It’s an honor that’s long overdue, but the man Piermont officials believe to have been the first line-of-duty death of a Rockland firefighter was honored yesterday, and a fundraiser was opened to help build a memorial in his honor. In 1854, 28 year-old Thomas Pomplin, known as “Pomp,” was one of the first black firefighters in Rockland, in Empire Hose Company #1 in Piermont. They were called to Nyack to help put out a massive factory fire. State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick says he and Rockland Assemblyman Mike Lawler are doing what they can to help the Piermont community give Pomplin a well-deserved hero’s recognition…
Pomplin died a few days later from heat exhaustion and other injuries. The Village of Piermont and the Piermont Fire Department are hoping to raise $10,000 through GoFundMe to build a memorial in Piermont’s Flywheel Park to honor him.