Port Jervis Fire Department's Annual Inspection Day Parade will step off from lower Sussex Street (near the intersection of Sussex and Ball Streets in Port Jervis) Saturday afternoon, July 10, 2021 at 2 p.m. (lineup at 1 p.m.)

The parade, which has been hosted in all but one year since shortly after the department’s formation in the mid-1800’s, features an escort division and seven divisions to follow. It will feature all of the components of the traditional parade, including uniformed firefighters to be saluted by their communities, apparatus, bands, local police and ambulance personnel, and so much that is sure to delight parade-goers of all ages.

This year’s parade, which resumed after skipping last year’s due to pandemic restriction, also features a special component and salute om the lead escort unit. Front line health care workers from Bon Secours Community Hospital, Veterans Administration Hudson Valley, and Cornerstone Family Health Care (all of Port Jervis) have been invited to be part of the parade for their efforts during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

The escort division will also include Grand Marshal Rob Worden, Sr. (40-year member of this year’s lead company, Maghogomock Hook and Ladder Company #1), color guard units, city officials, a band, fire department officers, chiefs, past chiefs, and chief vehicles, a trophy vehicle, and a father-son team of local businessmen helping to pay personal tribute to the community’s health care workers.

Local business owners and community supporters Dick and Darryl McKeeby are taking part in the healthcare division to give a personal salute to the lifesaving efforts of each healthcare workers, including those who helped save Dick’s life in an extended and very challenging battle with Covid-19 this year.
Their letter to Bon Secours Community Hospital, from themselves and their family, says it best as to why such brave and dedicated efforts are being honored in the community.

“There are a few times in my life that I remember being at a loss for words. Certainly, this is one of those times. The words “Thank You” cannot possibly convey my deep appreciation for everything you did for me during my recent battle with COVID. Certainly, without your care and compassion I would not be here today. I have always been a strong supporter of Bon Secours Community Hospital because I know that the people there are the backbone of my community. I never really imagined that I would experience their extraordinary care from such a personal and up-close perspective. While I don’t recall many of the days I spent as a patient, I know that the care they gave me is why I am on the road to a full recovery.” Dick McKeeby, Barbara, and Darryl

Maghogomock Hook and Ladder Company #1, the lead company in this year’s parade, leads the first division with Captain Jeff Lewis as Marshal.

Neversink Engine Company #1 leads the second division, with David Moore, Jr. as Marshal.

Matamoras Fire Department leads the third division, with Chief Thomas Long as Marshal.

Delaware Engine Company #2 leads the fourth division, with Captain Ed Pavlich, Jr. as Marshal.

Howard Wheat Engine Company #4 leads the fifth division, with Captain William Conklin, Jr. as Marshal.

Excelsior Engine Company #5 leads the sixth division, with Captain Justin Brewster as Marshal.

Tri-State Hose Company #6 leads the seventh division, with Captain Jeff Martin as Marshal.

The parade will be preceded by many Parade Week activities, including getting firehouses and apparatus in tiptop shape for inspection, a visit to Past Chief graves (meeting at Hammond Street station at 6 p.m. on July 8, Memorial Prayer Service (PJFD Memorial on lower Pike Street at 6 p.m. on July 9), and tour of each fire station immediately after the memorial service. Company photos are scheduled for Parade Day, 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Lineup is as follows:

2021 Annual Inspection Day Parade

Escort Division
Color Guard
Port Jervis Police Department
Port Jervis Mayor & Common Council Members
Grand Marsha - Rob Worden, Sr., 40 Year Member, Maghogomock H & L Company #1
Dixie Dandies Marching Band
Port Jervis Fire Department – Officers
Port Jervis Fire Department, Past Chiefs
Port Jervis Fire Department, Chief’s Vehicles
Port Jervis Fire Police
Orange County Fire Investigation Van
Trophy Vehicle
Orange County Sheriff’s Color Guard
Front line health care workers:
Bon Secours Community Hospital
Cornerstone Family Health Care
Veterans Administration, Hudson Valley
FIRST DIVISION
Line up West side of Sussex, facing Hammond
Marshal: Captain Jeff Lewis (845-239-0657)
Otisville Correctional Facility Mounted Color Guard
Orange County Pipes & Drums
Maghogomock H & L Co. #1
Walden Fire Department
Saints of Swing Band
Ellenville Fire Department
Mechanicstown Engine & Chemical Co.
Johnson Fire Department
Choconut Center Fire Department
Otisville Fire Department
Woodridge Fire Department
Catskill Fire Cats (antique apparatus)
SECOND DIVISION
Line up East side of Sussex Street, facing Hammond Street
Marshal: David Moore, Jr. (845-381-7889)
Professional Musicians of Orange County
Boy Scout Troop #173 Color Guard
Neversink Engine Company #1
Franklin Band
Franklin Fire Department
Wallkill Engine Company #6
Mountain View Fire & Rescue, Greenville, NY
Woodbury Fire Department
Pocatello-Mount Hope Fire Department
Band
Hillcrest Fire Company #1
Band
Sussex Fire Department
Yulan Fire Department
Branchville Fire Department
Forestburgh Fire Department
White Lake Fire Department
Third Division
Line up left side of Hammond Street facing Sussex Street
Marshal: Chief Thomas Long (201-341-0005)
Color Guard
Bourbon Street Strutters Band
Matamoras Fire Department
Westfall Fire Department
Milford Fire Department
Delaware Township Fire Department
Hemlock Farms Fire Department
Blooming Grove Fire Department
Greeley Fire Department
Delaware Township Ambulance Corps.
Wantage, NJ Fire Department
Wantage, NJ First Aid Squad
Lumberland Fire Department
Shohola Fire Department
Fourth Division
Line up left side of Hammond, facing Sussex
Marshal: Captain Ed Pavlich, Jr. (845-772-4068)
Warwick FD Color Guard
Delaware Engine Company #1
Suffern Fire Department
Washington Heights Fire Department
Stillwater Fire Department
FIFTH DIVISION
Line up on Frank Street, facing Sussex Street
Marshal: William Conklin, Jr. (570-618-9328)
Howard Wheat Engine Company #4
Branchville Fire Department
Middletown Fire Police
Pompton Lakes Fire Department
Wallington Fire Department
Jim Melia (Privately owned apparatus)
Sixth Division
Line up left side of Fowler, facing Franklin Street
Marshal: Captain Justin Brewster (845-754-5553)
Excelsior Engine Company #5
Huguenot Fire Company
Sparrowbush Engine Company
Frankford Fire Department
Middletown Engine 5
Pearl River Fire Department
Cuddebackville Fire Department
Liberty Fire Department
Flanders Fire Department
SEVENTH DIVISION
Line up left side of Fowler Street, facing Franklin Street
Marshal: Captain Jeff Martin (845-321-5988)
Orange County Chapter #140 Viet Nam Veterans Color Guard
Tri-State Hose Company #6
Color Guard
Hamburg Fire Department
Color Guard
Relief Hose Company #3, Haverstraw, NY
Bloomingdale Fire Department
Butler Fire Department