More than two dozen fire departments from the area joined the Middletown Fire Department Inspection Parade on Oct. 7 to celebrate the traditions of firefighting.
It was the 160th such parade organized by the Middletown Fire Department, which used to be an annual event but was changed in 2017 to take place every three years.
Rain ruled most of the day, but it paused just in time for the mid-afternoon parade and immediately resumed after the last engine reached the end of the route.
“This just goes to show you that it wouldn’t dare rain in the middle of the parade,” Middletown Councilman Gerald Kleiner told The Epoch Times. “Oh, that’s the most amazing thing.”
City officials and area fire administrators led the parade, followed by marching bands and firefighters from different fire departments, including Washington Heights, Circleville, and Dikeman.
Engine after engine rolled down Highland Avenue before turning onto North Street and then Wickham Avenue until they reached the parade destination, Thrall Park.
The Middletown High School football team, who just won an annual match against Port Jervis in September, also joined the parade with their trophy, Erie Bell.
“I just appreciate all their efforts on behalf of the residents of our city and our communities,” Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano told The Epoch Times. “It is a fun day. People are having a good time and just enjoy the music and the marching bands.”
David Madden, a longtime local resident and a teacher at Monroe-Woodbury Central School District, said he came out for the parade to support local firefighters.
“The firemen in the community give back to us so much,” he told The Epoch Times. “Coming out and supporting them on their day is the least we could do for them.”
Tracy Racine, a volunteer firefighter with the Middletown Fire Department for more than 40 years, came out to watch the parade and waved to his own engine when it passed by.
“The parade has been going on for as long as I can remember,” he told The Epoch Times, adding that it was a lot bigger in the past when more people in the community were involved in volunteer firefighting.
Another local resident, Sarah Torres, came to the parade with her two sons, who enjoyed the trucks, engines, and inspiring festivity.
“I just wish it could be done more often,” she told The Epoch Times.
Middletown Fire Chief Nick Barber told The Epoch Times that one reason why the parade was changed to happen every three years was to drive up turnout.
“When it was every year, it kind of played out like, ‘If I don’t make it this year, I will go next year,’” he said. “We tried to spread out to get more people out here.”
The department operates on a hybrid model of paid and volunteer firefighters, with 24 career firefighters, one career fire inspector, and between 50 and 60 volunteer firefighters.
Most other departments in Orange County are run by an all-volunteer force, with the Newburgh Fire Department operating on a paid model.
This rare hybrid model helps ensure fast responses while saving taxpayer money, according to Mr. Destefano.
