Officials continue to wait for a full report on the status of the alarm system and cause of the fire that destroyed an assisted living facility in Spring Valley last week that killed one resident and a volunteer firefighter. At a press conference Friday, Chief Ken Conjura of the Columbian Fire Engine Company No. 1 in Spring Valley said the fire alarm system at the Evergreen Court Home for Adults was set to “test” though he could not explain why. Chief Conjura said despite the danger, his volunteers did their job as they were trained to do…
Published reports have speculated the system was shut off during Passover cleaning earlier that night, but the owners of the facility have said the alarms were working. On Friday’s “Who Wants to be a Volunteer” program, Rockland County Director of Fire and Emergency Services Chris Kear said he was concerned about the mental well-being of all the first responders involved…
Kear said the overwhelming support from the community has been helpful to everyone involved. In a ceremony Friday afternoon, Spring Valley Mayor Alan Simon and Legislator Toney Earl thanked first responders for their efforts and bravery. Meanwhile a GoFundMe page set up for the family of fallen firefighter Jared Lloyd, a 15-year veteran of the Spring Valley’s Columbians Fire Engine Co. No. 1, has crossed the half-million dollar mark, it’s currently at $546,272 since it launched Wednesday evening. A funeral service will be held at Palisades Credit Union Park in Pomona at 11AM Saturday morning.