06/29/2026
2026 OFD Inspection Champs
This past Saturday, the Department held its annual Inspection. Members, invited guests, local & state dignitaries gathered and “inspected” our department. Weeks of preparation go into getting the apparatus ready. It’s not just to “make it look pretty”, but to go over and ensure every piece of equipment is in working order more than just weekly Checks, and to ensure it’s in depth cleanliness.
Judging of the apparatus is conducted by the Westchester County Parade Judges Association. After judging, the invited guests are able to tour and view the hard and dedicated work of the department. Pride in our apparatus and general appearance has been a long standing tradition in the OFD. Engine 96 would once again be the recipients of the Clint Crawford Best Appearing Department Apparatus Award. The department as a whole looked outstanding, we all as a department should be proud of our continued tradition in keeping the equipment we are so fortunate to have as good as we do.
Along with being awarded best appearing rig, the program was a bit different this year showcasing the hard work and dedication of our membership. For the first time, we awarded members with “Firefighter of the Year” awards for their above and beyond dedication to the OFD and our community. These dedicated members were Patrick Meudt of Washington Hook & Ladder Co. #2 (TL42), and our own Mateo Coburn of Ossining Hose. The top responders of the department we acknowledged for their dedication and commitment in ensuring the safety of our community. These numbers were calculated btwn January 1st & June 26th of this year. The top responder was our own President & Safety Officer John Joe D’Emidio, other members of Ossining Hose part of the “Top 10” were Firefighter’s Wilberto Alverio & Mateo Coburn.
Along with these acknowledgments, the members that competed the OFD Probationary Member Class for class “02-2025” were awarded certificates for their commitment in beginning their fire service career’s. Among these members was Ossining Hose Member Firefighter Wilberto Alverio. We’d also like to give a shout-out to all the members of the Department and Junior Corps that Graduated Saturday as well from Ossining High School. Along with graduating, congratulate fellow Northside Member Firefighter Carter Simkins of TL42 on being the recipient of this year’s OFD Walter Quast Memorial Scholarship. We wish him the best of luck as he begins his college career in the fall at Penn State.
We thank the members of the company for their continued dedication and support of OHC & the department. We look forward to continuing our long standing tradition of 170 years of service.
**Also, thanks to the Mutual Aid Companies of Dobbs Ferry Fire & Irvington Fire for covering us during our night.
