Dear Editor,
With Thanksgiving behind us and the Christmas season upon us, it is a time when many of us reflect on what we are grateful for and what we are looking forward to in the year ahead. So this month’s update is dedicated to those selfless volunteers who contribute their time and risk their lives for our safety, and for which every one of us is grateful.
On Thanksgiving evening, your volunteer firefighters were called out for a structure fire literally across the street from Station 1. With the fire whistle blowing at 4 p.m., most of the men and women were preparing to share a meal with family and friends when they dropped everything to come to the aid of their neighbor. It would be more than five hours before they returned home and almost all would miss their family meal.
Unfortunately, with that fire, a local family has had their lives disrupted for many months to come, but we are all grateful they made it out safely. Early detection, smoke detectors, and the quick response by the Apalachin Fire Department, including the District’s EMS staff, Shaun Foland, who was across the street in the Fire Station, led to the quick confirmation of a working fire and more than 50 volunteers responding to the scene.
Apalachin Fire answered the call and at the request of Fire Chief Mike George, was assisted by our friends and neighbors from Campville, Vestal, and West Corners Fire Departments. On behalf of the Fire District and our community, we are grateful for all who sacrificed their holiday and risked their lives to protect our neighbors that day.
December brings a lot of activity with holiday shopping and gatherings with our loved ones, but there are also some important reminders for all. First, if you didn’t change the batteries in your smoke detectors when the clocks changed, go do it now. Although we will always be here to help, we’d prefer to not visit on Christmas for another house fire.
Second, remember that almost all New York Fire District Commissioner elections are the second Tuesday of December. For Apalachin, polls are open Tuesday, Dec. 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Station 1. There are two seats open this year. Commissioners are responsible for the allocation of your tax dollars, so it’s important to have your voice heard.
Finally, on behalf of your Fire Commissioners and Volunteer Fire Department, we want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a joyous holiday season, whichever holiday you celebrate. We look forward to serving you in 2017 and wish you all a blessed, healthy, and prosperous New Year.
As always, I invite you to reach out via phone or email and I will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you have for the Fire District. We appreciate your continued support of the Fire District and your volunteer Fire Department.
Sincerely,
Brian Rieber
Chairman, Board of Fire Commissioners
(607) 765-2974
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