With more than 100 onlookers in attendance, 2nd Vice President of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) and Chairman of the Capital Projects Committee David Jacobowitz, who served as master of ceremonies for the event, began the program.  Presentations were made by Mr. Jacobowitz; FASNY President Michael P. Wutz; former President of the Board of Trustees of the Firemen’s Home and current Trustee Thomas J. Mooney; President of the Firemen’s Home Board of Trustees James W. Wright; former FASNY Director and Clerk of the Works for construction of the new Firemen’s Home William Grant; former Trustee Donald H. Fox; LAFASNY President Kathryn Welton; FASNY Chief Administrative Officer David A. Quinn; and Firemen’s Home Administrator Craig Wittman.

David Jacobowitz stated, “I couldn’t think of a more appropriate way and weekend to celebrate the completion of a dream come true.  With the dedication of this Builder’s Plaque honoring those involved, it closes this chapter of the Firemen’s Home and opens a new chapter, one that continues to bring devotion and care for its members.”

Once the covering was removed from the plaque with great fanfare, the following wording was presented, “The Firemen’s Home of the State of New York building opened on June 25, 2007, dedicated to our brothers and sisters in the volunteer fire service on September 16, 2007.”  A list of FASNY Officers and Directors along with Home Trustees and Past Presidents, Directors and Trustees since 1998 Project Inception was also inscribed on the plaque along with other key names.

Following the building plaque dedication, a ceremony was held to commemorate the individuals signing the time capsule that will soon be installed into the new building. 

Some of the items in the time capsule include history books of the Firemen’s Home, FASNY and the FASNY Museum of Firefighting, items from the Centennial Celebration, autographed softball from the 25th anniversary of the Cosmo Strigaro Memorial Slow Pitch Tournament, copies of the Volunteer Firefighter issue honoring the victims of the 9/11 attack, old photos, letters, badges, photo cd’s and articles, as well as contents of both time capsules found in the old Firemen’s Home from 1931 and 1966.

Jim Wright added, “With the exception of a few landscaping details, final paving of some employee parking lots and lighting of the access to the three softball fields from the Home, this completes a project that including planning and design work spanned a decade.  We are now ready to start a new era at the Firemen’s Home.”

The Firemen's Home is the only nursing home in New York State devoted to caring for volunteer firefighters. For more information, please send us an email from the "Contact Us" page on this website or call us at (800) 479-7695.

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