Thomas Pomplin Memorial
Thomas Pomplin (1826-1854), a Black man born one year before the conditional abolition of slavery in New York State was also the Town of Piermont Fire Company's first Line of Duty Death (LODD) and was posthumously recognized for his sacrifice 168 years after the fire that ultimately consumed his life. I was commissioned by Chief Dan Goswick to create this sculpture of Thomas Pomplin, which is based on the only known photograph of Pomplin, pictured without a uniform. His recognition as a firefighter, a citizen and a hero is now recorded in Rockland County's Legislature and my monument to him stands proudly at Flywheel Park in Piermont for all to see.
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New York State Senate Resolution recognizing Thomas Pomplin
New York State Senate
Assembly Resolution No. 563
BY: M. of A. Lawler
HONORING Piermont Firefighter Thomas Pomplin
posthumously upon the occasion of being the first
African-American Line of Duty Death in Rockland
County
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to convey its
grateful appreciation and heartfelt regret in recognition of the loss of
a courageous and hardworking firefighter who dedicated his purposeful
life and career in faithful service to the residents of New York State;
and
WHEREAS, It is with profound sadness and deep regret that this
Legislative Body records the tragic and untimely passing of Firefighter
Thomas Pomplin, who made the ultimate sacrifice as a member of Empire
Hose Company No. 1 in 1854; and
WHEREAS, Born in 1826 to Mary Pomplin, Thomas Pomplin lived on South
Piermont Avenue in the Village of Piermont, New York; and
WHEREAS, In 1850, a sulfur match factory located on the lower
shoreline of Nyack, New York, was converted into Storm's Cedar Tub and
Pail Factory by the Storms brothers, Arthur and Henry; on Saturday, July
29, 1854, the Storms brothers decided to close the factory a bit early;
at approximately 7pm smoke and flames were discovered coming from the
south side of the main building; and
WHEREAS, The call for fire was heard and soon members from
Orangetown and Mazzepa Fire Companies responded; as the Nyack
firefighters set up their hand drawn engines to fight the massive blaze,
it was determined that much of the entire building was enveloped in
flames; with soaring summer heat and the dry condition of the building
and its contents, the fire advanced with incredible speed; and
WHEREAS, During this time, as Nyack firefighters directed their
efforts toward saving the brick building opposite the main Storms
structure, a man upon a horse was dispatched to Piermont for mutual aid;
while the blaze was at its height, the Empire Hose Company and
Protection Engine Company arrived from Piermont to assist in the
firefighting efforts; and
WHEREAS, In the 1800s, Piermont firefighters pulled and pushed their
engines with manpower, covering the three-mile distance to the scene of
the fire in just 50 minutes; their equipment and manpower helped prevent
the further spread of fire to other buildings; and
WHEREAS, On that warm July summer evening, 28-year-old Thomas
Pomplin, a member of the Empire Hose Company No. 1 of the Piermont Fire
Department, responded to the Storm's Cedar and Pail Factory to fight
this major building fire side by side with his brother firemen; and
WHEREAS, On August 5, 1854, a few days after the devastating blaze,
Firefighter Thomas Pomplin succumb to the effects of overheating and
exhaustion after selflessly and heroically putting his life on the line
for the residents of his beloved community; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Thomas Pomplin gave his life in service to
others, but more importantly, he lived his life in service to others;
his infinite selflessness and strength will forever stand as a paradigm
and inspiration for others; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Firefighter Thomas Pomplin leaves behind a legacy which will
long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory
to all who were privileged to have known and loved such an amazing man;
he truly merits the grateful tribute of this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, On August 5, 2022, a coalition of residents, community
leaders, and the local fire service will unveil a monument in honor of
Thomas Pomplin and recognize him as the first African-American line of
duty death in Rockland County; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Piermont Firefighter Thomas Pomplin posthumously upon the occasion
of being the first African-American Line of Duty Death in Rockland
County; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Firefighter Thomas Pomplin.
Assembly Resolution No. 563
BY: M. of A. Lawler
HONORING Piermont Firefighter Thomas Pomplin
posthumously upon the occasion of being the first
African-American Line of Duty Death in Rockland
County
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to convey its
grateful appreciation and heartfelt regret in recognition of the loss of
a courageous and hardworking firefighter who dedicated his purposeful
life and career in faithful service to the residents of New York State;
and
WHEREAS, It is with profound sadness and deep regret that this
Legislative Body records the tragic and untimely passing of Firefighter
Thomas Pomplin, who made the ultimate sacrifice as a member of Empire
Hose Company No. 1 in 1854; and
WHEREAS, Born in 1826 to Mary Pomplin, Thomas Pomplin lived on South
Piermont Avenue in the Village of Piermont, New York; and
WHEREAS, In 1850, a sulfur match factory located on the lower
shoreline of Nyack, New York, was converted into Storm's Cedar Tub and
Pail Factory by the Storms brothers, Arthur and Henry; on Saturday, July
29, 1854, the Storms brothers decided to close the factory a bit early;
at approximately 7pm smoke and flames were discovered coming from the
south side of the main building; and
WHEREAS, The call for fire was heard and soon members from
Orangetown and Mazzepa Fire Companies responded; as the Nyack
firefighters set up their hand drawn engines to fight the massive blaze,
it was determined that much of the entire building was enveloped in
flames; with soaring summer heat and the dry condition of the building
and its contents, the fire advanced with incredible speed; and
WHEREAS, During this time, as Nyack firefighters directed their
efforts toward saving the brick building opposite the main Storms
structure, a man upon a horse was dispatched to Piermont for mutual aid;
while the blaze was at its height, the Empire Hose Company and
Protection Engine Company arrived from Piermont to assist in the
firefighting efforts; and
WHEREAS, In the 1800s, Piermont firefighters pulled and pushed their
engines with manpower, covering the three-mile distance to the scene of
the fire in just 50 minutes; their equipment and manpower helped prevent
the further spread of fire to other buildings; and
WHEREAS, On that warm July summer evening, 28-year-old Thomas
Pomplin, a member of the Empire Hose Company No. 1 of the Piermont Fire
Department, responded to the Storm's Cedar and Pail Factory to fight
this major building fire side by side with his brother firemen; and
WHEREAS, On August 5, 1854, a few days after the devastating blaze,
Firefighter Thomas Pomplin succumb to the effects of overheating and
exhaustion after selflessly and heroically putting his life on the line
for the residents of his beloved community; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Thomas Pomplin gave his life in service to
others, but more importantly, he lived his life in service to others;
his infinite selflessness and strength will forever stand as a paradigm
and inspiration for others; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Firefighter Thomas Pomplin leaves behind a legacy which will
long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory
to all who were privileged to have known and loved such an amazing man;
he truly merits the grateful tribute of this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, On August 5, 2022, a coalition of residents, community
leaders, and the local fire service will unveil a monument in honor of
Thomas Pomplin and recognize him as the first African-American line of
duty death in Rockland County; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Piermont Firefighter Thomas Pomplin posthumously upon the occasion
of being the first African-American Line of Duty Death in Rockland
County; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Firefighter Thomas Pomplin.