COMMAND

A COMPLETE LIST OF OUR ACTIVE COMMAND STAFF & KEY PERSONNEL

OUR HISTORY

In the later part of 1913, a group of men determined that there was a need for a fire company in the Village of West Haverstraw. Louis Adler, Bert Towers, and William Curran, Sr. organized what was later to become Volunteer Hose Company No. 2 the first fire company in the Village.

Their first efforts, however, were to no avail, as the Village Board turned them down in 1914. Early in 1915, the Village Board, with Louis Adler as Mayor, approved the formation of the Volunteer Fire Company. The Company was incorporated June 14, 1915, and Bert Towers was elected the first chief. The newly formed company immediately purchased a piece of land for $500. The original firehouse was built by the firemen in 1919 on the site of the former Manhattan Theater. Most of the labor was completed by the members, with some outside help donated. A fire at the Fowler Brickyard aided the building program and saved the Company considerable expense. Mr. Fowler told the firefighters that they could have all the bricks they needed for their new firehouse. This set a good precedent as most of the other brickyards then donated bricks, and the firefighters only had to pick them up. Financial assistance was received from the Village Board with the appropriation of $8,000 towards the cost of material and labor that was necessary to complete the project.

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Command Staff

DEPT. & LINE OFFICERS

HOUSE OFFICERS

LIFE MEMBERS

ACTIVE ROSTER

DEPARTMENT & LINE OFFICERS

2023 - 2024

(23-1) CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT

ROBERT LAGROW

I’m presently the Chief of Department for the West Haverstraw FD. I have been a member of the department since 1989. Over the course of my 34yrs with the department I’ve had the honor of holding the ranks of 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenant, Captain and Chief of Department. I’ve also held the positions of Fire Warden and Training Officer for several years.

(23-3) ASSISTANT CHIEF

JOSE MULERO

Born and raised in the Village of Haverstraw, I was always chasing the fire trucks to the fires. Fascinated by the sounds of the blaring fire whistle and screaming sirens it grew on me and motivated me to one day make my dream come true. I joined the fire explorer post in 1996. In 1998, at the age of 16, I officially applied to become a Jr. firefighter. During my 25 years, I was able to race through the ranks. Currently, I am the 2nd Assistant Chief. Still to this day I am fascinated every day of living out my childhood dream.

(23-FP2) FIRE POLICE 1st LIEUTENANT

TODD WEISS

BIO COMING SOON

CHIEF'S AIDE

JOHN KRYGER

John is a Life member of the Rockland County Volunteer Firefighters’ Association, corresponding secretary of the RCVFA; member of the Rockland County Fire Chiefs’ Association; member and past chairman of the RC Fire Advisory Board; member of the Firefighter’s Association of the State of New York; member of the State of NY Fire Chiefs Assn.; life member of the FDNY St. George Association; member of the FDNY Pulaski Association; member of International Association of Firefighters, NYC Local 94; active volunteer member of the West Haverstraw Fire Dept., (1975-1987 in SW Johnson SFE Co.1) currently serving in Volunteer Hose Co. 2 as chief’s aide; public information officer of the West Haverstraw FD, financial secretary of Volunteer Hose Co. 2. 1965-1986 Firefighter, New York City Fire Department.

(23-7) LIEUTENANT

RICH FENNER

I have been volunteer firefighter and a member of Volunteer Hose since November 2001. Throughout my time with the company I’ve held the positions of assistant engineer, chief engineer and 2nd Lieutenant. Currently I am the 1st Lieutenant.

(23-9) LIEUTENANT

PHIL HECKETT

I have been a volunteer firefighter and member of Volunteer Hose Co. #2 since March 2007. Throughout my time with the company I’ve held the position of Vice President from 2010-2021 and acting President from 2021-2022. Currently I am 2nd Lieutenant.

(23-11) CHIEF ENGINEER

KYLE SCHEPIS

I have been a member of Volunteer Hose since 2007 joining at the age 17 as a junior member. Over the course of my time here I’ve held a position on the executive board as well as Assistant Engineer and currently I am the Chief Engineer.

MEDICAL OFFICER

GEORGE TRAGER

BIO COMING SOON

ASSITANT ENGINEER

EFRAIN CASTRO

BIO COMING SOON

ASSISTANT ENGINEER

ANGEL COLON

My name is Angel Colon. I’ve been a member of the fire service for 34 years. 29 of those years have been in serving with Volunteer Hose Co. #2 Currently I am a firefighter/driver. Holding the position of assistant engineer for several years.

ASSISTANT ENGINEER

MIKE BONAVITO

BIO COMING SOON

Line Officers

Anchor 2

HOUSE OFFICERS

2023 - 2024

PRESIDENT

OMAR MUNOZ

I have been a member of Volunteer Hose since 1998. I joined as a junior firefighter at the age of 16. Throughout the years I have held the positions Financial Secretary, Executive Board Member, Executive Board Chair, Acting Vice President and currently I am company President.

VICE PRESIDENT

ANDY KOLESAR

I have been a member of Volunteer Hose Co. #2 since 1990. During the course of time as a member I have held the offices of Secretary, 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, Captain, 2nd Assistant Chief,
1st Assistant Chief and Chief of Department. I have had the pleasure to sit of various committees. Currently I am the Vice President.

TREASURER

DAVE KRYGER

I have been a member of Volunteer Hose since 1988. I was fortunate to serve as the company Vice-President, Fire Prevention Officer, Chief of Department and on the West Haverstraw Fire Board. I am currently serving as the company treasurer and after being here for over 35 years, I love being afforded the opportunity to mix it up between driving the apparatus and riding the back step, all based on my company’s needs of the day.

SECRETARY

YIFAN SHEN

Yifan joined the company in May 2021 and since then he has taken up multiple responsibilities within the fire house which includes: recording secretary, fire prevention officer and soon to be webmaster. He moved to Haverstraw in February 2021. He thought by joining the local volunteer fire house would be a good way to give back to the community and it would be a great to make new connections in a new environment. When he is not answering fire calls, he works as a Sales Engineer. You can always catch him with a smile on so if you see him, don't be afraid to say hi!

FINANCIAL SECRETARY

CHUCK HATALA

Chuck joined the company in June of 1976. He is a Life member of the company and the 1984 RCVFA Fireman of the Year. He has held numerous positions in his over 45 years of services which included Lieutenant, Captain, 2nd Assistant Chief, President, Chief Engineer, Secretary, House Committee and Fire Board.

LOSAP SECRETARY

JOE BERTOLINO

COMING SOON

House Officers

Life Members

25-YEAR LIFE MEMBERS

ALL TIME

LIFE MEMBER

ANDREW KOLESAR

LIFE MEMBER

ANTHONY FRONTINO

LIFE MEMBER

BENARD ELLIS

LIFE MEMBER

BILL MACKEY

LIFE MEMBER

CHARLIE SCAGILONE

LIFE MEMBER

CHUCK HATALA

LIFE MEMBER

DAN DENNEHY

LIFE MEMBER

DAVE BARBERA

LIFE MEMBER

DAVE KRYGER

LIFE MEMBER

DOMINICK D'ALISERA

LIFE MEMBER

ED DWYER

LIFE MEMBER

FRANK DEGROAT

LIFE MEMBER

GEORGE DAVIDSON, SR.

LIFE MEMBER

GEORGE ZAYAS

LIFE MEMBER

JAMES REILLY

LIFE MEMBER

JAMES ZACARDO

LIFE MEMBER

JOHN D’AMBROSIO

LIFE MEMBER

JOHN INTRIERI

LIFE MEMBER