POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess County Professional Firefighters Association teamed up with law enforcement agencies to deliver an uplifting message along with bottled water and sports drinks to the staff at two Poughkeepsie hospitals Thursday night.
Arlington professional firefighter Chris Rinck was instrumental in bringing the career firefighters from Arlington, Beacon, LaGrange, Fairview, and the City of Poughkeepsie together for the event that started at Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital (MHRH). The fire departments were joined by members of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office as well as the Town and City of Poughkeepsie Police Departments, including bagpipes. “The Dutchess County Professional Fire Fighters are a group of men and women who wanted to recognize the healthcare workers at our area hospitals for their dedication during these unprecedented times,” said Rinck, adding “We stand in solidarity with healthcare staff. We recognize the sacrifice, determination, and grit it takes to keep showing up to fight COVID. We feel grateful to stand alongside you.”
Each department used their own funds to purchase water and Gatorade for the hospital workers and delivered the supplies in a large parade of police cars, fire engines, and fire trucks. Bagpipers from the Orange County Firefighters Pipes & Drums teamed with fellow pipers from the Hudson Valley Regional Police Pipes & Drums to provide a serenade to hospital staff gathered in front of the hospitals.
City of Poughkeepsie PBA President Kevin VanWagner purchased cases of beverages for the delivery on behalf of his members Thursday morning. “Our officers are out on the front lines every day and we fully understand the dedication needed during this crisis. We also realize the risks that hospital workers face by being in such close contact with the virus. This small gesture is the least we can do to help our friends in healthcare.” Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office PBA president Ryan Griffin said “I am still getting calls and texts from the hospital staff as a result of the event – it’s a great feeling.”
The first event took place at MHRH at 6:30 PM. The Fairview Fire Department led the procession because the hospital is in their district. The quickly assembled parade then rolled south through the city with Poughkeepsie firefighters and police leading the group into Vassar Brothers Medical Center (VBMC) and were received by a throng of hospital workers gathered outside of the main entrance. With sirens wailing, the rigs rolled up and stopped to unload more cases of water and sports drinks while the bagpipers played for the audience. As had occurred at MHRH, Poughkeepsie police officers unfurled a banner, directed at the hospital staff, with the words “THANK YOU” written on it.
When the supplies were offloaded, the firefighters and police officers returned to their vehicles and drove off with the sounds of appreciative applause coming from the healthcare workers.
Tim Massie of VBMC said of the event “We are so grateful for the many expressions of support from the communities we proudly serve. The salute by first responders was extra-special, since they are often alongside us on the front line of health and safety. We applaud them as much as they applaud us. Our message to them and to everyone is: Together, we will get through this. Let’s make that our promise to one another.”
First responders were captured on video as they arrived at MHRH to show their support for hospital staffers.
https://www.facebook.com/jmiguel.rodrigues/videos/10217140243606453/?t=2
Healthcare workers were also thanked for their service at Orange Regional Medical Center in the Town of Wallkill (Facebook video)
