MONTGOMERY – Just days after the 108th Annual Convention of the Orange County Volunteer Firemen’s Association parade was canceled, the association has announced that the convention will take place. The parade, with 36 fire departments scheduled to participate, was canceled after alleged financial improprieties at the Washington Heights Fire Company were reported to the police.
Gordon Healy a member of the Washington Heights Fire Company resigned from his position as president of the Orange County Volunteer Firemen’s Association after the alleged embezzlement at his firehouse came to light. The association is operating with First Vice President Helena Grunwald at the helm, assisted by a group of former association presidents. On Wednesday the association announced a condensed series of convention events that will take place at the Montgomery Fire Department Pavilion on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 7 p.m.
The evening will begin with a memorial service honoring the members who passed away in the last year. After the service, the annual convention will take place for the purpose of electing new officers and honoring the 2023 Honor Award recipients. Two individuals will be recognized as Firefighter of the Year and four will be recognized as 2023 Stephen Vitek Award honorees.
In the convention announcement, the executive board acknowledged the parade issue, saying, “We would like to thank the Past Presidents as well as the departments that have reached out to support the executive board during these times.”
