From Whence He Came: The General
One of the enduring legacies of the General Warren Emergency Company #2 is the statue of General Joseph Warren. The General, a three foot high painted plaster likeness of the great man, has occupied its place in the company history and quarters for time immemorial. The origins of the General are unknown, and his being will be forever a mystery.
In the mid 1930’s, an argument was made that the General was the only member that responded from all 3 firehouses. That argument, made by a former Chief and President who himself responded from 2 of the 3, is the most information the company has on the statue. Through the late 50’s, Smokey led the salute to the General at all company functions.
Always front and center on meeting night, the General was often stolen from his home in the meeting room and hidden away by rival companies. This often happened around Convention time and in 1954, his kidnapping and subsequent ransom was front page news in the Times. He went missing for nearly 6 months.
Brother Gordon is seen here caught flipping the bird at the kidnappers, who returned him just in time for his Birthday Party, the Centennial Dinner of the Company in Bear Mountain. Needless to say, he was returned that night safe and sound and all were able to sing happy birthday and raise a toast in his memory, in the normal course of business.
Real traditions never fade, and the General survives today. He was repaired in the late 1970’s under the watchful eye of former Captain Frank McKiernan. The rehab included a new sword, which was hand-made, and a complete paint job. The General now lives in a box that protects him from the elements.
Ex-Chief Jack Ginnity led the company in its salute to the General for many years. To hear Jack sing Happy Birthday up at the Lodge was classic, and the tradition stands. In recent years, the company has used a graven image of the General for certain events where travel is an issue, but he still comes out for all special occasions.
Annual Meeting 2025
The General Warren Emergency Co.#2 Officers and Delegates for 2025.
Line Officers
- Captain Jim Luong
- Lieutenant Christian Asamoah
House Officers
- President Peter Rugg
- Vice President Jim Loung
- Secretary David Rugg
- Treasurer Frank ‘Bud’ Wassmer Jr.
- Finance Secretary Andy Connors
- Steward J Bart Gordon
Department Officers
- Warden Andrew Connors
- Warden J Bart Gordon
- LOSAP Secretary Mike Young
Delegates to the Chiefs Convention
- Ex-Chief Frank ‘Bud’ Wassmer 1988-1990
- Ex-Chief Andrew Connors 1998-2000
- Ex-Chief Peter Rugg 2008-2010
Chief of the Haverstraw Fire Department
- Gary Nash 1st Assistant Chief
The Flashlight and Iodine Truck
1936 SEAGRAVE RESCUE AND SALVAGE TRUCK
The 1936 Seagrave was the second motorized apparatus purchased for General Warren. This truck was designed to carry lighting, salvage equipment, and in a new development, tools for industrial accidents and automobile extrication. With war clouds on the horizon, and before the advent of the ambulance corps, many departments began equipping fire trucks with first aid and rescue equipment. This was the ‘cutting edge’ technology of its day. The flashlight and iodine truck would also respond with accident victims directly to Nyack Hospital when the need arose.
Below is the initial proposal for the 36 Seagrave. As you can see, the truck was spec’d out with a ‘Northern Booster Pump’, 150 feet of 3/4″ hose, and a 100 gallon tank. The pump was dropped in the final build. The 36 Seagrave is the design basis for all of our trucks since.
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At the meeting held on February 2nd, 1937, the company moniker again was changed from General Warren Hose Co.#2 to General Warren Emergency Company #2, a reflection of its mission, and we remain so today.
The 36 Seagrave was last seen sitting in Jurgensens Machine Shop on West Street.