Dear Saranac Lake Volunteer Firefighters:

I am a friend of the late John Vallini, a true hero who will be remembered always for his selfless service to his community. I would like you to know that I just sent a donation to your department in his honor.

Thank you to every single one of you who put your lives on the line, as he did, in order to rescue others. John paid the ultimate price after his time spent at Ground Zero. He is an honor to your department, to Saranac Lake, and to all front line emergency workers everywhere.

With much appreciation,

Lisa Kolton

Great website! Wyoming Hook & Ladder Company Inc. will be celebrating 125 years next year. I was looking at what other departments have done to mark that milestone in history. It is quite interesting how many departments are that old or older. That is a huge amount of special caring for a lot of people, FOR FREE. That spirit lives on and it cannot be overstated. The reverence for history in the fire service is inspiring and we will try to convey that message as we celebrate as you have.
I've been a firefighter for 54 years and an EMT for 30 still active, still interior. I am a bit concerned about finding my "replacement" but I'm doing my best to kindle that "spirit" in others.
Keep up the good work and stay safe. Mike

Thank you so much for your service and all you do for our community!

Nicely done site. Was touched to see my Grandfather's name on the list of past members. Stay safe.

My very first rescue call was 32 yrs ago. I jumped in the back of rescue 341 realizing I was part of the crew with knees a wobbling, eyes as wide as could be. I just knew y'all could hear my heart pounding. We were heading to a fatality on the rainbow lake road. Was I gonna be able to do this? To see this?
Buzzy Sawyer, I'm pretty sure you remember this call too. I peaked from around the back of the semi truck,knowing and cautiously curious about it all. It was winter time. I know this positively because....I took a deep breath and was gonna do this . I wanted to be a firefighter. I wanted to rescue people. A NYSP vehicle was all I saw , until I saw the accident. Then Walking backwards in shock I walked iright into a flare. I kept that one boot for many many years. SLVFD is how I became the outstanding decorated US NAVY Damage Controlman I was. Thank you.
If I could , without a doubt, still be that firefighter. my memories of it all still seem recent.
BE SAFE, BE PROUD, REMAIN COMPASSIONATE
Cindy

Loved the video of this years banquet! What a wonderful tribute. You can not be thank enough for all you do for our community! I know you all share a deep love and respect for each other and it is evident in all you do. Congratulations and thank you all for your service!

Great Website, congrats to the folks that keep it up and maintain it.

Congratulations to all the new and newly re-elected members! What a wonderful group of men and women! Great leadership here and much experience for new members to learn from!!

What a wonderful article about Uncle Frank! Brings back a lot of memories, we also had a "plectron". He has certainly devoted a lot of time to the Department, like many others, and has been a constant at that house. Great Job!

Where do I begin? What a wonderful, thoughtful, compassionate group of individuals! I have always been proud of my town, my family and all of our fire department connections, but NEVER so much as I have been these last few days! Starting with Jim Stinson: WOW, what a wonderful website! The video at the Banquet this year and tribute to my Dad and the Fire Department history and members. You have captured the "family" that you are, the camaraderie that you share and love of community. The members! Do you ever tire of answering calls for all of us that depend on you being there when we are most vulnerable, no matter where you are or what you are doing, you answer! Chief Keough, you never seem to stop! Through funerals of friends and family to community service, and figure head and spokesperson for the Volunteer Fire Department, you are ALWAYS there! You not only embrace the love of community and service but you and your department make us all so PROUD! You lead the way for your Department and they share your compassion. We as a family, can not thank you enough for the wonderful, heartfelt tribute for Ruth King's concert and it is our sincere hope that the proceeds continue to come your way and the department is aware of the difference they make in the lives of so many! Our love to all of you and your families and we thank you from the bottom on our hearts!

I would like to give my condolences to the Dept on the loss of one of your "oldies". Chet was a remarkable man, loved his Dept and was so dedicated along with so many of his brothers who have gone before him. Rick Yorkey I know how much he meant to you and you have so many memories of him that will bring a smile to your face.

Rest in Peace, Chester :) Thanks for the memories!

Back in the day the Fire house had a black drape and condolence wreath when a member passed.......

I came across this site quite by accident. I was looking for the Woodruff Hose Comany #1. I am currently working my genealogy and am the 1st cousin 4x removed of Cassius M Ladieu. He died in 1893 and there was an article published concerning him and the Hose Company. The Resolution is as follows; Offered by the Woodruff
Hose Company, No. 1.
Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God
In his infinite wisdom and power, to call
from our midst our beloved comrade and
officer, Cassius M, Ladieu, be it therefore
Resolved, That the members of the
Woodruff Hose Company, No. 1, do
deeply and sincerely mourn the loss of
our faithful friend and brother, and that
we extend to his deeply afflicted wife and
family our heart felt sympathy in this,their
bereavement, and be It
Besotowed, That in the death of First
Assistant Ladieu, this company has lost a
worthy and honored member whose memory
will be cherished in our hearts not
only as a friend and comrade, but as a
brave and valiant fireman, and be it fur-
" er
Resolved, That the bell, hose-room and
equipments be draped in mourning for 30
days, and that these resolutions be placed
upon the minutes, a copy be sent to the
family of the deceased, and that they be
published in the Adirondack Pioneer,
Essex County Republican and Elizabeth.

Respectfully,

Janice Dundas Beaver

Awesome website! This is one of the most thorough websites I've seen. Complements to whomever keeps it up to date. Great job.

Stay Safe!

Will be in Saranac Lake week of High School Graduation, I will be stopping by to see all of you

Hello Firefighters,
visited me at my home page: www. hanstell.de
There you can more learn the fire service Twixlum..
Thanks for coming..

Hello to the Saranac Lake Fire Department,

Yesterday while watching TV I came across an episode on Animal Plan regarding Dalmatians. As the owner of a Liver Spot Dalmatian (those are Dalmatians with brown spots versus the traditional black spots), I always like to learn more of the breed. I was particularly touched by your story of your newest member, Smokey and the long standing tradition your town has had with Dalmatians and the role they play with firefighters. It was truly moving for me to see the devotion your members have had with this loving animal. Dalmatians have always been a part of my life and I could not have been more pleased to have you share your relationships with this fantastic animal for others to see.

With that in mind allow me to introduce myself. My name is Raymond Walz. I live in Staten Island, New York, which is one of the five boroughs making up New York City. For many years I have always enjoyed and continue to enjoy coming to the Lake Placid region for all the beauty it has to offer for both it's summer and winter seasons. It is truly a jewel of the Adirondack area.

One of the other reasons I felt compelled to write you was the connection I felt watching this episode. It is amazing how stories intertwine each other. My brother, Lt Jeffrey P. Walz was one of firefighters killed during the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. That fateful day forever altered the life my family knew. Jeff was truly a firefighter's firefighter that enjoyed the camaraderie of the firehouse and it's "brothers" as well as the important life saving role firefighters play in our lives. He came from a long list of firefighter in my family. He loved his house, one of the oldest in the city, Ladder 9 Engine 33 located on Great Jones Street in the Bowery section of NYC. On the morning of the attack he phoned both his wife and my parents to tell them he was on his way to something "big" as it put it at the World Trade Center and that he would fill us in later that day. He told them the bells were signaling something of significant size was occurring there. Sadly when his firehouse returned that evening to their quarters he was one of the eight missing. Due to the damage their rig suffered the returning members walked back to their house. We all hoped and prayed that he found shelter in a portion of the North Tower concourse that housed so many retail shops and stores or in one of the multiple parking garages. His commandeering officers ordered them to leave the buildings as quickly as possible. As hours past and the day turned into night we knew any hopes of such a rescue where slim. We now shifted our hopes for a recovery so that we could bring him home with peace and respect to the community he loved and adored. An example of the camaraderie I mentioned above was at his memorial service. Over 3000 people attended that somber day in October under beautiful fall like weather. New York City and so many other communities in our region were so over whelmed with memorial services and events over the upcoming weeks. Family, friends, neighbors were all in attendance in a church designed to hold only 200 hundred people. So many were standing in streets closed to traffic so that they could be close enough to hear the priest speak through outdoor speakers. Fire trucks were mixed in with personal cars all dressed with American flags and black ribbons. The part I remember the most at his service were the firefighters standing in an honor guard formation saluting as we slowly made our way back to our cars. Firefighters from all over the nation and as far away as Australia came to honor is memory, each dressed in their cites blue dress. Many could not hold back their emotions. Under sunny skies we all felt so sad that we were brought to this time in our lives that forever changed the peace our country took for granted. Such a moving tribute from so many that I wish I could have thanked each and everyone of them in uniform. As our family cars left the church we were showered in flags and soft touches placed on each car by these wonderful firefighters. As we continued one volunteer firehouse from New Jersey forced us to exit our cars. Part of this squad included a Dalmatian. I think from that point on I was hooked on the love of that breed. What a magnificent creature he was as he stood proudly looking at us. People froze when they saw this impressive tower ladder dressed in black ribbons with this dog sitting in the rear. My brother's son was only three when he perished. He really had no idea as to why so many people cried for his dad. We walked him to that fire truck from New Jersey so he could see their mascot. The smile of a three year old holding his dad's Lt hat dealing with a lose of unimaginable size was forever imbedded in everyone's mind. This dog's wagging tail showing him with kisses could not help us from producing a smile while watching my nephew giggle. That dog walked my side by side with my nephew until he was securely back in my car. Only did that dog move when he knew my nephew was safely secured in his car seat. We visited that house often since then to thank them for bringing "Spotlight" and the impression that dog left on so many including a little boy. What a touching and light moment in an over whelming painful and sad day.

With the help and support of many friends, wonderful neighbors and the firefighters of the New York City Fire Department we managed to make it through those first dark weeks. Although the only recovery we have of my brother was his helmet we always feel that he is with us when we are driving in our cars, walking in the park, at a ball game or whenever we need that reinsurance that his presence is near.


I would very much like to visit your firehouse this winter when I drive up for ski season. I would love to bring Loki, my Dalmatian with me to visit. I attached some pictures of him above for you to see. I hope you enjoy them. If there are any "treats" your house can think of that you might like from New York City please let me know. It would be an honor to bring something. New York City has some great places that make awesome food and deserts. :). My sincere thanks to your fellow firefighters. Living in a big city we take our fire protection sometimes for granted. We forget the vital role volunteers play in doing the same job. They are also our true heroes.

Thank you for a wonderful story and a great website.

Sincerely,

Raymond Walz
131 Ogorman Avenue
Staten Island New York 10306

Hello,

Brothers and sister FF in the great white north. I write this guest book entry after finding your site through a Google search.

My Mothers side of the family (The Goetz's) were born and raised in Saranac Lake. My Aunt and Uncle, Sue and Ed Goetz still live there. My fondest memories growing up were the summers I spent in Saranac enjoying, Lake Flower, Mountain Mist ice cream and hearing the fire whistle. Back then each street had a very specific code. That code would allow the volunteers to respond to the dispatch address simply by deciphering the horn blast patters. This long before the pagers we all use now. I remember my Grandfather (Ed Goetz Sr) had the code sheet next to the phone. I remember how the volunteer would race through town with their blue lights that were often times attached to their visors.

Anyway. I am 48 yo now and live with my wife and 2 kids in Raleigh NC. I got back into volunteering for our local department. Two of them actually. I got my FF 1 & 2, My Driver Operator, Haz Mat, and NC EMT, NFA Leadership 1,2&3 as well as incident safety officer. Now even my son is involved as a Junior FF. I would say my childhood visits to Saranac and your volunteers have had a direct impact on my life long infatuation with the fire service.

I hope to be able to visit the most beautiful place in my mind again sometime soon, and talk shop with many of you.

Stay Safe, Stay Trained, Stay Alive!!!!

Your friend in the south
Mike Greenham

Goodbye 149! It seems like yesterday when you were frozen in the middle of Berkeley Square! I guess we were all frozen that day! For the people who weren't there 149 worked hard that January day and the days to follow, just like all of the other apparatus and firefighters still frozen to the ground. In fact I believe we ended up cranking it down it was so cold and frozen..Thanks for the memories and also thanks to all of the members and paid drivers for always taking care of my family!

I just saw the awesome segment on Smokey 6 and the SL Fire Department. So cool to see. Awesome job Smokey, Rick, and John!

Alisa Scapatici

Congrats to Brendon Keough, John Duchaine, John Derby and Aaron Donaldson for receiving the Life Saving Award. Good job guys!

I've taken some pretty good pictures of Car11/Derby at the Malone structural collapse. let me know if you want to see them and add them to your website.

Webmaster Note: Sure Tom if you have some photo's, we would love to show our members in action.... Thanks, Jim

Looking to visit the area in July. Great Web site you have. Be safe,,,, always

I just saw everything about the flooding from your site. I am sorry to hear about that. I hope everyone is doing ok and that your homes are alright.

You are all in my thoughts.

It was an honor to lend a hand. Our guys (Thomas McLane, James Jones, Larry LaPage, Andy Fish, Norman Bonner IV and Craig Robinson) said they were treated like gold and will help anytime! Best of luck!

Awesome site, keep up the good work, help keep the tri-lakes region safe.

Kentsy,

Congrats on your upcoming retirement and thank you for 40 years of service to the Saranac Lake Fire and Rescue District. 40 years with the SLVFD and SLFD as a Paid Driver with 25 years as the Head Driver is something to be proud of. I was fortunate to have served with you as a Paid Driver and SLVFD member and consider you a friend to this day. Take some time to relax but stay connected to your roots at the SLVFD. I will stop in to see you on my next trip home to SL and take care Chummy!

The people of the Saranac Lake Fire Department are the greatest. Thanks for being there if I ever need help.

Very nice site. Keep up the great work and stay safe!

Cool website. Like the history photos. Nice story about your dalmations on Animal Planet. Keep up the good work and be safe!!

Hello,

Great Website... I am particulary happy that you listed the Ex-Chiefs and the Years they served. My Grandfather is John J. Mooney and served as Chief in 1939.

I have only been to Saranac Lake once.. Hope to comeback one day.