Today at the Hogansburg Volunteer Fire Station #1

We gathered to remember the past, honor the ones who risk their lives to protect our community and also to look to the future.

With a good sized crowd in attendance, Jason McDonald started us off by introducing the current fire chief; Derek comins, the former fire chief’s including Derek’s father Donny comins and also the current St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s  Chief’s Beverly Cook and Ron lafrance.

Jason indicated the hvfd has been in operation for 60 years this year and it all started with a terrible fire that claimed the lives of 7 children. They vowed to not ever let it happen again, so it began, looking for funding for equipment and necessities. In the early years they struggled to make do with what they had, several members telling stories about the hurdles they faced just to get the truck out of the station.

So today it was with great pleasure they introduced the brand new tower 94. This is a huge, bright yellow ladder truck and affectionately called the crown jewel of station #1. On behalf of the Community of Akwesasne, the HVFD thanked the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort General Manager ; Pat Bassney for providing funding  for the truck, also Ron Lafrance for helping to get things they need all the time whether it be cooking  chicken or getting big yellow trucks, Ron is the man for the job!! They also thanked USDA Staff Brian & Renee who have always helped with funding the HVFD.

Chief Beverly Cook gave a special congratulation’s to Tyren Square, who is 9 years old. He recently saw smoke coming from a garage and acted upon his instincts, he asked his Grandmother if the people across the street had a wood stove, she answered no. Tyren said well they have a fire and immediately ran across the road and woke up the people sleeping in the home. By the time they got out of the house, the smoke was billowing through the garage windows. Racine Johnson also wanted to honor Tyren for being a hero; Racine took time to bead Tyren a special medallion which she presented to him along with a Community Hero Award certificate!

So with that the HVFD told Tyren that when he turns 18 he better come fill out a membership form and join the team, they will have a spot for him. All of the former fire chief’s and current fire fighters lined up to shake his hand! Tyren along with the former fire chief’s all went for a ride in the big new tower 94 truck!!