GFD Reorganizes and Honors Volunteers

By Bradley Towle

GALLUPVILLE — The Gallupville Fire Department (GFD) held its 83rd Annual Banquet on Saturday, January 25th, at Settles Hill Banquets and Events in Altamont. The banquet is an opportunity to thank and acknowledge the volunteers and their families for all that they do to support the GFD. Chief Michael Boomhower welcomed the crowd and noted that 2024 was a busy year for the department, with 127 calls recorded and three new members, Becky Brisley, Adriane Hectus Towle, and Ethan Van Valen, having joined. There were also notable losses in 2024. Fire and EMS Captain Lisa Boomhower referenced Linda Ellis' poem, Dash, in her remembrance of GFD members Evelyn Gallup, Helen Funck, and Tom Parsons, who passed away in 2024.

Deputy Chief Alex Luniewski brought a dose of humor to the night with his annual good-natured roast of members who had made notable goof-ups during the year (he preceded his awards by noting one of his own). There were plenty of laughs to be had at the banquet, but the overarching theme of gratitude dominated the evening, even moving some to tears.

Chief Boomhower and Civil Officer and Wright Board of Commissioner member Jerry Snyder handed out certificates honoring years of service to active members, ranging from one (the three new volunteers) to Warren Burton's fifty-one years. But the guest of honor was John Schultz. Chief Boomhower celebrated Schultz's fifty years of active service with an effusive speech about Schultz's support and dedication to the Gallupville Fire Department (Schultz is currently Chair of the Wright Board of Fire Commissioners and Civil Officer President). Schultz's family, including his children and grandchildren, looked on proudly as he received a commemorative shirt and was awarded a framed letter of gratitude from Assemblyman Chris Tague.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the Gallupville Fire Department can stop in on a Monday night to chat about ways to participate.