Wolf Den Honors Firefighter Dedicating Over 57 Years To Hopewell

We are excited to announce the Wolf Den of Heroes Inductee for April 2026. This is the fourth first responder to be inducted this year. Selected from the nominations received each month, we are excited to honor this month's hero. Each month, the Wolf looks forward to celebrating a first responder who serves our community.

The Wolf has teamed up with Mid Hudson Pump Company, MHA of Dutchess County, and Rutberg Breslow Personal Injury Law to select one of our area's first responders to be inducted into the Wolf Den of Heroes from among everyone who has been nominated to date. This month, we will honor someone who has served his community as a firefighter for 57 years.

Meet the Newest Member of The Wolf Den of Heroes

According to his nomination submitted by fellow firehouse member Steven Conti, which you can read in its entirety below, Dave Palin has been in service to his community for more than 5 decades. He has been dedicated to his community as a member of the Hopewell Hose Fire Company #1 for close to 60 years. He is pictured above giving Firefighter Seamus Fulton his shield in November of 2025.

Read Hopewell Firefighter Dave Palin's nomination from Steven Conti

"He has been a member of Hopewell Hose Fire Co. for approximately 57 years. He is one of our most active members, going to calls day or night, over 300 fire calls a year! He is also always ready to mentor one of our younger members, making sure they're ready to carry on. They all look up to him. He is also involved with every fundraiser we have and the work details. He's the first one to show up and get dirty! He also helps with training in our firehouse. He served our country in the army, which made him want to still do for his fellow men and women when he got out of the army to volunteer with the fire dept. In his younger years, he also spent hundreds of hours every year as an EMT on our rescue squad. If you were to look up the word volunteer in the dictionary, you would see Dave's picture! He's a role model for all firefighters!!!"

Nominate A First Responder for the Wolf Den of Heroes for 2026

Now that you have read Dave's story, please take a moment to tell us about a first responder you know. Nominate them to be inducted into the Wolf Den of Heroes. Tell us their story and why you believe they deserve to be recognized for their efforts in our community.

It is easy to nominate a first responder you know. Please complete the form on our website. Be sure to take a minute to share some information about the person you are nominating, and please feel free to send us a picture or two. We look forward to putting a spotlight on someone you know in 2026.