| As many of our members know, The Mohegan Volunteer Fire Association was founded in 1922 to protect the lives and property of the community surrounding Mohegan Lake. Stretching well into what is now Garrison, Continental Village, Peekskill, Croton, Yorktown, Putnam Valley and Mahopac the founding fathers of our great organization served for one purpose, to protect our neighbors.
Times have changed since 1922, fire departments and boundaries have reduced our need to respond so far to calls, new fire engines and ladder trucks have been purchased, and fire stations were added in our own district to further reduce response time. One thing hasn't changed though and that is the loyalty and duty a firefighter feels while protecting our community from harm.
Following our September company meeting, the senior members of The MVFA are recognized for their devotion with a celebration in their honor called "Old Timers Night". It is the one night when all of Mohegan's Volunteer Firefighters come out from our newest member to our oldest member, to tell stories of days gone by and what we are doing now in 2008. I listened in on stories about the first fire engine purchase, old car accidents, house fires, and protective clothing that wouldn't protect very much.
The fire service has come a long way since 1922, and so has The MVFA. With improvements in training, protective gear, bailout systems, hydraulic tools, radios, and much more (come to the open house on October 5 and we'll show you) we owe a great deal of thanks to the early settlers of our company who risked their lives to ensure we were safer than the generation before us.
So thanks to all the "Old Timers" for all that you have done for us, and thank you for letting us show you a good time. |
