CAZENOVIA — On April 4, the Cazenovia Volunteer Fire Department recognized past fire Chief David Vredenburgh for his 50-plus years of dedicated service to the department.
Held at the firehouse at 121 Albany St. during the department’s annual meeting, the ceremony included representatives from Assemblyman Al Stirpe’s office, the Central New York Firemen’s Association, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, and the Madison County Volunteer Firemen’s Association. Each of the represented organizations presented Vredenburgh with a certificate of appreciation.
“Dave is an incredible public servant,” said Village of Cazenovia Mayor Kurt Wheeler. “For a person to devote a half-century to serving the community as a firefighter, a village trustee, and in countless other ways is truly an inspiration for all of us.”
Vredenburgh joined the Cazenovia Fire Department in 1972.
“l moved to Cazenovia in 1967 and at one point lived on Fenner Street,” Vredenburgh said. “Orville Clark, who lived across the street, belonged to the fire department, and one day asked me if I wanted to join. I thought it was a good opportunity for me to get to know people in the village as well as [contribute] my time to a good cause.”
According to current Chief Sam Usborne, Vredenburgh was well received by the department members and went on to complete not only his recruit training but also numerous other fire and emergency medical services (EMS) training courses.
“His eagerness to learn and willingness to help out at every opportunity allowed him to rapidly acclimate into the community and be a positive and productive member of the fire department,” Usborne wrote in a letter inviting the above organizations to the ceremony.
Vredenburgh became rescue captain in the mid-seventies. He joined the fire officer ranks as second lieutenant in 1979, became first lieutenant in 1983, and served as captain until 1991. He was second assistant chief in 1991, first assistant chief in 1993, and was elected chief of the department in 1995.
“I think the most rewarding position I held was that of chief of department, 1995-1997, although just being a member and building friendships throughout the years and being able to help people in the community was and is a rewarding feeling,” said Vredenburgh.
In his letter, Usborne stated that Vredenburgh was awarded a certificate of appreciation from the New York State Police in 1992 for an extremely difficult rescue of a “despondent” woman at Chittenango Falls. In 1998, he was honored with the annual Chief’s Award, given each year at the department’s banquet, and in 2010, he was given the annual EMS award at the annual gathering.
Today, Vredenburgh remains active in the department, but much of his volunteer time is spent at the county level.
He has served Madison County as a state- and nationally-certified fire investigator since 1988, and as a deputy fire coordinator since 1998.
Outside of the fire service, Vredenburgh is a charter member of the Cazenovia Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps (CAVAC) and held the positions of director of operations for nine years and president for four years.
“I was an EMT/medic for 30 years, however, I ‘retired’ from CAVAC around 2008,” he said.
In reaction to the April 4 ceremony held in his honor, Vredenburgh said the recognition was unexpected and appreciated, but it is not what motivates him and others in the fire department to serve.
“That’s not what we do it for,” he said.
For more information on the Cazenovia Fire Department, visit the “Cazenovia Fire Department” Facebook page.
