First Responders

New Castle’s First Responders

November 13, 2019 by The Inside Press

New Castle Police Department

The Town of New Castle Police Department is a full service accredited law enforcement organization of 37 sworn officers and 16 civilian employees under the leadership of Chief James Carroll. Chief Carroll recently took over as Chief after 25 years of ongoing and dedicated service; he began as a Police Officer in 1993, and worked next as a Field Training Officer, and then made Sergeant followed by Lieutenant before taking on the mantle of Chief. He and his entire force are dedicated to the safety and welfare of all New Castle residents. In addition to responding to 911 calls, the NCPD offers a full range of non-emergency services; some examples include: Child Safety Seat Inspection, Vacant House Check, Senior Watch Program, and Nixle Communication. Additionally, the New Castle Police Department partnered with Chappaqua resident and DORCs (Distracted Operators Risk Casualties) co-founder Ben Lieberman, to implement the now nationally-recognized “Hands off the Phone and On the Wheel” initiative. The Town of New Castle enjoys a high quality of life with low crime rates, and is well known as a great place to raise a family. mynewcastle.org/181/Police-Department

Chappaqua Fire Department

The Chappaqua Fire Department is the very definition of what it means to be a good neighbor. In fact, the department’s slogan “Neighbors Helping Neighbors Since 1910” was adopted in 2005 as their mission statement; a code-of-conduct promise to serve day-in and day-out 24/7/365. Chief John Maduras commands this municipal service, overseeing a fully volunteer staff of men and women, all of whom are highly trained in all aspects of Fire Suppression, Rescue, Fire Prevention and much more.

They ask little in return other than that residents do their part to prevent fires and stop them from spreading. To this end, the CFD website is full of helpful tips and information. It is also the place to become involved; the CFD is continuously accepting applications for membership. chappaquafd.org

Millwood Fire Company

The Millwood Fire Company, a 100% volunteer company of nearly seventy members, proudly serves and protects the citizens of Millwood, New York a hamlet of the town of New Castle, as well as large portions of Chappaqua and Ossining. Responding from two stations, the MFC protects a fire district of approximately 10 square miles; primarily residential, the area also includes a handful of commercial developments, as well as a regional electrical substation, a regional water filtration plant, several public schools and several group homes. Under the leadership of Chief Jan Schwark, the Millwood Fire Company is always looking for men and women who are willing to put forth the effort and take a step forward in community service. No prior experience is required, and full state approved training will be provided. Anybody over the age of 16 and in good health is welcome to fill out an application. millwoodfire.org

Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps

For more than 80 years, the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps, aka CVAC, has provided emergency care to those who visit, live, or work in New Castle. Volunteers are members of the community who can and do give freely of their time. Motivated by a combination of community spirit, a desire to give back, camaraderie, and an interest in emergency medicine, CVAC members share a common passion for helping the community. They respond to over 500 calls annually, attending to all forms of medical emergencies in the New Castle district. Whether it’s an at-home accident or illnesses, or an on-the-road vehicular accident, CVAC is quickly dispatched and equally quick to the scene. After triaging the situation, CVAC usually transports the patient to a local hospital Emergency Room for further medical care. CVAC also reaches out with programs to educate the community on First Aid and CPR. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes into making sure CVAC is ready to respond to medical emergencies in the community. To find out more, and/or to volunteer (no experience or background in emergency care is necessary or required; training is free and provided by CVAC): chappaquaambulance.org

Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps

OVAC, the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps, is comprised of both volunteer and career members who provide care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Currently, there are 25 active members, and more than 40 lifetime members who have all given over ten years of service to the Ossining Community. Members come from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life, and range in age from 16-year-old High School students to retirees. Though diverse, they are bound by their desire to be of service to their neighbors. Monthly training is part of the required duties of membership; EMT classes are offered in neighboring communities in conjunction with the Phelps Pre-Hospital Training Department. OVAC members also train others, offering First Aid and CPR courses as needed for anyone interested. In addition to the primary responsibility of answering emergency medical care calls, volunteers participate in community events such as parades, standbys at church bazaars and street fairs, and make presentations in community schools. ossiningvac.org

First responder contact info

If it’s an emergency, dial 911! For any non-emergency, keep this list handy.

Chappaqua Police Department, 914-238-4422

Chappaqua Fire Department, 914-238-4205

Millwood Fire Department, 914-941-2222

Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 914-238-3191

Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 914-941-9196

New Castle Animal Control, 914-238-6889

Information Courtesy of the Chappaqua Fire Department, the Millwood Fire Company, the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps. and The Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Girl Scout Effort Thanks the First Responder Heroes Among Us

April 18, 2019 by Suzanne Chazin

Emma Terjesen tries on the fire dept gear.

They are the volunteers who respond in the dead of the night when a fire breaks out. Or a senior takes a fall. Or a car plunges into a ditch. They give up their sleep, their weekends and their comfort to keep the rest of us safe.

Most people don’t give the town’s volunteer firefighters and ambulance corps members a second thought until they need to dial 911. But a group of Girl Scouts from Chappaqua Troop 1029 is trying to change all that. In 2014, the troop created an annual event to honor the town’s volunteer first responders with baked goods, banners, drawings and expressions of gratitude.

Now in its sixth year, the event, called, “Thank a Volunteer First Responder Day,” is held every year on the day after Memorial Day. This year, that date falls on Tuesday, May 28th. That evening, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., the Chappaqua Fire Department, the Millwood Fire Department and the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps will open their doors to the community.

“It’s a great event,” says Greg Santone, Chiefs’ Aid of the Millwood Fire Department. “Our members look forward to it every year. It’s especially gratifying to see all the little kids bringing their drawings and climbing all over the rigs. And we love giving families a better idea of what we do.”

The idea for this annual event started in 2014 when Troop 1029’s members were in fifth grade and looking for a project they could do to earn their Bronze Award—the third-highest community service award in Girl Scouting. “Our troop is always looking for ways to give back to the town,” notes Elizabeth Kasulka, parent co-leader of the troop. “Chappaqua Girl Scouts already deliver cookies to every veteran in New Castle on Veteran’s Day. We thought it might be nice to extend the same appreciation to our town’s volunteer first responders.”

That first year, the members of Troop 1029 pasted flyers in all the shop windows announcing the event. They set up a booth at the Chappaqua School Foundation’s annual Harlem Wizard’s basketball game and had community members sign posters of appreciation. They made banners and collected drawings from younger troops. More than a dozen scout troops showed up at that first event, as well as many other families from the community. “The troops brought all these delicious baked goods,” says Kate Clough, lieutenant of the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps. “We have a high school volunteer unit and the snacks really went over well with the teenagers.”

Thanks to the success of the first “Thank a Volunteer First Responder Day,” the troop petitioned the New Castle town board to make the day an annual event. Town Supervisor, Robert Greenstein, designed a banner that is displayed every May at the triangle coming into Chappaqua. “It’s nice that the event is right after Memorial Day,” says Greenstein. “It’s a reminder that our volunteers are much more than people who march in a parade. They’re there when you really need them.”

Every year, the event has grown in size–just as the girls have grown. The current troop members–Erica Dunne, Charlotte Harrison, Stephanie Kasulka, Lauren Schmutz, Emma Terjesen and Eileen Trotta–are now in tenth grade and hope to pass on the tradition to a younger Chappaqua Girl Scout troop in two years when they graduate high school.

“It’s refreshing to be recognized by younger people in the community,” says Russell Maitland, First Assistant Chief of the Chappaqua Fire Department. “Their understanding of the services we provide is the first step for them to become our future first responders.”

Community members are invited to join Chappaqua Girl Scout troop 1029 on Tuesday evening, May 28th, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Chappaqua Fire Department, the Millwood Fire Department or the Chappaqua Ambulance Corps to show their appreciation for the volunteers.

Spotlight on Community Day 2018: A Yearly Tradition Courtesy of the Rotary Club Filled with Fun for All

October 24, 2018 by Madeline Rosenberg

Greeley senior Andrew Kassin said the event was a great opportunity to fundraise and raise awareness for the Matthew Larson Foundation, as he and other students sold T-shirts and sweatshirts in remembrance of their classmate, Casey Taub.

The aroma of roasted hot dogs and cotton candy competed with the sounds of guitar strums and cheering children at the 2018 Community Day. The Rotary Club-sponsored event brought more than 70 organizations to the heart of Chappaqua. Kids sporting butterfly face paint and their parents interested in various local groups lined the train station parking lot. The September 15th event served not only as a community gathering but also as a chance for organizations to network and fundraise.

“We are here to support the community of Chappaqua,” attendee and Chappaqua resident Dara Dubs said. “It is also great to see old and new friends and our kids love going on the rides.”

While groups including the Chappaqua School Foundation and Chappaqua First Responders return to Community Day each year, Tea Town, and the Matthew Larson Foundation for Pediatric Brain Tumors were a few of several organizations who participated in the event for the first time. This year’s Community Day also featured new activities for children, including a pony ride and a scavenger hunt.

But not only did little kids take advantage of what the 2018 event had to offer, Greeley students also attended, performed and volunteered at Community Day. Executives from Greeley’s largest community service organization, S.H.A.R.E, distributed T-shirts for A Kids’ Brain Tumor Cure, adding to the bracelets, pins and flying discs that various non-profits and local businesses also circulated.

(L-R): Barbara Klein, George Furman, Donald Roane, Peter Davidson PHOTO BY MADELINE ROSENBERG

Greeley senior Andrew Kassin said the event was a great opportunity to fundraise and raise awareness for the Matthew Larson Foundation, as he and other students sold T-shirts and sweatshirts in remembrance of their classmate, Casey Taub.

“Jonathan Taub’s message has been to keep Casey in everyone’s mind, to keep honoring him and to never forget him,” Kassin said. “Being here is a great way to carry that on.”

As community members of all ages enjoyed the activities that local groups sponsored, Rotary Club of Chappaqua president Eileen Gallagher said Community Day also serves as a natural way to bring attention to the Rotary Club itself.

“We look forward to more and more people coming each year,” Gallagher said. “We really want people to know we are here for them.”

(L-R): Sarah Platkin, Catherine Zhu, Jordan Rattner, volunteers from S.H.A.R.E.
PHOTO BY MADELINE ROSENBERG

A Reflection on 9/11 and the Gratitude that Fills Me

October 22, 2017 by The Inside Press

The 9/11 ceremony at Gedney Park was well attended
PHOTO BY STACEY PFEFFER

By Rev. Dr. Martha R. Jacobs

As I was walking up the path towards the 9/11 commemoration in Gedney Park this year, I mused to myself that this was the fourth year I was participating. I remembered the first time I arrived for the ceremony. I had been at the First Congregational Church (FCC) for about three weeks, had been asked to participate (I guess because I was “new” to the community), and when I got out of my car, not knowing anyone and not even knowing where to go, there was Robin Stout, one of my congregants and a Town Board member, seemingly waiting to greet me. He took me up the hill and introduced me to just about everyone involved. At the time, I didn’t remember their names, and had no clue that I would be getting so involved in this community. I was so grateful for Robin’s presence with me.

I had been a volunteer chaplain at Ground Zero for several months following the events of that awful morning, had spoken at several conferences in the years following about my work at Ground Zero and my time as President of the New York Disaster Interfaith Services. But I was now in a new community that, for the most part, had no idea of my history and connection to 9/11. Being asked to participate in that ceremony meant more to me than most people realized. I was so grateful to have been asked.

Local Boy Scouts salute the flag at the 9/11 ceremony
PHOTO BY STACEY PFEFFER

And, now, four years later, I am still being asked to participate.

I knew where I was going and was greeted by so many people, both first responders and members of the wider community and it filled my heart with gratitude. I remain thankful for the opportunity to pause every year to remember those who gave their lives, those who lost their lives and those who continue to struggle with health issues as a result of coming to the rescue of those who were trapped and those who died, as they sought to find the remains of those who died, so that families could have proper burials. And, I pause to remember those police and firefighters and construction workers with whom I sat and talked, and listened to, and cried with and prayed for. And I remember those with whom I walked to the cross that had been found among the rubble of the buildings, that had been placed on a piece of cement for those workers who needed to see a symbol of hope and grace amidst the immense devastation and loss of human life. At the time, there was no explanation as to what happened and why it happened. I will never forget the sounds, the smells and the sights of walking into the wreckage and seeing that metal cross, which also helped me to find the courage to be there with these brave men and women.

My life has been forever changed, forever scarred and forever filled with gratitude for those who put their own lives on the line in order to try to make a difference for those whose loved ones died on that tragic morning. It changed our lives and theirs forever.

Being a part of FCC has changed me forever as well. So has being a part of this community whether through offering prayers at community events at the pagoda, during the Memorial Day commemoration, working with the school district on ensuring the safety of our children, or talking with people at Community Day. I am filled with gratitude that God has called me to serve this community at such a time as this.

Rev. Dr. Martha R. Jacobs is the Senior Minister at the First Congregational Church in Chappaqua.

Expressions of Gratitude to First Responders during New Castle’s 9/11 Ceremony

September 11, 2016 by Inside Press

Article and Photos by Grace Bennett

A spirit of appreciation filled the bucolic space of Gedney Park’s 9/11 Memorial today as New Castle and Westchester public officials and clergy expressed their gratitude to First Responders while also commending community service and generous neighbor acts which emulate their work; preceding the ceremony, firefighters and police officers first circled into the heart of the Memorial facing and saluting speakers.

911-16-fireguysfront — New Castle First Responders include members of the New Castle Police Department, Chappaqua Fire Department, Millwood Fire Company, Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps., Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps,, and Westchester EMS

Keynote Speaker Congresswoman Nita Lowey

“We follow the inspiring lead of those who sacrificed their own health in long and arduous rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero by joining this weekend in community service projects to help our neighbors,” said keynote speaker Congresswoman Nita Lowey. “And we proudly celebrate the American spirit of endurance and perseverance.”

A generosity of spirit was alive and well in New Castle in the days and months following 9/11, according to a Narrative of 9/11* written by New Castle’s Bob Coulombe. At the conclusion of the ceremony, it was read in three parts by New Castle town board members. The text of the narrative can be found toward the end of this story.

911-manstanding — Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein at the podium

At the start of the ceremony, Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein said that “On 9/11, around America we give thanks to who rushed toward danger instead of away from it; here in New Castle we have both those who grieve and those we honor and thank. Out of the ashes we have grown stronger.

“In New Castle, that spirit of community surrounds us 365 days a year from our First Responders–fire departments and ambulance corps.– to those who help our elderly, teach our children, or volunteer to help homeless and hungry through houses of worship.

“Let’s make sure every day we remember those we love and join me to thank those who serve us.”

Rev. Dr. Martha Jacobs, First Congregational Church of Chappaqua

In the invocation, Rev. Dr. Martha Jacobs, senior minister of the First Congregational Church, stated: “God be with all of our First Responders as they risk their own well-being themselves for us every day. Help us to never take for granted the work that they do so that we might be safe. Help us to remember just how precious life and living are and we may never ever take that for granted.”

Introducing Congresswoman Lowey as the keynote speaker, state Assemblyman David Buchwald described Lowey as “a guide to this country in heeding the lessons of 15 years ago at home and abroad.” He stated that as a ranking member of the Appropriations Committee, Lowey secured dollars for First Responders, and makes sure that the New York metropolitan area has received its fair share of 9/11 funds. He said Lowey has also been at the forefront of “securing our nuclear facilities, air and train facilities, and stood by our allies fighting terrorism overseas in their own land.”

“United together we will continue to endure to protect the American people,” Lowey stated, too.

Greenstein introduced Mike Wolfensohn for the “Reading of the Lost.” In doing so, Greenstein noted, “We wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the efforts of Mike to bring this memorial to New Castle.”

Wolfensohn spoke eloquently and emotionally about how neighbor helped neighbor and asked the New Castle community to embrace those neighborly feelings again.

“We all remember the color of the sky that day. We banded together…to offer love and support as we searched for our lost neighbor–everybody putting their own lives on hold for whatever needed to be done. That feeling of unity and community is what served as the basis for this memorial and this contemplative space. It was never about anything but the spirit that we all felt.”

“We tend to fall back into our regular routines… lessons are forgotten…” He asked the New Castle community “”to embrace those good feelings about being a good neighbor, that spirit of patriotism; let’s honor the memory of those lost…by trying harder to live like we did.”

And then, with his voice breaking, Wolfensohn fondly remembered the residents of New Castle who were lost, reciting their names: Louis Inghliteria, George Morell, and Alan Schwartzstein.

911-16-starrr — Temple Beth El’s Cantor Starr Trumpeter

Presentation of the Wreath, Ltd. John Vise, New Castle Police Deparement — Presentation of the Wreath, Lieutenant John Vise, New Castle Police Department

In a Benediction, Cantor Starr Trumpeter of Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester stated: “9/11 ingrained in all of us that each life is a cherished offering and that each life has meaning and intention. We are reminded that many wounds are still healing and many emotions are still raw. The challenge is to remember the worst that has happened to America while moving toward a better America. “

Bagpiper Kevin Moore performed: Flowers of the Forest and Amazing Grace

"Brotherhood of Heroes" Girl Scout Troop 1033 — “Brotherhood of Heroes” Girl Scout Troop 1033

Reading by Shobha Vanchiswar "I Remember (September 11)" — Reading by Shobha Vanchiswar “I Remember (September 11)”

"Taps" performed by Joe Sabia of the Chappaqua Orchestra — “Taps” performed by Joe Sabia of the Chappaqua Orchestra

911-16-cvacmfh — Volunteers of the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps. joined many others at a reception at the Millwood Fire Department following the ceremony. A delicious spread was prepared by the MFD’s Ladies’ Auxiliary.

* Narrative of 9/11 by CVAC Captain Bob Coulombe

Part One, read by Council Member Lisa Katz

“On September 11, 2001, our country was attacked by Al Quaeda terrorists. These horrific attacks took place at the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, at The Pentagon in Washington D.C., and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where Flight 93 crashed. In total, 2,973 people perished on September 11, 2001, including three Town of New Castle Residents, Louis Inghliteria, George Morell, and Allan Schwartzstein.

“In the aftermath, up to 10,000 volunteers worked to recover survivors and those who were lost. These brave first responders came from all over the United States and overseas. Unfortunately, only 28 people were found alive. Another 112 people perished but were identified and returned to their grieving families for burial and closure. There are currently another 1022 victims who are memorialized at the Reflection Pools at the 9/11 Plaza. This stands at their final resting place. Visitors can find white roses from time to time at the memorial; this white rose denotes which denotes the birthday of the person on whose name it rests. This is one way we are still able to show respect and, “never forget” those who lost their lives that day.

The only surviving tree from September 11, 2001 was discovered by two iron workers, who said they tried to save it because it was the only living thing down there that day. Fortunately they were able to save it and it was treated at the New York Botanical Garden. Today that tree can be found replanted on the site just west of the South Tower. It is thriving to this day and is a great symbol of our perseverance.

O’Hara’s, a pub just south of the FDNY Ten House was cleaned up by the owner and used as a triage center on September 11, 2001. In the days following, it was used as a rehab center for the people working at Ground Zero. Volunteers were able to go to O’Hara’s for a meal, a shower, and a little rest. The Pub’s owner, Mike O’Hara, never charged anyone a cent for six months. Word of this generosity spread quickly throughout the First Responder Community and today, O’Hara’s Pub is home to over 3,000 patches from Police, Fire, EMS and Military Worldwide.

Part 2, read by Town Council Member Adam Brodsky

Minutes after the second airplane hit the towers, an unprecedented mobilization began. Our Country hadn’t seen anything like it, since the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The first ever “All Hands” alarm was called by the New York City Fire Department. Police, Fire and EMS personnel mobilized in Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey, as well as in surrounding states and then around the country.

Here, in The Town of New Castle, Police Chief Bob Breen received call at 9:30 am from Bob Coulombe, Captain of Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corp asking permission to use the police bus to take CVAC volunteers to the World Trade Center. Chief Breen quickly agreed and CVAC Captain Bob Coulombe asked members who could to report in–with the advisory that their stay would be for an undetermined period of time. Fifteen volunteers reported in within minutes of the call for help. Dan Blum, a CVAC member and then Director of Operations for Westchester EMS joined his Paramedics at CVAC Headquarters and we were ordered by County EMS Command to report to Yonkers Raceway. First responders, along with 350 other pieces of fire apparatuses, ambulances and police vehicles, and over 1500 volunteers waited for a call to Ground Zero, but were never called down.

As CVAC was preparing to deploy, Richie Lange, from Lange’s Little Store, pulled up with sandwiches, cases of water and soda for the volunteers. We still don’t know how Richie knew we were preparing to go to Ground Zero, but we appreciate the thought and respect we felt that day, especially from Richie and his crew.

Chief Charlie Bergstrom, from the Chappaqua Fire Department, had 52 members who volunteered to go to Ground Zero in the aftermath. They were not called to Ground Zero, but reported to station houses in The Bronx to cover for fire companies, who had responded to Ground Zero. Millwood Chief, Ray Lips, had 37 members of his department respond as well. First Assistant Chief Walter Quast and his engine crew were deployed to a staging center in Valhalla, by Westchester County Incident Command. Captain Mike Horan called his brother, Robert, in Massachusetts and with the help of FDNY Captain Rickets, set up a critical item relay to Ground Zero.

Chief Breen put on his other hat as a Lt. Commander in the Naval Militia and was part of a team who reached out to the affected families to secure DNA evidence to help identify victims. Bob Coulombe was the Commander of a team and the effort of his people and other teams resulted in the largest DNA effort to assist victim identification in United States History.

Under the supervision of Lt. John Vize, The New Castle Police Department sent officers to New York City in order to provide a variety of services, including controlling critical infrastructure, roadways and passages such as tunnels and bridges. Many went on their own time to help with Rescue and Recovery on the pile and spent days working there.

Part 3, read by Town Council Member Jeremy Saland

Jerry Faiella, who was New Castle Town Administrator at the time, with the consent of Supervisor Marion Sinek, sent out an appeal to the citizens of New Castle to donate equipment to help the rescuers have sufficient tools, gloves, masks etc. Within a few days The Town was able to fill a tractor trailer, donated by Barr Brothers Moving Company, and drive down to Ground Zero to be put to use by all rescue teams and volunteers.

Diana Quast and the women of the Millwood Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary collaborated to provide a compendium of skill sets offered by the citizens of New Castle. This book was delivered to the Jacob Javitz Center and became an asset of the Incident Command Team dealing with the complexity of the work being done in and around Ground Zero.

On May 2, 2002, the last piece of steel was removed in a ceremony marking the end of that deployment. The cost is calculated at 100 million dollars a week. 1.5 million tons of debris was removed. Mike Wolfenson arranged for New Castle to receive the steel remnant from Ground Zero, that steel is the centerpiece of this memorial around which we gather today.

Today is the 15th Anniversary of these horrific attacks and since this memorial was created in 2008, we come here to reflect and remember every year. It is a good thing that we, as a community meet, pause to reflect, and remember the impact of this solemn day in our history. We must also remember the immediate and active response that the citizens of New Castle contributed that day and in the days that followed– ready to go at a moments notice and with no questions asked.

God rest the souls of Louis Inghliteria, George Morell, and Alan Schwartzstein. God Bless their families, God Bless this Community and God Bless the United States of America.

Respectfully submitted

Bob Coulombe, Captain CVAC on September 11, 2001