Spack in the Press

"Jama Peacock, MD: Single Mother, Family Physician, Entrepreneur"

Saratoga Today - 12th June 2009

This picture was taken as part of the "Jama Peacock, MD: Single Mother, Family Physician, Entrepreneur" article about the GFD physician Doctor Peacock.

The caption reads "Dr. Peacock conducts the annual physical of Greenfield Fire Commissioner Richard Spackmann, who says that Peacock has championed, the local fire department's health initiative by taking it to a new level of efficiency."

Read the article online here.

Photo by Francine Grinnell, Saratoga Today

"Honoring the Flag"

The Post Star - 6th June 2005

This picture was taken at the annual Elks Flag Day parade. This was the first time that I had the honor of carrying the American Flag in our parade - its the biggest parade in downtown Saratoga each year. The caption of the photograph read, "The stripes of the American flag are reflected in the sunglasses of the flag carrier for the Maple Avenue Fire Department on Saturday as he leads his crew down Broadway during the Saratoga Springs Flag Day parade."

You can click on the photo to see a much larger version (or click here for a print quality picture - this is a very large picture so beware it might take a while to download). (Photo by Nathan Pallace)

Saratoga National Fire Prevention

June 2nd 2006

This picture was taken at the grant opening of the Saratoga National bank on the Jones Road Stewart's plaza. It was such a rainy day, but such a great time! The event featured Olympic bronze medalist Kathleen Kauth - and out ladder truck (EL-293) and our MED vehicle (MED-296).

From left to right: Firefighter Matt Herbert, Safety Officer Dean Deuel Sr, Firefighter Tommy Clark and Commissioner Richard Spackmann. Also not featured is Firefighter Bill Horbury and Firefighter Will Staiger.

You can click on the photo to see a much larger version (Photo by hired Saratoga National photographer)

"Firehouse Carwash"

Saratoga Today - 17th April 2006

This picture was taken at the annual Maple Avenue Fire Department Spring car wash. The caption of the photograph read, "At top, Grenfield Fire District Commissioner Richard Spackmann sprays Bryan King's vehcile during Saturday's car wash at the Maple Avenue firehouse."

You can click on the photo to see a much larger version

Photo by Zack Lynch

Firemen, volunteers are heroes of windstorm

The Saratogian - 14th April 2006

This was the press release regarding the Greenfield Fire District's service during the massive windstorm that crippled our district for nearly four days. The district ran to more than 97 calls over the weekend - which set many records for our individual sister companies.

The article highlights my initiative to query each company for a list of items that could be useful if we should encounter such a situation again.

You can view the scanned article here.

"We're not from outer space, kids"

The Saratogian - 4th November 2004

This picture was taken at the department's annual fire prevention program at the Dorothy Nolan Elementary School. The caption of the photograph reads, "Firefighters Amy King and Richard Spackmann crawl through a group of kindergarten students Wednesday at the Dorothy Nolan Elementary School demonstrating how a firefighter would appear to a person in a building. Firefighters want kids to get used to their appearance so that if one of the children is ever in that situation, he or she won't be scared of a firefighter."

You can click on the photo to see a much larger version (or click here for a scanned picture including the caption from the newspaper - this is a very large picture so beware it might take a while to download).

Photo by Clark Bell

Spackmann Elected District Fire Commissioner

The Saratogian - 16th December 2004

This was the press release about my election victory. The night of the election, Maple Avenue honored me by putting the election results on their sign.

You can view the article on the Saratogian's website here.

Website Ignites Fire Department Interest

The Times Union - 5th April 2001

This was the original press release of MAFD.org back in 2001. The nice thing about this press release is that it showcased the many members who made the initial release of MAFD.org possible. All-in-all, it took almost one year to get the site and up and running.

You can view a scanned image of the article here.

Greenfield District Supports Smoke Safety

The Saratogian - 18th November 2001

One of the annual halloween parties at Maple Avenue back in 2001 had a record number of residents attending - and that particular year featured a "smoke room" where we filled the upstairs of the firehouse with our training smoke (non-toxic) and let them crawl around following a path of lights around the room.

We effectively created a fire prevention clinic upstairs, allowing the children attending the party to have fun, while learning potentially life saving lessons.

You can view a scanned image of the article here or view the article on the Saratogian's website here.

Photo by Rick Gargiulo

Maple Avenue Fire Department Opens New Website

The Saratogian - 10th December 2004

This was one of the press releases as part of my election campaign. This was the press release for the open source release of MAFD.org, when I released the four years worth of programming to be downloaded freely but the public.

The department website has had a cult following ever since its inception, so it was nice to allow others to use the programming that I put four years of labor into.

You can view a scanned image of the article here.

Local Student Has Smoke'n Good Time as Firefighter

The Saratogian - 26th February 2001

This was the first article of my service in the Maple Avenue Fire Department. The article was in the Saratogian newspaper back in 2001 after Assistant Chief Paul Coneski suggested the article a reporter.

I was extremely honored by his gesture and I think the article came out great!

You can view a scanned image of the article here or view the article on the Saratogian's website here.

Photo by Clark Bell