The MFD Ladies Auxillary

The Mechanicville Fire Department Auxillary became a reality with the help of fireman Emerson Boucher who first approached the fire department on November 10, 1955. He suggested the formation of an auxiliary. This was followed in December at the 71st Annual Meeting of the department with a move by department treasurer, Louis Kurs, requesting that two wives from each of the fire companies meet with the idea of forming an auxiliary. They met on January 12, 1956 and formed an organization committee consisting of Rose Burgoyne, Betty Dugan, Angela Dugan, Grace Witkop, Julie Jones, Joanne Boucher and Jerry Blowers. Out of this grew the first auxillary with Joan Boucher as president, Betty Dugan, vice president, Mary Simmons, treasurer, Julia Jones, secretary and Ethel DeVoe, chaplain. Sixty-two members formed the charter group.

Throughout the years the Ladies Auxillary has provided a service to the fire department that is unmatched by many. In times of poor weather and poor timing, if the fireman were out fighting the fire, the Auxillary was always there to make sure that they were refreshed with warm meals and drinks. It is the dedication of those wives, daughters, mothers, and friends that proves that the bond of the firefighting force goes well beyond what the community sees on the fireground.

-The Mechanicville Fire Department would like to extend its appreciation to the work of John H. Maloney and Hal Sheehan regarding the history of the department.