Tonneson 50-year member of Storm King Engine Co.
Charles Tonneson, 82, has been active with Storm King Engine Company for over 50 years. Last month he was honored by Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus and was among the recipients of the 2021 Meritorious Service Awards.
During his tenure, he held many administrative positions including vice president, trustee, recording secretary, and quartermaster. He has also served as lieutenant, captain, assistant chief, and in 1982 achieved the rank of chief.
Tonneson has been an active member of the Fire Service in Orange County and New York State, as a member of the Orange County Fire Advisory Board, a delegate for FASNY, and a member of the Orange County Fire Chiefs Association.
He has been involved in many other fire service organizations during his long service career.
“He’s not just been here for 50 years,” Assistant Chief Charles Quinn said. “He is one of our more active firefighters. He’s a reliable driver. He comes to drills. He helps train new members and teaches whenever he can. He’s an incredible member.”
Tonneson learned of the honor a week prior to receiving the award on Oct. 28.
“I was very honored and pleased,” he said. “I didn’t think I was really entitled to it. I was a little bit surprised someone put me in for it.”
Tonneson later learned it was his former chief, Eric Chatfield who submitted his name to receive the award two years ago, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony was delayed.
The long-time volunteer grew up in Fort Montgomery and graduated from Highland Falls High School. He moved to Cornwall-on-Hudson in 1968 and after a couple years decided to join the fire department to give back to his community and participate in the firematic activities. As kids, he and his brother were always at the firehouse with their father, participating in fund raising activities and working on the trucks.
“It’s inbred,” he said. “It comes with the family. My father and two brothers were past chiefs and very active in the Fort Montgomery Fire Department.”
Decades later, Tonneson and his siblings remain active volunteers. He cites genetics as the reason.
He still responds to about 100 calls a year and actively participates in weekly scheduled events, however he did have to scale back a bit and as of last year no longer serves as an interior firefighter. As long as he passes his annual physical, Tonneson will continue driving, pull and load hose, and anything else an exterior firefighter might do at a scene.
When the fire whistle sounds, Tonneson’s mind starts working immediately. Through the department’s alert system, he already knows what kind of scene he’s responding to, allowing him to think about what apparatus is needed, where the nearest hydrant is, if a rescue will be involved, and any other tasks to be done at the scene.
His most memorable fire is the blaze at 2 Mill Street.
“Because it was so large, there was not much we could do with it,” he said. “It just went from one building to the next no matter what we did.”
Tonneson recalls working the scene for 12 hours before being relieved.
Tonneson is also responsible for training the younger volunteers, a task he takes seriously.
“It’s very important to give them some past history. I’m open to their ideas to see what works best with our different firematic activities. It’s important to keep the department going. I’m there as an example – hang in there and keep going.”
To those thinking about volunteering, Tonneson said there’s a place for everyone, no matter their level or skill.
