A Night to Remember!

Don Workman and many of the people who helped save his life

Taghkanic Fire Company hosted their 82^nd Annual Banquet on April 18^th. Nearly 100 members from the Company and the community joined together to celebrate the Fire Company and all they do to keep our community safe.

Chief William Hilscher gave a moving recap of the events of the night of March 1^st, when Taghkanic resident Don Workman went into cardiac arrest. Thanks to the combined efforts of over 20 members of the EMS service – including Columbia County 911 Dispatchers Dawn Buckinger and Zach Usyk who took the initial call, to the First Responders who were on the scene  within minutes and began life saving measures, to the Sheriff’s Department, the Firefighters, and the EMS Squad who responded in the bitter cold and dealt with a stuck ambulance and then secured a helicopter landing zone at Lake Taghkanic Park – Don was resuscitated and has made a full recovery. Don and his wife Kathy, along with 14 members of the team that saved his life, were present at the banquet.

As Community Rescue Squad Administrator and Paramedic Peter Doty explained, when he arrived on scene, Don had already been stabilized because of the combined efforts of Taghkanic Firefighters Andrew Soltano, Donald Coons Jr., Abbie Hodgson, Foster Morss and Tom Herishko, all of whom were honored with Life Saving Awards during the evening.

Foster Morss was honored with Firefighter of the Year award. Length of Service Recognition awards were given to Firefighter Tony LaSalvia (50 years) and Arthur “Griff” Griffin (65 years).

A special thank you to the members of Ancram Fire Company and Livingston Fire District who covered calls for Taghkanic during the banquet. Ancram members also served the delicious Italian meal catered by Carlo Macri of JoJo’s Pizza. Sue Soltano organized the event and made the Firehouse look beautiful. Thanks to the many silent auction donors – Jason Ordway, Bob Vancampen, Claverack Agway, Catamount Aerial, Changing Times B&B, Copake Country Club, Coyote Flaco, Dove’s Diner, Alltown, Hannafords, Herringtons, JoJo’s Pizza, Long Energy, Sweet Pea Diner, Tractor Supply, White Cliff, Claverack Package and Fairview Wines.