The Gallupville Fire Department (GFD) closed out an exceptionally busy start to 2026 with its annual member banquet on the frigid final evening of January. Members arrived, along with some spouses, representatives from the mutual aid departments in Berne and Central Bridge, and dispatch center members. Attendees enjoyed their meals and chatted amongst themselves before Chief Mike Boomhower gave his annual speech, thanking the volunteers and their families for their dedication, followed by the swearing-in of the department’s officers and awards for years of service ranging from one to fifty-one. 

January was the Gallupville Fire Department’s busiest year in its history, responding to twenty-three emergency calls, with the first coming in shortly after the clock chimed midnight on New Year’s Eve, with 2025 barely in the rearview mirror. “Our members are the best in the business, working full-time jobs, juggling family responsibilities and still responding to all of these calls,” says a post on the GFD’s Facebook page. “With all of these calls, please remember we are always in search of new members.” In addition to responding to emergencies, volunteers in the GFD host community breakfasts, summer movie nights, and more. On February 14th, the GFD will host its 2nd annual Valentine’s Day dinner. Reservations are required; visit the GFD Facebook page or wrightfiredistrict.org for more. Anyone interested in joining the busy GFD can stop by on any Monday night between 7 and 9pm.