05/02/2026
During this National Fallen Firefighters Weekend, we come together not only to remember, but to truly feel the weight of the sacrifice made by Firefighter Thomas M. Ringlehan.
On June 11, 1973, members of Storm King Engine Company No. 2 answered a mutual aid request for a structure fire in West Point. When their 1965 Mack CF engine failed to start, they were forced to respond in a 1958 Mack Model B pumper. It was an older apparatus, from a time before many of today’s safety standards existed. Firefighters rode the tailboard, exposed, because that is what the job required in that era.
While traveling along Route 218, a commercial vehicle in the opposite lane struck the apparatus. In an instant, everything changed. Firefighter Ringlehan was critically injured in the line of duty.
He was rushed to a local hospital, where he fought for his life, but tragically succumbed to his injuries the following day, June 12, 1973.
He answered the call. He showed up for his community. He gave everything in return.
Today, we remember not just how he died, but how he lived, with courage, selflessness, and an unwavering commitment to protecting others. His sacrifice stands as a solemn reminder of the risks firefighters continue to face every single day.
We are now confronting a similar challenge: aging and outdated equipment. Recognizing this, the Village Board and the Fire Department commissioned a fleet evaluation study. Completed in the spring of 2023, the study outlined the need to modernize our apparatus, reduce the number of units, and improve safety and reliability, while also easing the financial burden on the community. The Board and Fire Department leadership continue to work collaboratively to implement these solutions.
In honoring his memory, we must also honor the lessons his loss left behind. Adhering to modern fire service safety standards, maintaining reliable apparatus, and ensuring the protection of our members is not optional; it is essential. It is how we give every firefighter who answers the call the best possible chance to return home to their families, their neighbors, and to continue proudly serving the residents of the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson.
We will never forget Firefighter Thomas M. Ringlehan.