Joe Clarke Marks 50 Years of Volunteer Fire Service in Irvington
The 68-year-old former police sergeant and plumbing business owner received proclamations from local, county, and state officials during a recent ceremony.
By Fatima Popov ·
Joe Clarke received official recognition on Oct. 3 for five decades of volunteer service with the Irvington Fire Department.
The 68-year-old resident of the Village of Irvington was honored at a special ceremony held at the firehouse. Village, county, and state officials presented him with proclamations and plaques during the event.
Clarke’s public service career began in law enforcement. He served as an Irvington police officer for 21 years, reaching the rank of sergeant and working as the department’s accreditation officer. He later moved into the private sector. Clarke started working for John Greenfield in 1981 and took over the plumbing and heating business in 1988. The company, based in Sleepy Hollow, now employs 18 people under his management and that of his partner, Joey Good.
Clarke joined the fire department as a volunteer after high school. He cited a lack of paid positions in Westchester County at the time as the reason he did not pursue a career as a paid firefighter. His initial inspiration came from his foster father, James Annicharico, who served as fire chief for more than 30 years before dying in 2008. Clarke noted that he has responded to numerous house fires but has never had to enter a home to save a person’s life.
The volunteer fire department has seen a decline in active members since Clarke began. He estimates the current roster stands at about 40 active volunteers. Clarke attributed the decrease to modern work schedules, noting that many residents work two jobs and find it difficult to commit to the required training hours. His son, Joseph Jr., 43, has served as a firefighter for 26 years.
On Oct. 22, County Legislator David Imamura spearheaded the declaration of “Joe Clarke Day” in Westchester County. The declaration was displayed on a large sign outside the Westchester County Center in White Plains throughout the day.
Clarke currently sits on the Fire Department’s Board of Trustees. He stated he has no plans to retire from his business or his volunteer duties, adding that he intends to remain active as long as his health allows, though he no longer responds to 3 a.m. automatic alarms.
Source: River Journal
