Department members, family and friends of the Highland Hose Company recently attended an annual dinner at the Grandview in Poughkeepsie.

The evening opened with an Invocation by Firefighter Fred DeMaio.

“As we gather here tonight, putting aside our differences in celebrating our commonality of purpose in the fire service, we pray for your blessing and help us spread by example and intentional behavior of people from different political, religious and cultural backgrounds to effectively function for the good of the organization,” he said. “And finally Lord we thank you for watching over us as we provide a valuable service to our community.”

Chief Jeffrey DiMetro is a third generation firefighter to serve the department.

“I will look forward to the opportunities and challenges this new role will present for me. I am thankful for the men and women of this department who are going to help me learn, grow and become what they need in a leader,” he said.

NYS Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson presented three members with Certificates of Merit for their dedicated service to the department: Steve DiLorenzo for 55 years, Chuck Gentilquore for 50 years and Alan Barone for 45 years. In addition, Ulster County Legislators Herb Litts and Gina Hansut presented the three honorees with Pride of Ulster County awards in recognition of the service.

Fred Dunham was honored as the department’s Top Responder with 301 calls and Nicholas Violaris was named Firefighter of the Year.

Commissioner Steve DiLorenzo spoke about Peter Miller who served as Chief for 25 years and is now 1st Asst Chief. The Board of Fire Commissioners presented him with a plaque to mark his long service to the department.

Miller began his speech by saying that he may actually have served as Chief for 26 years and been in the department for 52 years. He tipped his hat to former Chief Joe Valentino saying, “There was no Chief in Ulster County that was more respected in that era than him.”

Miller said he ‘absolutely, positively’ has to thank his wife Veronica, “for tolerating all the annoyances that accompany being Chief of the Department; phone calls and more phone calls, meetings and fire calls, the huge piles of papers and files related to the fire service that she is still wondering why I bring them home.”

Miller also thanked the members of the Highland Hose Company #1.

“I appreciate and respect the support and everything the company has provided in all the times that I’ve been Chief and all that has gone on; for the things that we’ve tried to do and accomplished and the things we have moved forward. That took a tremendous amount of responsibility, a tremendous amount of commitment and we brought many, many things to fruition.”

Miller noted that some people operate in the ‘shadows’ but are very important to the operations of the department, “and are constantly and always at a moments notice ready to serve; we must thank and fully appreciate as much as possible the Highland Hose Company’s Ladies Auxiliary.”

Miller thanked all of the Commissioners of the Highland Fire District and through any differences, “we have moved forward and built what we have today and I appreciate their cooperation and understanding. It was always interesting and challenging but rewarding many, many times.” He singled out Commissioner Chairman Steve DiLorenzo, “for the work he does for the district that is unseen and unheard and us working together on many things.”

Miller thanked the community at large as well as the Police and EMS agencies that he has worked with over the years.

“I approach the fire service pretty much as I do everything else, at a rate of at least 110%,” he said. “I never looked at using the Highland Fire Company as a stepping stone as my concern was always about the professionalism and growth of the company’s operations and organization.”

Miller said when he became Chief he pushed for his members to have the proper firefighting gear and updated the apparatus so they could properly and effectively do the job. Miller said he has had many great officers and firefighters who have worked to develop all facets of the department and have used the department as a springboard to other emergency services, such as the Lloyd Police Department, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department and the Ulster County Emergency Management Agency.

“There is just much more to do. It is not a failure, it is just eyes wide open. It is difficult to maintain being current in the fire service today as it changes more rapidly than we think. It takes dedication and commitment at a very serious level,” he said. “I have always hoped to strive for a level of improvement of the department, always. I thank all of you, the community, the firefighters and everybody for their support over the years that I’ve been involved as Chief of the Highland Fire Department.”