By Kaniethonkie

Photo by Joe Francis

On Saturday, August 2, 2014 the Hogansburg-Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department celebrated their 60th Anniversary by thanking the community for their continued support. The former IGA grounds were filled with families from Akwesasne and surrounding communities to celebrate how they have grown from a group of six men and a converted old farm cattle truck to one of the finest volunteer department in two countries. In response to an unimaginable tragic house fire of the Cree Family on March 13, 1954, eighteen men started the "Hogansburg Citizen's Committee for Fire Protection". Known as the "Charter Members"; Ray Aldrich, Jr., Peter Bero, Stanley Conners, Paul Heffelfinger, Walter Herne, Louis Jacobs, Paul Jock, John Kish, Hubert Lantry, Eli Lazore, Syl Morin, Harry Pyke, Edgar Reyome, James "Buzz" Rouselle, Clarence Thompson, Carl Weggar, Abe White and Harry White, collected approximately $2000.00 (in today's market that is equivalent to $17,500.00) to purchase basic firefighting equipment.

1960 - An old garage and the loft above became Hogansburg's first Fire Hall and office. The building was donated by charter member Hubert Lantry. It wasn't until 1960 that the HAVFD built the cinderblock fire station that held fire-fighting equipment that was ready to be used for mutual aid. In this same year, the Department of Indian Affairs built the Kaweno:ke (Cornwall Island) Fire Hall for the Cornwall Island Fire Brigade.

1974 - In 1974 they joined the ranks of the Hogansburg-Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department, equipped with only an old 1964 Chevy engine pumper as their fire apparatus.

1976 - Two years later a number of residents of Tsi:Snaihne (Snye) pulled together to form a firefighting organization. Using a vacant school house they turned this into a fire hall with one bay and rooms for training and meetings.

1978 - The Snye Firefighters joined the HAVFD as Station #3. Here, the Snye Firefighters used a modified 1952 American Lafrance combination pumper truck that was donated by the Canadian Armed Forces from Kingston, Ontario.

1985 - After purchasing land from Elijah Benedict on Kaweno:ke (of which Mr. Benedict donated back to the Fire Department), the Island HAVFD built a new, centrally located fire hall that is in use today. The Kaweno:ke Firehall has two large bays, a meeting room and the very essential firehall kitchen.

1998 – The Tsi:Snaihne Firehall is dedicated to the original Snye firefighter, James E. Lazore, whose sons; Kevin M., Mat, and Kyle, and grandsons; Phillip, Andrew and Kevin W, are active members along with retired members, son Robert and son-in-law Clint Jacobs.

1999 – Sheila Adams becomes the first female firefighter after the HAVFD approves her application. Adams is an active member of the fire department along with two other female firefighters; Alyssa Lazore and Sandra Boots.

The HAVFD have over seventy members including non-active members with fifty two active members.

Original equipment from the start of the HAVFD.

Saturday's HAVFD Anniversary had activities for every family member; they had a water slide, a fun house, a dunking machine, live entertainment by local bands and what every local person dreams of all winter – the HAVFD famous BBQ chicken with all the trimmings. The first 400 guests to arrive were treated to the chicken dinner and those who arrived later were served hot dogs and hamburgers. Guests entered and were greeted by volunteers who provided an abundance of free information on fire prevention and safety. Next, your walk took you to three long rows of tables presenting historical artifacts and information of the HAVFD including the creation of the HAVFD, the training of the firemen/women, fire calls served, various apparatus used, and recognition throughout the years, fire prevention, community support and fundraisers. Much of this impressive collection of historical artifacts and information belongs to retired fireman Frank Lacerenza who has been a member since 1984 and served the longest tenure as fire chief from 1982 to 2005. At the end of the historical walk through you were treated to their famous bbq chicken dinner.

This grand event took months of planning starting in March of 2013 with Issac McDonald taking the initiative to form an organizing committee that included; Jory Tarbell, Sheila Adams, Alyssa Lazore, Jacob Martin, and Sandra Boots. Later on the Adams, Lazore and Laffin families were asked to contribute their expertise. This isn't surprising since over 40% of active HAVFD families are second and third generation firefighters. The Lazore, Adams, McDonald and Phillips families all have generations of active and retired firemen and women. McDonald grew up alongside firefighters and with his father, Jerome "Moochie" McDonald who has over 34 years as an active member in the HAVFD, to young McDonald it was second nature that he was going to serve his community as a fireman. For a young man of eighteen, which is the youngest a person can formally be trained and become a fireman. It takes a commitment most eighteen year olds fail to grasp, yet the HAVFD is stacked with young committed, trained firemen. This is balanced by the dedicated and committed firemen who have served Akwesasne over the years.

A fireman or firewoman has to be willing to wake up at 3:00am to answer a call, take time after work to attend meetings, use their free weekends to attend training, and to work at fundraisers. They need to keep all apparatus and equipment in order and in perfect working condition. Each prospective firefighter is required to attend and pass Firefighters 1 Training which includes carrying 60 (sixty) pounds of personal protective gear that is made to order for each firefighter's exact physical shape and includes a helmet, jacket, pants and boots and equipment. They must be able to wear a self contained breathing apparatus or respirator, use all hand tools such as axes, pike poles, ladders, power tools (chain saws, extrication tools, and to stretch and operate a water hose line that pushes up to 125 pounds of pressure.

Firefighters are categorized in four areas and depending on their physical ability could be in one of four categories; Firefighter "A", "B", "C", and "D". "A" includes all of the requirements, but not limited to all of the listed requirements in the previous paragraph, to Firefighter "D" who serve as administrative members only. All firefighters are required to pass a physical examination according to their category. Firefighters meet every Monday with the first Monday of the month being dedicated to ensuring every truck and vehicle operates in perfect order. Many firefighters take the NYS Emergency Vehicle Operators Course or the Pump Operators Course and firefighters are subject to random unannounced drills of all types. In a community surrounded by water the HAVFD use three marine units for water rescue and part of their training includes "Ice Rescue Training". For all firefighters the single main concern is "SAFETY", safety for the all firefighters, the public and the victims.

To say it takes commitment and dedication to be a fireman or firewoman is an understatement. You can drive by their fire halls and know it's Monday when they have their bay doors open and the fire trucks outside. You know they belong to a brotherhood that includes women, a brotherhood that serves Akwesasne and surrounding communities and further if needed. In 2001, the HAVFD sent Jerome McDonald on behalf of Franklin County to assist at the 9/11 tragedy in NYC. In 2011, when Hurricane Irene hit parts of NYS, HAVFD sent an airboat to rescue victims of the storm. In 2012 Hurricane Sandy devastated most the northern eastern seaboard and the HAVFD sent Ryan McDonald, Arnold Printup and Jacob Martin to assist victims. Their work isn't bound by borders or boundaries; they assist depending on the size and geographical location of the fire or need. In a community often divided by the borders and boundaries of two countries, two provinces, and one state the HAVFD have accomplished what many political leaders and community members aspire to: making Akwesasne a community of one people.