FREMONT — The Jeffersonville Fire Department held its 2024 Installation of Officers dinner at the Roscoe Mountain Club on Saturday, March 2. At the dinner, they had a special presentation honoring Tom Puerschner for 60 years of active service. 

Puerschner is the first firefighter to reach the 60 years of active service milestone in the history of Jeffersonville Fire Department’s Protection Hose Company 1. There are two other members to have reached 50 active years of service - Donald Hauschild and Gary Mathern. 

“Tom dedicated his whole life to providing a service to his country and his community,” said Sullivan County Fire Coordinator John Hauschild, an active member of Jeffersonville Fire Department for over 40 years. 

Puerschner joined the Fire Department in March of 1964 and has chaired several committees since as well as serving several offices including up to the rank of Chief and Commissioner of the Jeff fire district. 

Puerschner said the proudest moment was when his son, Ed, became the third-generation Chief of the Jeff Fire Department. 

Hauschild turned it over to Ed Puerschner to present his father with a 60-year pin and fasten it on his uniform. 

“I am honored to present the 60-year active year badge to my dad, Thomas Puerschner,” Ed Puerschner said.

Puerschner was also presented with several awards from various organizations - a Certificate of Appreciation from the Hudson Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association, a Certificate of Recognition from Senator Peter Oberacker, a New York State Assembly Certificate of Merit from Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and a Proclamation Honor from the New York Firefighters Association. 

The Jeffersonville Fire Department also presented Puerschner with a plaque, which reads, “Presented to Thomas Puerschner and recognition for 60 years of active service, extraordinary dedication and commitment to your community from 1964 to 2024. We honor and salute you.”

Taking the oath

The officers to be sworn in at the installation dinner were Chief Joe Mall, First Assistant Chief Pat Clifford, Second Assistant Chief Ryan Gain, President Charles McLeod, Secretary John Wayne, Treasurer Ed Puerschner, Quartermaster Tom Gain Sr., and Fire Surgeon Jake Zinas. 

Newly elected President, Charles McLeod, presented past President Ross Turner with an award honoring him for his service, which included being the Chairman to lead the Jeff Fire Department in placing second in the Healthiest Fire Department Challenge last year. 

Current Chief Joe Mall also presented past Chief John Mall with an award, a fireman’s helmet engraved with his name and “past chief.”

John Mall also presented some awards, including the Chief’s Award to David Bodenstein.