On a bitterly cold and windy Jan 4, 2008 night, Assistant Chief James T. Leghorn of the Cronomer Valley Fire Department responded with the company for a mutual aid request to the scene of a working structure fire on Peace Road in the Plattekill Fire District. As Assistant Chief Leghorn drove to the scene, he could see a column of flames reaching above the tree tops and the fire dispatcher announcing to all responding units that there was an occupant still inside the house and the victim was still on the line with dispatch talking to from her cell phone.

Upon arriving, Asst. Chief Leghorn checked in with Plattekill First Assistant Chief Robert Jackson and was asking to start looking for a way into the cellar basement of the house and that there was a girl trapped inside that area of the home. Jim along with Plattekill fire department Lt. Jason Meyers began the journey to find a way in. They came to a hole in the back-yard which led to a below grade basement door that was bolted and locked and nailed shut. They could hear 14 year old Destiny Lebron behind the door choking on the smoke from the heavy fire directly above her head. At that moment Jim had told destiny to move away from the door and Lt. Meyers using his body broke down the door. Asst. Chief Leghorn helped Lt. Meyers back on his feet and proceeded to find Miss Lebron in the basement and led her out of the house to awaiting EMS personnel. Miss Lebron suffered from mild smoke inhalation that night and her family’s house was ddestroyed by the fast moving flames. Cronomer Valley Fire responded under mutual aid with three chief officers, one tower ladder, one engine and one rescue and fire police to the scene of the fire.

It is with tremendous pride that the Cronomer Valley Fire Department places the name of James T. Leghorn Sr. for consideration for the 2009 Fire Fighter of the Year award for his actions in 2008. James has been a member of the Cronomer Valley Fire Department for the past thirty years and has held every firematic office including Chief of The Department from 1993-1995 and Fire Commissioner from 1996-2005. (Prepared by Chief Dominick Greene, Fire Chief, Cronomer Valley Fire Department.)

On July 27, 2008 at 1743 hours, the pavilion behind the Montgomery Firehouse was rented out for a private gathering when a 62 year old male collapsed. Quick action by members of the Montgomery Fire Department in attendance and other fire department members saved this persons life. CPR was immediately started by past Montgomery Fire Depart-ment member and current City of Newburgh Fire Department Lt. John O. Nokland, who did chest compressions along with Catherine Brooks a civilian in attendance. FDNY Captain Sean Giery who is also a nurse and Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard, did mouth to mouth rescue breathing. Also assisting was Montgomery life member Frank Turner (who is non-active), Firefighter Rick Malley and Past Chief Greg Kaufman who immediately responded with the medical vehicle to the scene where Lt. John O. Nokland applied the AED. A shock was administered which revived the victim. The victim was then transported to St. Luke’s Hospital via Mobile Life ambulance and then transferred to Vassar Hospital where he had a quadruple heart procedure done. Numerous other members and civilians helped on this call. It was with-out a doubt a case of being in the right place at the right time with the right people around.
Yours truly, Robert A. Reynolds Sr.; Chief, Montgomery Fire Department

A unified command system was set up by both departments to make the rescue attempt. Equipment and manpower were walked in and boated in .It should be noted that all firefighters involved were exposed to constant leaking fuel, unstable soft ground, darkness and awkward lifting positions. It was through the actions of all firefighters involved that four victims were rescued from certain death. Unfortunately a fifth victim was fatally injured.