History of Cohoes
In 1848, Cohoes was incorporated as a village. In 1869 it was chartered as a city. The City of Cohoes is located 5 miles north of Albany, the Capital of New York State. Cohoes sits on the both the Mohawk and Hudson River. Cohoes is 3.7 square miles of land. Cohoes is also known as the "Spindle City" because of the rich history of textiles manufactured in the city in the early part of the 1800's. Cohoes is the home to the "Cohoes Falls" which is the the 2nd Largest drop in North America behind Niagara Falls.
Cohoes is also known for the Van Schaicks. The Van Schaick Mansion on Van Schaick Island was built in the 1730s; it was one of the sites used as a military headquarters during the Revolution War and used as New York's State Capitol by Gov. Clinton in 1977
Both the Erie and Champagne Canals use to run through Cohoes, construction finished in 1823.
In 1866, during excavation work for construction of Mill #3 of the Harmony Mills, the bones of a mastadon were unearthed over a period of several weeks. The Mastadon bones are located at the NYS Museum.
History of Cohoes Fire Department
The Cohoes Fire Dept was formed back in 1848 after the Village incorporated. Cohoes FD is one of the oldest fire departments in the country.
The department consists of 34 Members which include, 1 Fire Chief, 4 Captains, 4 Lieutenants and 25 Fire Fighters.
Check back for more History
Chief of Department & Platoons Info
Chief Joseph Fahd
Chief Joseph Fahd has over 50 years of fire service experience. Chief Fahd has been Chief of the Department since 2003.
Chief Fahd's career started in 1966 with the City Of Albany. In 1974 Chief was promoted to the Rank of Lieutenant, Captain in 1982 and Deputy Chief in 1994. Chief Fahd retired from the Albany Fire Department in 2002 with 35 years of dedicated service.
Chief Fahd obtained his Associates Degree in Fire Science from Corning Community College, as well as graduating from the National Fire Academy in Emmetsburg, Maryland completing the Executive Fire Officer Program.
Chief Fahd has served in many capacities related to the Fire and EMS. Chief is a life member in the NYS Association of Fire Chiefs (NYSAFC) and served on both the EMS and Paid Officers committees. Fahd is a current member of the International Assoc of Fire Chiefs as President this year in 2019. Fahd is also served as past president in the NYSAFC.
Chief Fahd was recently appointed to the Governors Fire Advisory Board in the Office of Fire Prevention and Control. In 2012 Fahd was named Career Fire Chief of the Year by the NYSAFC. Fahd also serves as Deputy Chief as Albany County Fire Coordinator for the past 20 years.
Chief Fahd loves to spend spare time with his wife of 52 years and following his 3 Children, 5 Granddaughters and 2 Great Granddaughters through their life adventures.
1st Platoon
Captain Mark Dufresne
Lieutenant Brian Bullock
FF Pete Annely
FF Robert Wattsman Jr.
FF John Olszowy
FF John Brazill
FF Paul Neaton
FF *** Vacant
2nd Platoon
Captain John Marra
Lieutenant George Primeau Jr.
FF Daniel Fennell
FF Daniel Slaver
FF Kevin Carmel
FF Jeff Lonczak
FF Graig Hoffman
FF *** Vacant
3rd Platoon
Captain Jamie Hogan
Lieutenant Robert Johnson
FF Tom Fiffe
FF Paul Thouin
FF Herb Chapman
FF Tommy Durrant
FF Chris White
FF Ryan MacPherson
FF Josh Umholtz
4th Platoon
Captain Russ Coonradt
Lieutenant Nik Erikson
FF Glen Dame
FF Dan Rigney
FF Chris McKay
FF John Bonkoski
FF *** Vacant
FF *** Vacant
*** Vacancy - Due to Retirement