KINGSTON DAILY FREEMAN
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
ROSENDALE, N.Y. — An 81-year-old woman described as an avid swimmer died at HealthAlliance Hospital after being rescued from Williams Lake in what authorities called a “water emergency,” Rosendale police said Friday.
At about 4:48 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, state and local police and the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office responded after being called to a water emergency at the lake. The swimmer, Carol Smith of New York City, was about 30 feet from shore when she went under while swimming and didn’t resurface, the local friends she was visiting told authorities.
Rosendale Police Officer Erich Funccius, state Trooper Ben Strickland and Bloomington Fire lieutenants Joseph Hafner III and John Lane immediately entered the water and began a rescue search, while additional units responded to the scene, police said.
Smith was found about 30 feet from the shore in deep water and was brought to shore where cardiopulmonary resuscitation was administered by members of the police agencies, Bloomington firefighters and Mobile Life paramedics, police said.
ROSENDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE
On August 18, 2022 at approximately 4:48 p.m. the Rosendale Police Department, Ulster County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police were dispatched to Williams Lake, in the Town of Rosendale for a water emergency. Upon arrival, the responding units found that Ms. Carol Smith, from New York City had been visiting friends locally and had gone underwater while swimming and not resurfaced.
Rosendale Police Officer Erich Funccius, NYSP Trooper Ben Strickland, and Bloomington Fire Lieutenants Joseph Hafner III, and John Lane immediately entered the water and began a rescue search, while additional resources were responding to the scene. Ms, Smith, age 81 and an avid swimmer was located approximately 30 feet away from shore in deep water and was rescued by the rescue team. She was brought as shore and CPR began with members of each police agency and the Bloomington Fire Department assisting Mobile Life in the rescue effort. A pulse and heart rhythm returned and Ms. Smith was transported to the Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley, Kingston campus hospital.
It is with the deepest regret and sympathies that we learned that Ms. Carol Smith passed away during the night.
The Rosendale Police Department would like to thank all members of their agency, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Bloomington Fire Department and Mobile Life who worked together in the life saving effor
Total Runs - 288
Top 10 Responders
Firefighter Joe Hafner Sr. 233
Chief Joe Hafner Jr. 203
Asst. Chief Ernie Navarra 185
Lt. Ray Stegner 183
Past Chief Kevin Keller 143
Asst. Chief Mike Schabot 132
Lt. John Lane 123
Firefighter Josh Hintz 119
Capt. Brian Phillips 105
Firefighter Billy Lyons 95
Chief : Joe Hafner Jr.
Asst. Chief: Mike Schabot
Asst. Chief: Ernie Navarra
Asst. Chief: Will Stokes
Capt: Brian Phillips
Capt: Alan Brown
Lt: Douglas Tierney
Lt: John Lane
Lt: Joe Hafner III
Lt: Ray Stegner
Lt: Dan Wood
EMS Lt: Patty Vincent
Fire Police Capt: William Lyons
President: Mike Schabot
Vice President: Brian Phillips
Secretary: Joe Hafner Sr.
Treasurer: Kevin Keller
Directors: Fred Harries
Alan Brown
Will Stokes
Bryan Brainard
Joe Stokes
Chaplain: Rev. Nick Miles
Chief: Joe Hafner Jr.
Members should be reminded that invitations to our annual dinner will be given out based on participation at department calls, training, meetings and activities in an attempt to keep the cost of this event down.
The Bloomington Fire Department takes great pride in trying to operate within a budget that we feel provides the residents of the fire district with the best protection for the lowest cost to our community. During the course of each year we run several fund raisers which supplement our budget and help us get through the year. In the event that anyone would like to make a donation to us, or in memory of a friend or loved one, please feel free to mail your donation to: Bloomington Fire Department, PO Box 111, Bloomington, NY 12411.
All members are urged to use the I AM RESPONDING PROGRAM to notify the department that they are on their way to calls.
President Deb Tierney
Vice President Rita Schabot
Secretary Lori Woolsey
Treasurer Sue Peck
We mourn the passing of Life Member Richard "Dick" Keller, Father of Commissioner, Past Chief and Past President Kevin Keller. Visitation will take place at the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home, 27 Smith Ave., Kingston, NY, Thursday December 22, 2022, between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Funeral Services will take place Friday, December 23, 2022, at 12:00 pm at St. Joseph's Church, Wall St., Kingston, NY., with interment to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery, Kingston, NY. All members are requested to be at the Bloomington Station at 5:00 pm, Thursday, December 22, 2022, in uniform or appropriate attire then proceed to the Leahy Funeral Home to pay last respects.
All members should be aware that effective January 2017 there are new requirements to maintain an active membership classification. All members are required to attend at least three (3) regular general business meetings, (If you cannot make a meeting contact the President prior to the meeting), attend all mandatory training and respond to at least ten (10) percent of the yearly alarms. One who does not meet these minimum requirements will be reclassified as INACTIVE. Once reclassified as INACTIVE the member will be required to return all department issued equipment to their respective stations and will not be permitted to respond to alarms or have a vote at any meetings. The INACTIVE classification will be in effect for a minimum period of three (3) months and the INACTIVE member may request to be returned to an ACTIVE classification by a written request to the department after the 3 month period has been completed.
We mourn the loss of June Woolsey-Crispell, Mother of Life Member Randy Woolsey and Mother-in-Law of Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners and Ladies Auxiliary member Lori Woolsey. Calling hours will be at Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home, 27 Smith Ave., Kingston, NY Wednesday, February 22, 2023, between 5:00pm and 8:00pm. All members are requested to report to the Bloomington Station on Wednesday at 6:00pm in full dress uniform or appropriate attire then proceed to the Leahy Funeral Home to pay last respects. Funeral services will be held 11:00am on Thursday with the Rev. Nick Miles officiating.
We mourn the loss of Ethel Marie Navarra, 91, mother of Asst. Chief Ernie Navarra. All members are to meet at the Bloomington station 6:00pm, Friday, November 25, 2022, in full dress uniform or appropriate attire then proceed to the George Moylan Funeral Home to pay last respects. Calling hours are 3-7pm 11/25/22, funeral services will begin 9:15am at the funeral home with mass at St. Peter's, Rosendale, NY at 10;00am 11/26/22.
The Bloomington Fire Department is a 100% Volunteer Organization. As times have changed, as with most Volunteer Fire Departments our membership has dwindled. We are always in need of new members. If you would like to join us or just stop by and see if you would be interested in joining, we are at the station every Thursday evening at 7:00PM. Feel free to stop by or call us at 845-338-2794, leave a message and we will get back with you.
On July 29, 2023, Members of the Bloomington Fire Department and the Ladies Auxiliary participated in the Ulster County Volunteer Firemen's Association Convention Parade in Wallkill, NY. The Bloomington Firefighters received a 3rd Place Trophy for Best Appearing in Bloused Uniform with 15 & under in the line of march. The Bloomington Ladies Auxiliary received a 1st Place Trophy for Best Appearing Ladies Auxiliary with 15 and under in the line of march.
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