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It’s a Family Affair at the CSFD
Three long-serving members get award
by Maria Theodore Leiter
 | | Fire-fighters of the Year (l-r) Joe Etta, John Falloon, and Ralph Landolfiare joined by current CSFD Chief Dan Valentine (in the back) at the awards ceremony on December 8 |
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On Friday, December 8, 2006, after weeks of Holiday functions, charity events, escorting Santa to his appointed rounds, hosting the community for Breakfast and responding to emergencies small and large, some members of the Cold Spring Fire Department are kicking back at the firehouse for a more informal celebration.
“We went down to Arthur Avenue and got some good Italian bread and now we are having a feast,” said Firefighter Ralph Landolfi, 68, enjoying the atmosphere of camaraderie that surrounds him.
Landolfiand his fellow firefighters Joe Etta, 69, and John Falloon, 68, received the firefighter of the year award at the fire company’s annual dinner on December 8. Between them, these three men represent more than 130 years of service to the community.
“The award is presented to a member who does an exceptional job, going to training sessions, responding to calls, attending functions,” said Fire Chief Danny Valentine. This year, they decided to honor three members. “These three also do a lot of work around the firehouse and serve as board members. They’ve gone above and beyond.”
Etta has served as a volunteer firefighter for forty-seven years. He was an active member while he worked as a cabinetmaker. Landolfiworked for IBM when he first joined the force. He later served on the Village Highway Department, all while maintaining active status for more than forty years. He too, is now retired and chooses to spend his time serving at the firehouse. Falloon spent he career as a teamster and forty years as a volunteer fireman. He has the distinction of being one of the longest serving Directors on the Board of Governors of the firehouse. All three were born and raised in Cold Spring Village.
“I am doing odds and ends here at the firehouse,” says Etta. “This is like a family affair.”
Landolfisaid he has remained an active member “because we believe in helping the people in the community. They help us and it’s the least we can do. The firehouse is the best insurance you have and it hardly costs you anything. You got a situation and you call and thirty or so people show up at your house.”
But, their families’ contributions don’t end with them. All three also share the distinction of having fathers who also served the fire department, as well as sons! Falloon’s son, Ralph, is a member and former Chief. John Landolfiis also a firefighter and former chief, and Joe’s son Tom Etta is an active member.
“And, their kids were all in the Junior Firefighter Academy this summer,” said Valentine. “So the next generation is on their way!” “Our fathers and our children were firemen,” says Landolfi. “I guess it works that way, with people following in footsteps.” None the less, he said, “we would like to encourage new people to join. We are getting a few, but we would like to see more.”
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