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Fire Training Mondays: Elba Volunteer Fire Department trains on car fires

By Howard B. Owens

The volunteer fire departments of Genesee County meet and train on Monday nights (I'm not sure if the City's career crew is on the same time table).  This Monday, I drove out to the Genesee County Fire Training Center to watch the Elba Volunteer Fire Department practice putting out car fires (it took me some time in between everything else going on to get the video edited and processed and posted to YouTube).

This video is the first in what I hope will be a series highlighting the Monday night training exercises of Genesee County's firefighters.  Whenever I have a free Monday, which mostly means no Batavia City Council meeting or other town board meeting, I'll pick a training session to attend and shoot a video documenting the training.  

The members of the Elba Volunteer Fire Department at training Monday: Kenny Ball, Rick Dorman, Ryan Hart, Mike Heale, Joe Kartychak, John Mudrzynski, "Rat" Reinhardt, Cale Rice, Brian Russell, Alex Shuknecht, Dave Webster, Mark Wiatrowski, Bill Zipfel, Cait Zipfel.

Timothy Paine

Howard, you've posted so many of these photos of volunteer firemen getting training I"m starting think you must be doctoring pictures. I thought we were told by Council person Christian and her family members that inform her our local volunteers didn't have proper? or was it enough? or was it good training? If these volunteers were so unqualified why do our professionals call on them for help at times. I have the utmost respect for the volunteers. They offer their time from their families, they spend a ton of their "own' money and are more then willing offer the ultimate sacrifice for their friends, neighbors, and those they've never met. Sometime back one of the discussions talked about dedication to a community. I said that you can't "buy" dedication. I can't think of a better example of what I meant than pointing out volunteer fire departments. They are heros, role models, and a true asset to a community. Thank you to all of you who offer yourselves to us in a true time of need and hopeful leadership. I admire all the time you give for training and helping make any neighborhood a better place. As I've said in the past. I would love to see you get more training if needed and or available. Get any other help that you require to keep doing the outstanding job you already proven you are more than capable of doing in our communities. Thank you to all the dedicated men and women.

Jul 31, 2009, 9:50am Permalink
Timothy Paine

My pleasure Nathan. I"m guessing you're one of those I was commending in my comment. Regardless of what some of our City leaders might think, I would put my life in your hands without hesitation. Thank you for all you give of yourself to better our community. Thank you for the countless hours you give up with your family to attend training sessions (I know how much you guys train). My family and I can't thank you guys and girls enough!

Jul 31, 2009, 6:16pm Permalink
Nathan Fix

LOL Yes Tim I am and thank you for truly appreciating what the firemen do. Volunteer Paid we all share the same mind set safety life and property. Not that I feel I need to brag about my accomplishments but I’m a proud Volunteer and this has run through my blood from way back along time ago 3 generations my grandfather my dad were both Chiefs in their life time. For many years when I was just a kid I went to every call dad let me. My dad taught me how to be multitasked in life. That you can be a husband father mentor and still give your time to your community willingly I don’t do what I do because I have no life I do what I do because I truly enjoy the satisfaction of being their for those in need. Not all volunteers have the same amount of time in or the same amount of extended training we all have the basic firefighting requirements governed by the state and county. In my 10yrs of being a volunteer I have advanced my training every year like most have. In addition to every Monday night training that goes on threw out are whole county. I made a self goal of trying to take at least two county or state classes a year each class can average 20 to 40hrs depending on the criteria. And yes I can evacuate a building. LOL I am a 27yr old college graduate who is a father to a loving 2 yr old, husband to a vary understanding wife a Local business owner of 6 yrs right here on W Main st in Batavia, A Local 911 Emergency Dispatcher Full time. A corporal for a Local Them Park Part time security for concerts, Chairman of the Harley Raffle. And The past three years I averaged over 200 fire calls a year and in the end I would not change anything when the tones go off at 3am this morning I will be there with knowledge sympathy and most of all pride.

Thanks,

N. Fix

Aug 4, 2009, 1:35pm Permalink
Nathan Fix

Tim Its called Rebel Liners, Spray on Truck Bed Liners We specialize in the application of sprayed on solid elastomer coatings for industrial, as well as commercial and retail applications. The primary application is for truck and trailer boxes. It is an ideal coating to protect your equipment from the day-to-day dings & scratches that quickly turn to corrosion and depreciation. We also specialize in all after market car and truck accessories, as well as A.R.E. truck caps & lids anything that has to do with customizing Automobiles. From bug shields to Tonneau covers.
WWW.RebelLiners.com Howard sorry if this turned into an advertisement. LOL
Ps Chris hope Jaw is ok. LOL

Aug 2, 2009, 10:46am Permalink

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