A tribute to volunteer firefighters
New Firemen’s Home opens in Hudson

by Marilynn Horwood
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, October 4, 2007
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, October 6, 2007

An exterior view of the newly opened Firemen’s Home, located in Hudson.

They can be awakened at any hour of the night and be out of the house just minutes later. They spend long hours in classroom and rigorous hands-on training. They can be pulled away from family meals and sometimes even family holiday celebrations, all because there is someone in need.

Who are they? They are the men and women who participate in volunteer fire service in their community. Comprising 70 percent of the nation’s fire fighting forces, these “professionals” must meet the same stringent standards of performance and knowledge as their paid counterparts. However, they don’t receive a paycheck or health insurance package for their efforts. Rather they volunteer for love of their country and their communities, and they typically receive their “payment” in a life saved, a family or beloved pet rescued from a burning building, or just a smile and silent “thank you” from grateful relatives.

But they are not forgotten for their efforts.

Since 1892, the volunteer firefighters of New York state have had a “home away from home” in Hudson, NY -- a place where they could go for nursing home care geared to their every comfort and need, should it arise. Totally operated and funded by the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (F.A.S.N.Y.) and managed by a 15-member board of trustees made up of retired volunteer firefighters from across New York state, the Firemen’s Home has continually excelled in meeting the needs of its members. Assisting in this effort are the Ladies Auxiliary of F.A.S.N.Y. (L.A.F.A.S.N.Y.) and the many county and regional associations of firefighters as well as individual volunteer fire departments throughout the state.

Now, following two years of construction, current members have access to a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility -- providing care for a wide variety of medical and rehabilitative conditions, including Alzheimer’s/dementia care -- to call their “home.” Best described as “magnificent,” this 92-bed 126,000 square-foot facility, set on the existing 122-acre campus was formally dedicated on Sunday, Sept. 16.

Preceding the formal dedication ceremony, a huge parade with more than 140 units and in excess of 2,000 participants, wound through the Hudson city streets and ended on the grounds of the Firemen’s Home. Units from as distant as Maine, Virginia and New Jersey marched to honor New York’s volunteer fire service, and Western New York was well represented in with units from Niagara County, the Western New York Volunteer Firemen’s Association, and Southwestern Association of Volunteer Firemen in the parade line-up.

With more than 1,000 people attending, the dedication ceremony included the decommissioning of the former home by F.A.S.N.Y. Chaplain Wayne Jagow, who serves as Niagara County Clerk, an address by Bill Wutz, former member of Hutchinson Hose in Williamsville and past president of the Home’s Board of Trustees -- Bill is now a resident of the Firemen’s Home -- and the ribbon cutting by F.A.S.N.Y. President Mike Wutz, Board of Trustees President Jim Wright, and L.A.F.A.S.N.Y. President Kathryn Welton.

F.A.S.N.Y. President Mike Wutz, Firemen’s Home Board of Trustees
President Jim Wright, and L.A.F.A.S.N.Y. President Kathryn Welton
cut the ribbon to officially open the new home.

Tours of the home were offered throughout the weekend, and visitors saw first hand the beautiful building featuring large, private resident rooms and a high-tech physical therapy rehab gym -- even a unique indoor therapy swimming pool. The main dining room offers a beautiful gas fireplace to enhance the dining experience. The new building also includes a magnificent domed chapel, well-appointed library, private dining room, commissary and barber shop/beauty parlor, as well as a large multi-purpose auditorium for resident activities and special events.

“Our members are our total focus at the Firemen’s Home,” declared Wright. “They are the reason we exist, and we do everything within our power to make their experience here fulfilling and rewarding. Our skilled and dedicated staff know every resident by name and have a very special bond with each and every one of them.”

The Firemen’s Home is currently at capacity with a waiting list of 48. It is the only nursing home in New York state devoted to caring for volunteer firefighters. New York State firefighters (and their spouses), as well as members of ladies auxiliaries, may be eligible for admission to the Firemen’s Home with a minimum one year of service in their lifetime. For more information about the home call 1-800-479-7695 or visit www.firemenshome.com.