PORT JERVIS, NY – Port Jervis Fire Department’s Tri-States Hose Co. No. 6 celebrated 135 years of service to its community with a special “Old Timers” dinner held this past August. Established in 1890, Hose 6 is the youngest company in the department, but has always operated from the same 1892 firehouse – the oldest in the department. That history, and the continuous service of its skilled, dedicated firefighters over generation was recognized and saluted at this dinner celebration.

Captain William Conklin and 1st Lt. Ed Pavlich presented personalized certificates and company shirts to current members, and recognized dignitaries and fellow firefighters from a New Jersey Fire Company.

N.J.’s Haverstraw Fire Department’s Relief Hose Co. No. 3, in turn,  presented a plaque referencing “the Great Delaware River Flood” during which their company spent multiple days of response in Port Jervis, and the lasting friendship that was formed with Hose 6. Conklin praised that friendship, rooted in the 1955 flooding crisis in which Port Jervis received much-needed mutual aid from this Haverstraw company.

With volunteer departments like Port’s and Haverstraw’s thinning across the nation these historic departments share a mission of regular, continuous response to emergency calls and mutual protection of life and property throughout each year.  

PJFD Deputy Chief James Rohner, a 57-year member of PJFD’s Neversink Engine Co. #1 and Past PJFD Chief, acted as Master of Ceremonies for this event. Rohner noted that Hose 6, like other companies, continues to “do more with less” in their vital protective mission.

“The way the city is spread out, having a firehouse in West End and Tri-States has been integral,” Rohner said, noting past floods, bridge closures, and Tri-States being separated by the Neversink River have made Hose #6 invaluable.

Rohner recounted past calls as well as local interactions and involvement. He also recalled a humorous past parade day when members wore their hats backwards and marched backwards, as a sort of protest to an unliked policy. He drew applause with reflections of the company’s military and veteran service, praising the strong military service record of company’s volunteer firefighters. 

“Many members of Hose 6 served in World War I and at other times,” Rohner said. “This company has always supported America’s troops and veterans.”

A musical slideshow included photos of military service members, some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty during wartime military service.

PJFD Assistant Chief Jeffrey Lewis was among others who also thanked the company and its members for their service, and for always being there to help out.

Port Jervis Mayor Dominic Cicalese, himself an active firefighter and past PJFD chief, presented a proclamation naming the day in the company’s honor and thanking the members for the for safety and happiness their efforts provide to the city.

“Since the early days of the company’s existence with their simple hand drawn horse cart until present day with its sophisticated modern pumper, the personnel of Tri-States Hose Company #6, supported by their families, have given continuous dedicated and courageous protection to our city,” Cicalese said. “I thank you for your courage, commitment, dedication, and professionalism as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and move forward.”