The Pavilion Fire Department accepted a donation on Friday made possible through the generosity of the Batavia Middle School’s dress-down days. 

Rebecca Matteson, the mother of a patient treated by the department in May 2021, made the donation to the department. 

Jeffrey DeMare was involved in an automobile accident involving one box truck and two semis at the curve on Route 63 and Peoria Road. Thanks to quick actions taken by a good Samaritan and a State trooper from Wyoming County, who both applied a tourniquet and with the Pavilion Fire Department providing Basic Life Support, Jeffrey was able to make a full recovery after multiple surgeries. 

Ken Weaver, president of the Pavilion Fire Department, accepted the check. Jeffrey is standing to the right of Rebecca. Also in the photo are firefighters who responded to the call.

Submitted photos and information.

For 2023, the Firefighter of the Year in the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department was a collective award, going to the Top 10 responders (11 members, counting a tie) for the year.

The Firefighters of the Year are Brian Breemes, Randal Henning, Tim Eckdahl, Chris Penkszyk, Mark Dougherty, Ashley Swartzenberg, Jason Smith, Ken Collins, Brian Pocock, Don Hall, and Ben Pocock.

The firematic officers installed for 2024 are:

• Timothy Eckdahl, chief
• Brian Pocock, 1st assistant chief
• Brian Breemes, 2nd assistant chief
• Kari Breemes, 3rd assistant chief
• Jason Smith, 4th assistant chief
• Randal Henning, rescue squad captain
• Chad Rambach, rescue squad lietuenent 
• Donald Hall, fire police captain
• Ben Fox, fire police lieutenant
• Brian Pocock, master mechanic
• Brian Breemes and Matt Hendershott, training officers
• Julie Bobo and Ashley Swartzenberg, chief's secretary

The administrative officers: 

• James Call, president
• Kari Breemes, vice president
• Bonnie Logsdon, secretary
• Stephanie Call, treasurer
• Trustees: Stanley Gere, Jason Smith, Ashley Swartzenberg, Chad Rambach, Stephanie Call
• Auditors: Ben Fox and Kenneth Collins.

The dinner was held on Saturday at the Batavia Country Club.

Photos by Howard Owens

Members of the Pavilion Volunteer Fire Department honored their own on Saturday at the fire hall with an awards and installation dinner.

Ken Weaver was named Firefighter of the Year. Dave Clor received the EMS Person of the Year award. Paul Daugherty received the President's Award.

Tom Garlock, Jason Everett, Chris Holley, and Don Roblee Jr. received a special EMS award for their effort to deliver a baby during a snowstorm in January. The baby was named Cinderella.

Matt Jacobs received the Lifetime Member Award.

Jerry Fitzsimmons was honored as a 50-year member for 2022, and Don Roblee and Ken Weaver were honored for 50 years in 2023.

The 2024 officers:

• Jason Everett, chief
• Bryen Murrock, 1st asst. chief
• Codey O'Neill, 2nd asst. chief
• Chris Holley, captain
• Kelly Murrock, captain
• Jason True, lieutenant
• Dewey Murrock, lieutenant
• Ken Weaver, fire police captain
• Dave Clor, safety officer

It's been four years since the East Pembroke Fire Department came together for an awards and officer installation dinner, so there were a few awards to hand out on Saturday night.

Chief Don Newton recognized years of service and training hours for 2021, 2022, and 2023, as well as handing out, along with Tim Yaeger, the Service Awards and Firefighter of the Year for each year.

The Service Award for 2021 went to the Genesee County Health Department for support and assistance during the pandemic.

Jennifer Groff was named Firefighter of the Year for 2021.

For 2022, the Service Award went to the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management for all of its assistance around Christmas when Winter Storm Elliott hit.

Dave Martin, who couldn't attend the dinner, was named Firefighter of the Year for 2022.

Willie Welch received a special award for his 40 years of dedicated service to the fire department and the county. Paul Fenton also has 40 years of service but wasn't available on Saturday night.

The Service Award for 2023 went to Adam Pearce. 

The Firefighter of the Year for 2023 is James Gayton, who was recognized for his dedication to the department, whether it is fixing things that are broken, cleaning what needs to be cleaned, or barbecuing at fundraisers.

Newton said, "He puts his time in and gives us the best of everything he can."

The 2024 firematic officers:

• Don Newton, Jr., chief
• Charles Chatley, deputy chief
• Andrew Martin, assistant chief
• Travis Dobrowsky, EMS chief
• James Gayton, firematic captain
• Jennifer Groff, EMS captain
• Ken Marble, exterior fire captain
• Kyle Rupp, firematic lieutenant
• Stephen Smelski, EMS lieutenant
• Richard Groff, fire police captain

Administrative Officers:

• Donald Newton, Sr., president
• Ken Marble, vice president
• Julie Waldron, secretary and parade marshall
• Riley Martin, sergeant of arms
• Adam Pearce, assistant parade marshall
• Pastor Bloom, chaplin

Board of Directors: Andrew Martin, Donald Newton, Sr., Charles Chatley, Ken Marble, Stephen Smelski, Julie Waldron, Dale Lewter, Patrick Gallaway.

District Representatives:

• James Gayton, chairman
• Patrick Reeves, sergeant of arms
• Kristi Humphrey, treasurer,
• Kevin Gill, assistant chairman
• MaryAnn Chatley, secretary
• Richard Groff, commissioner

This past Saturday evening, Fire Chief Jeff Fluker of Bethany Fire Department led as the master of ceremonies at Bethany’s annual awards and installation of officer’s banquet. 

More than 80 people attended including VIP guests from other area fire departments, including Alexander, Attica, Elba, Pavilion, Stafford, and Wyoming.

Dignitaries from Steve Hawley’s office, Jayleen Carney and Senator George Borrello’s office, and Genesee County Legislator Gregg Torrey attended to present years of service pin awards and acknowledgments.  

Dan Coffey presented the installation of officers for 2024.  Jeff Fluker, and Will Thurley announced the Firefighter of the Year award to Jeff Wolak. 

Vicki Wolak announced the EMS Awards.  They were given to Brian Britton, Carl Hyde Jr., Will Thurley, and Jeff Wolak.  Also, Wolak recognized three new EMTs -- Glenn Adams, Britney Johnson, and Peggy Johnson.

The Chief's Award was given to Carl Hyde Jr.  

The memorial service, led by Pastor Walter Wenhold,  honored William Shae and all deceased members of the department.

The department responded to 151 total calls in 2023. 

The top responders were:

• Peg Johnson, 16 calls
• Don Frank, 16 calls
• Vicki Wolak, 26 calls
• Gail Smith, 30 calls
• Glenn Adams, 36 calls
• Lyle Boundy, 47 calls
• Carl Hyde Jr., 48 calls
• Will Thurley, 50 calls
• Brian Britton, 51 calls
• Jeff Wolak, 59 calls

If anyone is interested in joining or learn more, contact Chief Jeff Fluker at 585-300-8153 or come to the fire hall any Monday night at 7 p.m.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

There are volunteers throughout the county who remain on their department's active rolls after 50, 60, or even 70 years of service. But they aren't typically responding to calls any more.

At 88 years old, after 70 years of service to the Corfu Volunteer Fire Department, Jim Mallory still attends Monday evening training sessions, turns out to emergency calls, sometimes drives a rescue truck, and remains a member of the fire district's board of commissioners.

 South Byron Volunteer Fire Company’s 48th annual banquet was one of celebration and remembrance.

The fire company, which is 104 years old, began the evening with a welcome and introduction of guests by emcee Fred Klycek.

After a prayer by the Rev. Harold Coller, a buffet dinner was served

It may be the case that taxpayers in the East Pembroke Fire District decided earlier this week to the "pay me later" path for the future of keeping their homes and families safe in emergencies.

Voters turned down a proposal on Tuesday to fund a low-cost retirement program to help the fire department retain volunteers.

On May 15 a Public Employee Safety & Health Bureau (PESH) Firefighter Seminar: Myth vs. Fact was held at Genesee Community College.

Jennifer Puerner of the NYS Public Employee Safety & Health Bureau spoke about training requirements, standards, mandates, record & retention, PPE requirements, bailout system requirements and other rules and regulations. The purpose of the seminar was to differentiate between myths vs. facts.

Fifty-six participants from 17 agencies participated in this seminar.

ALABAMA

• Anthony Mudrzynski
• Henry Mudrzynski
• Michelle Patnode
• Gary L. Patnode
• Rick Brunea

BARRE

• Jesse Babcock
• Douglas Bentley
• Gerald Bentley
• Gary Rowley

CITY OF BATAVIA

• Robert Fix
• Zechariah Gowanlock
• Daniel Herberger
• Dan Huggins

TOWN OF BATAVIA

• Brian Bentley
• Paul Dibble
• Clayton Gorski
• Robert Hunt

BERGEN

• Kevin Bruton Sr.
• Paul Cummings
• Don Cunningham
• Joseph MacConnell
• Robert MacConnell
• James Pascarella

BETHANY

• Deb Donnelly
• Jeff Fluker
• Carl Hyde
• Gail Smith

BYRON

• Paul Carr
• Brandon Crossett
• John Durand
• Robert Mruczek
• Cory Russell
• Edward Sharp
• Robert Wasinger

CORFU

• Dean Eck
• Gregory S. Lang
• Matt Lenhard
• Justin Rodland
• Daniel Smith

EAST PEMBROKE

• Charles Chatley
• Andrew Martin

ELBA

• Nick Esten
• Michael Heale
• Nathan Tabor

GC OEM

• Tyler Lang
• Gary P. Patnode
• Tim Yaeger
• INDIAN FALLS
• LuAnne Mileham

LEROY

• Fay Fuerch
• Craig Johnson
• MURRAY JOINT FIRE DISTRICT
• Jeff Elsenheimer

PEMBROKE

• Kevin Ross
• STAFFORD
• Brian Breemes
• Kari Breemes
• Tim Eckdahl

UNKOWN

• Jacob Schultz

Joining the fire/EMS service not only provides you the opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to your community but allows you to develop (free) professional skills, and form lifelong friendships and positive relationships. Visit your local fire department to find out more about volunteer opportunities in your community.