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Southern Ulster Times, Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Gael Appler honored by Milton Engine Company
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a dozen times, never again I promise you
that, except the shed still needs to be
cleaned out and moved one more time.”
Appler said as the summer approached
the air conditioning was off line and dust
covered their desks as meetings went
ahead hoping the project would end in
their lifetimes.
Appler thanked Dane Mannese for
his five year commitment and an endless
number of meetings that successfully
brought the Ulster County parade
to Milton - “Thank you Dane, you did
a great job.” Appler thanked his line
officers, “who are all brothers of mine,”
and kidded the social officers, “because
we can blame them for every problem that
we have.” In addition, he thanked the Fire
Commissioners, “who we can blame too,
all of whom are an integral part of the
cog of our fire department. The current
district board provides resources to keep
us at the top of our game.”
Appler tipped his hat to the Ladies
Auxiliary for their steadfast dedication
to the department and to older veteran
firefighters who help train the newer
crew, adding, “As we all know good
firefighters never stop learning.”
Appler said the apparatus operators
always take the brunt of criticism at
fire calls, “but they are one of the most
valuable components of a successful
operation.”
Appler thanked the Marlborough
Police Department and Mobile Life
Support Services.
“We work together all the time and
you never know when and you never
know how bad [but] they always make our
jobs easy as it can be,” he said.
Appler thanked their sister companies
in Marlboro, Highland, Clintondale,
Esopus and Middlehope for providing
backup assistance at a moment’s
notice.
“Congrats to everyone here with the
determination to serve this community
for decades,” he said. “You carry on the
legacy and the tradition and service that
is the volunteer fire service. Thank you
all,” he concluded.
1st Assistant Chief Stephen Kneeter
said in 2017 the Milton Fire Company
responded to 98 calls, “which is kind of a
good year for us”; man hours responding
The Company honored (L-R) Gael Appler Jr. for his 25 years of service to the department and
James Kent and Anthony Rodelli for their 35 years of service.
Gael Appler Sr. was honored for his 50 years of service to the Milton Engine Company at
the department’s annual Inspection Banquet. Pictured L-R Social President Ed Bozydaj,
Supervisor Al Lanzetta, Appler and Legislator Mary Beth Maio.
to fire calls totaled 3,079, “which equals
about 60 hours per week per firefighter. He
said the members turn out for numerous
training and special functions, such as
basic interior firefighter operations and
Firefighter I and II, flash over training,
systems and search teams and firefighter
survival and confined space and chemical
suicide training. In addition, they take a
basic rescue technician class and county
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Chief Gael Appler Jr (L) and 1st Asst. Chief Stephen Kneeter honored Daniel Pinnavaia as the
Firefighter of the Year for 2017.