Welcome to the Hudson-Mohawk Volunteer Firefighters Association
This association was organized on October 10, 1927 and incorporated on May 26, 1936.
The Hudson-Mohawk Volunteer Firefighters Association serves the following counties:
Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and Washington Counties.
We encourage new members to join us!
The Origin of the Hudson-Mohawk Volunteer Firefighters Association
In 1924, the Annual Convention of the Hudson Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association was held in the City of Hudson. Mr. Raymond V. Sutherland was elected as a County Vice President to represent Albany County. The County Vice Presidents were tasked with organizing county groups or associations within their respective counties to speak about fire prevention, to create new fire companies and to bring in new members to join the Hudson Valley Firemen's Association.
Outside of the City of Watervliet, there were few volunteer fire companies in Albany County. On 4/25/27, a fire occurred on part of the Old Shaker Colony near what is now the Albany County Airport. Apparatus and manpower from the City of Albany Fire Department, the Latham Fire Department and the Menands Fire Department responded. Fifteen buildings were lost at an approximate value of $100,000.00. This fire was used to bring the need for fire prevention and various fire protection into the public view. As a result of newspaper write ups, interest was generated and meetings were held in various communities.
On 10/10/27, a meeting was held at Albany Fire Hook & Ladder No. 4 located on Delaware Avenue. As a result of this meeting, the Albany County Volunteer Firemen's Association was formed. Raymond V. Sutherland was elected as the first President of the association.
On 10/24/27, the second meeting was held at the Ravena Fire Department. A slate of permanent officers was elected at this meeting.
A third meeting was held at the Menands Fire Department. The Association was comprised of ten companies and thirty individual members. Meeting procedures were laid down and regular meetings, conventions and bylaws were discussed. Monthly meetings were to be held on the third Tuesday of each month.
The 1st Annual Convention of the Albany County Volunteer Firemen's Association was held at Menands in August, 1928.
The 2nd Annual Convention of the Albany County Volunteer Firemen's Association was also held at Menands in August, 1929. There was much discussion regarding Rensselaer and Schenectady Counties joining the Association. These counties were voted in and the Association's name was changed to the Hudson Mohawk Valleys Volunteer Firemen's Association.
The 3rd Annual Convention of the Hudson-Mohawk Valleys Volunteer Firefighters Association was held in Schenectady at Company No.10 quarters in July, 1930. The word "Valleys" was dropped from the Associations title.
The 10th Annual Convention of the Hudson-Mohawk Volunteer Firefighters Association was held at the Delmar Fire Department in July, 1937. Permission was requested by Raymond v. Sutherland on behalf of his daughter Mrs. Delores S. Meyers to form a Ladies Auxiliary to the Hudson-Mohawk Volunteer Firefighters Association (In October, 1937 at the Fuller Road Fire Department, the Ladies Auxiliary was organized and Mrs. Delores S. Meyers was elected as the first president). Our slogan was to have 100 member companies and 1000 individual members. The "Resume" paper was approved for publication. This paper outlined what had transpired at meetings and where the next meeting was to be held. In November, 1948, the "Boosterline" replaced the "Resume" and is still published by the Association today. The paper features articles, upcoming events and news from member companies and associations located throughout the Hudson- Mohawk Volunteer Firefighters Association and Ladies Auxiliary region.
Note: Information for this history was taken from the writings of Raymond. V. Sutherland, our first President , who is recognized as the founder and organizer of our organization.
Calling All Members of the Hudson Mohawk Volunteer Firefighters Association!! We need your County/Fire Department information/events that are going on in your area. Information will also be sent to the FASNY Magazine to get more exposure for your Department. Any fund raiser events/passing of members, or anything else you would like to get out to other members will be put on this website!! Help us help you get the word out there for the events your departments are doing!!
Sunday, August 20th is the annual Hudson Mohawk Volunteer Firefighter's Association Steak Roast at the Firefighter's Home. CANCELLED DUE TO COVID LOCKDOWN!
Thursday, October 19th, HMVFA will hold our quarterly meeting at the South Schenectady Fire Department at 6 Mariaville Road in Schenectady, NY. The meeting will start at 7:30 pm. Refreshments will be served prior to the meeting.
The Past Presidents Dinner will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at the Pegasus Restaurant, 10885 State Route 9W in Coxsackie, NY. The dinner will be buffet style and will start at 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm. The cost is $30 per person with a cash bar. Please contact 1st VP Barbara Fischer at 518-461-1703 for reservations. Please leave a voice mail (if no answer) with your reservation. Thank you!
Sunday, November 12th will be the fall Bingo at the Firefighter's Home. Festivities begin at 1:00 pm. All are welcome and as always, help is appreciated.
Sunday, December 10th will be the annual Christmas Party at the Firefighter's Home. The party will begin at 1:00 pm. All are welcome and as always, help is appreciated.
Thursday, January 18, 2024 will be the quarterly meeting starting at 7:30 pm at the Shaker Road- Loudonville Fire House.
The Valentines Bingo at the Firefighter's Home will be held on Sunday, February 11, 2024. Festivities will begin at 1:00 pm and as always, all are welcome and help is appreciated.
Please contact: Financial Secretary
Phyllis Dinkelacker at HMVFAfinsect@gmail.com if you have any questions regarding payment of dues.
It is with great sadness that the members of the Hudson Mohawk Volunteer Firefighters' Association express their deepest condolences to the family of Ancram Firefighter Stewart Guy Hunt. Stewart passed away June 15 after he suffered a medical emergency while attending a fire company call in the hamlet of Ancram. The wake and funeral services were handled by Peck & Peck Funeral Home in Copake, NY. He leaves behind his wife, small son, his immediate family as well as his firefighting family. Stewart is the son of former Columbia County Fire Coordinator William Hunt and his mother Kathleen Hunt. He is also survived by his brother William "Topher" Hunt and his wife Jamie. Stewart was 37 years old.
Family and friends paid tribute to Stewart on Friday June 23 with a firefighter memorial service at the funeral home with a church service held at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Copake Falls, NY on Saturday.
Thank you for your service Stewart. You will be missed.
Please check out www.ColumbiaPage.com for all allowable events happening in Columbia County