010 the Company began phase two of the project, which includes extensive renovations to the firehouse itself. This phase, which at this writing is reaching completion, involves the elimination of the two truck bays constructed in 1978, replaced with new expanded meeting and office space. The kitchen is also being re-built and expanded, and exterior building improvements are largely complete. The planned final phase of the project will see significant expansion of the three existing truck bays to accommodate today’s larger equipment and provide additional space for members to house turnout gear and other equipment. When completed, the renovation of the firehouse and band stand will provide greater physical separation between firematic and administrative activities and provide 21st Century amenities, while keeping the firehouse as a key focus in the hamlet of Ghent.

Presently the Ghent Fire Company No. 1, Inc. contracts with the Town of Ghent and a small portion of the Town of Austerlitz to furnish fire protection and other emergency services. Additional sources of income are derived from the spring and fall clambakes, chicken barbeques and raffles. The Company has often coordinated local fundraising events for members and community residents in need and currently is home to one-half of the Ghent Community Day festivities. For thirty years, starting in 1932, the Ghent Fire Company held an annual carnival fundraiser. A profit of $653.72 was realized from the first event and continued to rise steadily. However in 1962, with rigid bingo laws and other restrictions on gambling at the time, the State Police ruled five of the eight Carnival Booths illegal--and consequently shut the carnival down. A rebellious but determined crowd appeared the last two nights of the planned carnival, not gambling, but having a good time together, solidifying the Ghent spirit making the final event a great success. The “Men About Town Minstrel” shows were run by the Company annually from 1951 to 1958. These shows featured local “talent” who played to appreciative, standing room only crowds.

The Company has been active in County firematics playing host to the Columbia County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association (CCVFA) in 1938, 1962, 1971, 1986 and now in 2010 and is home of six CCVFA presidents: John Berninger (1935); Clarence Leggett (1946); Charles L. Wilber (1962); Beebe Mesick (1971); Kenneth H. Wilber (1986); and, Darin Lanphear (2010). The very first meeting of the Columbia County Chiefs Association was held in Ghent in 1955.

The Ghent Fire Company is proud of its heritage and its commitment to the community. Since 1923 the members of the Ghent Fire Company and auxiliary have responded to emergencies and community needs of all magnitudes. We continue to honor all of our past members and officers and are fortunate to be supported by many dedicated members. To this day, as did our forefathers, the Ghent Fire Company members continues to proud to carry on the dedication and tradition that the original 19 charter members began 87 years ago. Whether it is a second, third or fourth generation name or a new one, members continue to respond with pride and professionalism when called upon.

 

Year
President
Chief

 

1923
 Emerson Southard Daniel Murphy
1924
 Emerson Southard Clifford Teator
1925
 Emerson Southard Clifford Teator
1926
 Emerson Southard John C. Berninger
1927
 Emerson Southard C.H. Teator
1928
 Emerson Southard John C. Berninger
1929
 Emerson Southard John C. Berninger
1930
 C.C. Leggett F.B. Goold
1931
 C.C. Leggett Fred S. Wilber
1932
 A.R. Melius Charles Miller
1933
 F.B. Goold E.J. Arnold
1934
 F.B. Goold Guy Miller
1935
 Fred S. Wilber Guy Miller
1936
 Roscoe W. Blashfield Judson Winn
1937
 John C. Berninger George Snyder
1938
 Guy Miller M.F. Melius
1939
 George Snyder Henry Bartel
1940
 Judson Winn Lee F. Vincent
1941
 Henry Bartel George Wohlfarth
1942
 C.C. Leggett George Wohlfarth
1943
 C.C. Leggett F.B. Goold
1944
 C.C. Leggett Clarence Filpel
1945
 C.C. Leggett Fred S. Wilber
1946
 Lee F. Vincent Grant Wilber
1947
 Ralph Smith Fred Wilber
1948
 Henry Bartel Carl Spickerman
1949
 Ernest McGetrick Lyle Wager
1950
 Henry Bartel Lyle Wager
1951
 Henry Bartel Charles Wilber
1952
 Henry Bartel Charles Wilber
1953
 Henry Bartel Charles Wilber
1954
 Harry VanAlstyne Gus Schlegel
1955
 John Berninger Beebe Mesick
1956
 John Berninger Beebe Mesick
1957
 Harry Dunham Jerry Benvenuto
1958
 Harry Dunham Robert Knabbe
1959
 Harry Dunham Robert Knabbe
1960
 Beebe Mesick Merrill Everett
1961
 Charles L. Wilber John I. Miller
1962
 Donald Wood John I. Miller
1963
 Donald Wood James Moore
1964
 Stanley Engel, Sr. James Moore
1965
 Stanley Engel, Sr. Jacob Herrmann
1966
 Allen Berninger, Sr. Jacob Herrmann
1967
 Allen Berninger, Sr. Felix Gardina
1968
 Leo Gardina Felix Gardina
1969
 Leo Gardina Henry Losee
1970
 Arthur Spath Henry Losee
1971
 Arthur Spath Howard Combs
1972
 Joseph Bonifacio Howard Combs
1973
 Joseph Bonifacio Arthur Fuss
1974
 Felix Gardina Arthur Fuss
1975
 Felix Gardina Franklin Felpel
1976
 K. William Davis Franklin Felpel
1977
 K. William Davis J. Richard Dunbar
1978
 Beebe Mesick J. Richard Dunbar
1979
 Beebe Mesick George Herrmann
1980
 Kenneth Wilber George Herrmann
1981
 Kenneth Wilber Michael Losa
1982
 Anthony Skype Michael Losa
1983
 Anthony Skype Charles Niles
1984
 Henry Losee Charles Niles
1985
 Henry Losee Allen Berninger, Jr.
1986
 Allen Berninger, Sr. Michael Losa
1987
 Allen Berninger, Sr. George Huston, Jr.
1988
 Thomas Everett George Huston, Jr.
1989
 Thomas Everett Dave Busa
1990
 Michael Losa Dave Busa
1991
 Thomas Everett Dave Busa
1992
 Chris Prior James Moore
1993
 Chris Prior Michael Losa
1994
 James Radley Michael Losa
1995
 James Radley Dave Busa
1996
 Les Everett Dave Busa
1997
 James Moore Les Everett
1998
 James Moore Les Everett
1999
 James Moore Michael Losa
2000
 James Moore Jack McCagg
2001
 Charles Wood Jack McCagg
2002
 Charles Wood Dave Busa
2003
 James Reutenauer Dave Busa
2004
 James Reutenauer Wally Engel
2005
 James Reutenauer Wally Engel
2006
 James Reutenauer Wally Engel
2007
 Jonathon Walters Dan Lamarre
2008
 Jonathon Walters Dan Lamarre
2009
 Jonathon Walters Dan Lamarre


















































































































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