Firefighter honored for 60 years of volunteer service

“He’s a really great guy to be around,” resounded last Sunday as over 50 guests arrived at the Apalachin Fire Station on Pennsylvania Avenue to celebrate a milestone anniversary of firefighter Ken Brinkman. About to turn 86 on Dec. 30 of this year, Brinkman was honored for his 60 years of service to the department.

And 60 years, most agreed, is a long time.

Department Chief Mike George, who presented several items to Brinkman last Sunday to commemorate this milestone anniversary, stated that when he joined the department 15 years ago Brinkman already had 45 years of service!

Brinkman is currently one of 82 volunteers with the department in Apalachin, and is certainly the longest running.

We caught up with Brinkman ahead of the ceremony last Sunday to talk to him about his volunteer service, and what it was that inspired him to join on Sept. 28, 1958, a little over 60 years ago.

According to Brinkman, during his time with the department he has served as Lieutenant, President of the Department, served on the Board of Commissioners and Board of Directors, and he is now serving as the Captain of the Fire Police – a position he has served on and off in for 15 years.

Brinkman also talked about the Apalachin Fireman’s Field Days that were held, at one time, at the field day grounds in Apalachin. According to Brinkman, he never missed a field day.

Reflecting back on things, Brinkman stated that he misses the annual event, which discontinued in 2016. Specifically, Brinkman was a familiar face at the beer tent, a volunteer position he held for over 50 years.

“Friday night was like a reunion,” said Brinkman of the field days. “I miss all of those people.” 

And despite the department’s decision to end the Apalachin Field Days, Brinkman continued with his volunteerism, filling that time doing something else.

The Binghamton native made McFall Road his home in Apalachin until the flooding in 2011 destroyed it. Now, he resides on Meadow Lane with his wife, Joann.

Brinkman has been around long enough to see the station on Pennsylvania Avenue transform from its earlier days. He noted that the station was, at one time, a school, and then they turned it into a fire station. 

More recently, the station was torn down and replaced with a 10,000-square foot facility, built in the same location. 

Ironically when Brinkman celebrated 50 years of volunteer service we stood in that same spot, but this year we were standing in the new building where a humble, Brinkman stood, waiting to answer the call.

When Brinkman joined the department, on Sept. 28, 1958, he did it to help protect his community. 

A retired master plumber, and member and instructor for Local 112 Plumbers and Steamfitters Union, Brinkman spent his time working, taking care of his family, and taking care of his community. 

Last Sunday, and during the celebration to honor his volunteer service, some of Brinkman’s co-workers from the plumbing industry were in attendance, as well as family members and members of the department. 

The Town of Owego and the Fire Commissioners also proclaimed last Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, Ken Brinkman Day, an honor to compliment his volunteer service. Other honors presented to Brinkman came from the County Legislature, and from the Office of Senator Fred Akshar.

Don Castellucci, who arrived to present a proclamation from the Town of Owego, echoed the sentiment around the room, that 60 years of volunteer service is a long time.

Don Ames, Chairman of the Board for the department, equated Brinkman’s longevity with the department to knowledge.

“His wealth of wisdom and undying dedication are to be honored,” Ames addressed to the guests that gathered, adding, “He is always willing to share his knowledge.”

Don Baumbach, who serves as Chaplain for the department, thanked Brinkman’s wife, Joann, during last Sunday’s ceremony. 

“If you think it’s tough being a fireman, try being a fireman’s wife,” said Baumbach. 

This was echoed by Fire Commissioner Brian Reiber, who stated, “The unsung heroes are the family behind.”

And it was evident last Sunday that Brinkman carried these same ethics into his job. Emerson Fisk from Great Bend, Pa., who worked with Brinkman for over 50 years, attended last Sunday’s ceremony and celebration.

“I think he’s the greatest,” said Fisk of Brinkman.

Joe Opper, a volunteer firefighter for the Apalachin department, has been following Brinkman’s example for seven years now. Opper attended last Sunday’s ceremony in his honor.

“That’s unbelievable,” said Opper of Brinkman’s years of volunteer service. “Since I joined,” he added, “he responds a lot and puts passion into his work. He’s a really great guy to be around.”

Five-year member Ben Morales echoed these sentiments, stating, “He’s a good guy.”

Chief Mike George summed things up, agreeing with Town Supervisor Don Castellucci that we all will be lucky if we live long enough to see that many years of volunteer service.

And in the meantime, the department has grown. According to George, there were 70 members in the department when Brinkman joined in 1958. Today, he added, there are 82. 

As for Brinkman, he has no intention of laying his equipment down – not now.

“If I was home, I answered the call,” said Brinkman of his volunteerism. 

He concluded, at the end of the ceremony, “I’ve worked with some great people over the years; people involved as volunteers.”