50 years of service — each

CALEDONIA, NY — Volunteer service is the cornerstone of any community and deserves commendation. On Oct. 25, two Caledonia Fire Department firefighters with more than 100 years of total service between them were honored for their dedication and service to protecting their community.

Jack Southcombe and James “Larry” Bishop received the Firefighter Fifty Year Active Duty Service Award at banquet held in their honor at J.W. Jones Hall in Caledonia.

Chief Anthony DeMarco, Jr., a 32–year veteran himself, describes the men as two opposite kind of volunteers, contributing their strengths in very different ways and who have played very important roles in the fire department.

Southcombe joined the department’s Hook and Ladder Company in 1958 while still in high school.  He completed uncounted hours of training including essentials of firemanship, numerous drills, seminars and training classes for the fire department, fire police and civil defense.

In the late 1960s Southcombe joined the fire police and completed the state mandated training at Montour Falls Fire Academy several times in his 50-year career.  He served as a first and second lieutenant for the fire police and was captain for eight years.

He worked with the committee that started the widely recognized Babysitters Course 44 years ago and has served for many years on the Building Operations Committee of J.W. Jones Hall, the fire department’s recreation, training, bingo and banquet facility located on Route 36 in Caledonia.

Joining the Hook and Ladder Company just one year after Southcombe, Bishop started his longstanding and devoted active membership in 1959.  Over the years Bishop has given of his time and talents to the fire department, serving as vice-president and president of the Hook and Ladder Company, a member of the benevolent, by-laws, carnival, marchers, and football banquet committees.

He also was a member of the legislative committee for the Livingston County Volunteer Firefighters Association.

Bishop’s undergone a long list of firematics training including essentials of firemanship, officers training, structural fire attack for officers, Hurst tool and extrication training, radio procedures and fire truck pump operators course.
Bishop also served as a trained EMS volunteer and was an instructor on many topics for the fire department.

Doris Bishop stood alongside her husband and was also recognized for 50 years of service to the Ladies Auxiliary.50 years of service.

See complete story in our Nov. 5 print edition.