Last Friday evening the Highland Hose Company held their annual dinner to honor and thank their men and women who serve the Town of Lloyd. The Company was established in 1894 after a fire three years earlier destroyed eight buildings in the village and claimed the life of a seven year old boy.   

 

The program for the dinner noted that the all-volunteer department has 45 active members and operates three engines, a pumper/tanker, a 95 ft. Tower ladder, a heavy Rescue vehicle, and a 6 wheel UTV. Last year department vehicles responded 1,783 times to a wide variety of incidents, ranging from cellar pumps and animal rescues to serious automobile and train accidents to brush and house fires. 

 

Chief Peter Miller took a moment to thank his wife and children for the time they sacrifice when he has to go to a fire, attend a meeting or work on departmental business. 

 

“Also I’d like to thank the firefighters because they do give up a lot and their families for giving up time to the ones they care about to come and serve the community,” he said.

 

Miller also thanked the fire officers for their service, pointing out that, “there are many hours where they are doing things on the side that nobody sees and many times we have conversations where we are trying to improve things for the district.” He noted that the fire officers, collectively, responded to 1,277 calls last year.  

 

Miller described the Ladies Auxiliary as “an essential part of our organization and our history since they have been in effect for 51 years.” He said the Auxiliary has changed since the 1970s when they just provided food and coffee at the scene of a fire.

 

“I think that it’s important because of what they do for the Hose Company, that they be recognized: Leslie Benson, Amy Dunham, Sharon Morris, Candace Benson, Karen Martin, Theresa Gentilquore, Lesa Noble-Lee, Kathy Bragg.”

 

Miller also thanked the Lloyd Town Board, with John Fraino, their liaison, for their full support as well as New Paltz Rescue for their emergency support at fire scenes.  

 

The Fire Department honored Peter Miller and Anthony DiMetro, who was represented by his son Jeffrey, for each having served the community for 50 years. Numerous accolades were accorded the two men for their dedication and commitment to the department and the community. 

 

Fred DeMaio described Chief Miller, who began his fire service in Highland on May 15, 1973, as devoted, loyal faithful and steadfast.

 

“Over the years he has served in numerous positions in the department always aiming high at trying to be the best [and] he encourages and expects participation and dedication from every member,” DeMaio said. 

 

DeMaio noted that in his 50 years of service Miller has responded to more than 15,000 calls, “and has spent countless hours training himself and planning and executing training for the entire department, attended countless meetings and functions not for personal gain but for the good of our fire district and our hose company. Pete Miller is a great example of the definition of altruism – acting to promote someone else’s welfare even at a risk or cost to themselves... His hair may be a different color now than is was in 1973 but his commitment and dedication are stronger than ever and we’re honored today to present a 50 year pin to Chief Peter Miller.” 

 

Miller thanked all for coming to the dinner and took a moment to point out that Jeffrey DiMetro was representing his father, who was unable to attend, but that he also is serving as the 1st Asst Chief for the department. Miller said one day he hopes to pass the leadership torch to Jeffrey.