West Haverstraw Fire Department

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The West Haverstraw Fire Department provides voluntary fire protection to the residents and businesses in the Village of West Haverstraw, which includes the hamlet of Garnerville.

It is with deep regret the officers and members of Volunteer Hose Co. 2, of the WHFD, share the passing of our brother, ...
06/02/2026

It is with deep regret the officers and members of Volunteer Hose Co. 2, of the WHFD, share the passing of our brother, Anthony "Tony" Holdampf.

Tony instilled his firefighting enthusiasm in both his son David (FDNY and 2nd Asst. Chief of the WHFD, and his son in law Robert “Bobby” LaGrow, FDNY and Ex-Chief of the WHFD).

Tony served with the 101st Airborne Division and carried that sense of duty into a 37-year career with the NYC Fire Department. He began at Engine 43 in the Bronx before transferring to Ladder 19 in the South Bronx during the War Years of the late 1960s and 1970s, when arson and poverty turned entire neighborhoods to ash and firehouses ran around the clock. Tony was then a charter member of Tactical Control Unit 712, an elite unit deployed into the most dangerous fires in the city at the height of the crisis. After the War Years he served at 37 Truck before retiring from 52 Truck in Riverdale.

After retiring he volunteered with Volunteer Hose Company No. 2 of West Haverstraw, where he was a life member and was honored as Rockland County Fireman of the Year. His fellow firefighters said it best. “If I'm in trouble, Tony is who I want beside me. No matter what, he had your back.” He never needed a reason to help someone. Once, after pulling a dog from a burning building, he gave it mouth to mouth until it came around. He did what he thought was right. That was Tony. And as he always said, “It is what it is.”

Endlessly curious and remarkably capable, there was almost nothing he couldn’t do with his hands. Whether it was electrical work, plumbing, carpentry, or sheetrock, he did it all. The members of Volunteer Hose are extremely grateful that Tony lent his construction abilities to many projects which are visible today around his firehouse. Tony was a quiet, impactful, generous soul with a witty sense of humor, the members will certainly miss our brother.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday June 3rd from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at T.J. McGowan Sons Funeral Home, Central Hwy in Garnerville, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 4 at 10 AM at St. Peter and St. Mary's Church, 115 Broadway, Haverstraw, New York.

WEST HAVERSTRAW FIRE DEPARTMENT “PRESS RELEASE”On Friday May 22, at 2:34am, less than one hour after re...
05/22/2026

WEST HAVERSTRAW
FIRE DEPARTMENT

“PRESS RELEASE”

On Friday May 22, at 2:34am, less than one hour after responding to another call in the village, the WHFD responded to an automatic fire alarm activation at Stack Street Coffee, 55 West Railroad Ave. (The Garnerville Industrial Arts Complex).

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a smoke condition and further investigation revealed an active rubbish fire extending into the cockloft (the area between the ceiling and the roof). Members immediately stretched lines to the interior top floor and additional members coordinated roof ventilation.

WHFD Chief Mulero, the on scene incident commander, noted “the members operated swiftly, we’ve been here before no less than 15 times for fire alarm activations, and the members were prepared upon arrival. Cockloft fires can run on you pretty fast, but the members worked quickly to stop it from taking off.”

Approximately 75 firefighters fought this fire for approximately 2 hours. One firefighter was treated by EMS for exhaustion at the scene, no other injuries were reported. The fire is under investigation by the RC Sheriffs’ BCI Arson Investigation Unit as is standard when the cause is unknown.

The Garnerville Terminal is a 14 acre industrial complex built in the 1800’s, consisting of multiple buildings, some connected and some independent, housing over 50 mixed use businesses.

The WHFD thanks the following departments who provided mutual aid either to the scene, or stood by, the Haverstraw, Thiells, Stony Point, Hillcrest, Central Nyack and Suffern fire departments. The RC fire coordinators, the Haverstraw Ambulance Corps. Rockland Paramedic Services, and the Town of Haverstraw PD.

Photo Credit: Ken Connolly, Ex-Chief, TFD

05/06/2026

Please Note,

This is the official page of the West Haverstraw Fire Department. We utilize this resource to keep our community informed regarding issues as they pertain to the fire department.
We do not comment regarding investigations, nor speculate publicly as to cause or origin of fires that are under investigation by law enforcement agencies.

Should you have any information that may assist a law enforcement agency in their investigation, we encourage you to contact the Town of Haverstraw Police Department to report your information at 845-354-1500 as they work in conjunction with all investigating agencies.

Comments of an inflammatory or derogatory nature will be removed from our posts, so we ask you respectfully refrain from posting such comments on this page.

Thank you,

The Office of The Chief, WHFD

05/05/2026

"West Haverstraw Fire Department - Press Release"

On Sunday May 3rd, at 11:21pm, the West Haverstraw Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire at 29 Samsondale Ave. Upon arrival, members encountered a fully involved commercial building.

WHFD Chief Jose Mulero, the incident commander, stated “We had heavy fire throughout the structure upon arrival and the members went to work fighting this fire from multiple vantage points. We knew we were working with an already unstable structure since this building, which has been abandoned for over 20 years, had partially collapsed into itself over time. The building was fenced in years ago due to the hazard it created with the multiple sections of collapsed roof and interior walls, prior to this fire. Additional interior and exterior walls also collapsed while members worked to extinguish this fire.”

Approximately 100 firefighters operated at this fire for just over 9 hours. The CSX rail line, whose trains run in close proximity to this building’s east side, was temporarily halted so firefighters could establish, and work from, the building’s entire perimeter.

Chief Mulero stated, “I want to thank my members, and our mutual aid members from the Stony Point, Haverstraw, Thiells, Hillcrest, West Nyack, Valley Cottage, Monsey, New City, & Congers fire departments, and the fire coordinators from the Rockland County Office of Fire & Emergency Services for their assistance, the Haverstraw, Stony Point, and Spring Hill Ambulance Corps. The Town of Haverstraw Police Department’s drone unit who worked in conjunction with the WHFD’s drone unit to provide aerial overviews of the fire to aid in tactical decisions.”

No firefighters or civilians were injured while operating at this alarm. The Rockland County Sheriffs Department’s Arson Investigation Unit is working in conjunction with the HTPD Detective Unit, in conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire, which remains unknown at this time.

Changing of the Guard....This week marks a biennial tradition in the West Haverstraw Fire Department as Chief Rafael Bri...
04/12/2026

Changing of the Guard....

This week marks a biennial tradition in the West Haverstraw Fire Department as Chief Rafael Brito completes his two year term as Chief of our Department. Chief Brito joined the WHFD as a member of the SW Johnson SFE Co No 1 company in 2006, and feeling he wanted to do more, was elected to the position of second lieutenant, and eventually rising through the ranks of first lieutenant, captain and that of Chief.

Rafael has continued our tradition of advancing this department forward by securing equipment, apparatus, and most important, training of our members over his tenure. A highlight of his accomplishments under his watch was the formation of the North Rockland Emergency Rail Organization Task Force which has played a critical role in preparing our members' response to a rail incident/accident.

We thank Chief Brito for his leadership and are happy to announce he will be continuing to serve our department, and community, in the capacity of Fire Warden as a sitting member of the WHFD board continuing to guide the WHFD forward.

The WHFD welcomes its new leadership under Chief Jose Mulero, first assistant Chief Michael Fenner, and the newly elected second assistant Chief David Holdampf. All 3 of these Chiefs bring a range of their own experience and together will lead the WHFD for the next two years. More to come....

Now that the storm has passed, we ask, if it is safe for you to do so, shovel a 3 foot path around fire hydrants in the ...
02/24/2026

Now that the storm has passed, we ask, if it is safe for you to do so, shovel a 3 foot path around fire hydrants in the village.

If a hydrant is buried in snow, that delays our ability to secure a needed water supply in the event of a fire.

We heard the kids are off from school tomorrow, maybe they can help shovel around the hydrants with adult supervision. Of course, your volunteer WHFD members will also be around to shovel out hydrants when we get home from work tomorrow evening as well.

As always, we thank you for your assistance and support.

If you would like to volunteer in your community, just stop by either firehouse located at 30 East Railroad Ave. or 37 Bridge St. for an application.

02/22/2026

As the predicted storm is upon us, the WHFD reminds our neighbors to take the following actions to help stay safe.

Please stay off the roads by avoiding any unnecessary travel. Your West Haverstraw FD is an ALL VOLUNTEER fire department, however, these men and women will be traveling in the storm to respond to emergencies, less traffic during this storm will allow our members to respond to your emergency more efficiently.

In the event of a downed power line, stay far away from the line(s) and let the trained professionals from Orange & Rockland repair the line(s).

Do NOT use your oven to heat your home.

If you need to use a space heater, be sure there are no items within 3 feet of the space heater.

Should you lose power and use candles for light, Do NOT leave the candles unattended, nor within reach of children.

If you use a fireplace, be sure your flu is open when in use, and your chimney has been cleaned.

Be sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and working properly.

Should you have a fire, gas, electrical, etc. emergency in your home, evacuate the home, dial 911 and report your emergency.

Stay safe and your WHFD is always here for you in any emergency.

Now that the worst of the storm is over, the next round of danger is setting in, the deep freeze. The temperatures are n...
01/26/2026

Now that the worst of the storm is over, the next round of danger is setting in, the deep freeze.

The temperatures are not supposed to break freezing for a week, this means the snow is NOT melting and the FIRE HYDRANTS in West Haverstraw will remain buried until someone shovels them out.

Our members are asking for your help, IF SAFE, and possible, please shovel the 3 foot area around the hydrant on your street.

We will get out as soon as possible to clear hydrants as well, however, many of our members are at work themselves.

A snow cleared hydrant will help us save time, and could help save lives, during a fire.

Thank you, and if you would like to volunteer at the WHFD, please stop by either the Bridge St. or Railroad Ave. firehouse for an application.

-The Office of the Chief, WHFD

The West Haverstraw FD is asking for your help. This weekend's storm will add many challenges. If you have a Fire Hydran...
01/23/2026

The West Haverstraw FD is asking for your help. This weekend's storm will add many challenges. If you have a Fire Hydrant on your property, when, and IF it is safe for you to do so, we kindly ask you to shovel out and around that fire hydrant.

During fires, seconds count, while we will have shovels on our rigs to dig out a hydrant if needed, this could take away critical seconds or minutes from us getting hydrant water supply for our operating firefighters.

Please remember, space heaters can be VERY dangerous, be sure there is nothing flammable within 3 feet of any space heater should you choose to use one, and NEVER leave it unattended.

NEVER use your oven or stove as a source for heat.

Be sure to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors today and tomorrow, please do not wait until Sundays' storm to find out they do not work. Change the batteries or the detectors as needed.

DO NOT OVER work your body when removing snow, move at a slow-pace and spread the work out over time.

Lastly, please stay off the roads during the storm and allow your local DPW to clear the streets.

Stay Safe and if you have a fire or fire related emergency, dial 911.

-The Office of the Chief, WHFD

It's official, Chief Brito received a call from the North Pole asking the West Haverstraw Fire Department to es**rt Sant...
12/05/2025

It's official, Chief Brito received a call from the North Pole asking the West Haverstraw Fire Department to es**rt Santa Claus around the Village of West Haverstraw on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2025.

Be sure to listen out for the sirens in your neighborhood, and come out to give Santa and his elves a big wave..

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35 Firemen's Memorial Dr
Pomona, NY
10970

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