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Byron Fire Department

Much appreciation shown for volunteers at Byron Fire Department’s annual dinner

By Steve Ognibene
Byron Fire Department 2023 award recipients, Photo by Steve Ognibene
Byron Fire Department 2023 service award recipients, Photo by Steve Ognibene

Byron Fire Department held it’s 2024 recognition and installation of officers Saturday evening at the fire hall.  More than 100 people attended the event to honor volunteers who have served in the department. 

In the 2023 year of review presented by Captain Brandon Crossett, there were 226 total calls, 168 of which were EMS calls. John Durand had 196 Calls, Bob Mruczek 167, Edward Sharp 137, Brandon Crossett 126.

A moment of silence was given to Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello who passed away on March 10 in the line of duty.  A 50/50 raffle was raised for the family of Sgt. Sanfratello.  The winner chose to give their winning proceeds towards the total raised, which was $230.

In 2023 some significant mentions included the town board and community used funds to purchase a new town park and Byron rescue ambulance.

The Ladies Auxiliary presented awards that totaled 185 service years, and member of the year was Morgan Leaton.

Award highlights:

2023 Firefighter of the Year - Michael Alexander

Acknowledgement of Chiefs Award – Cory Russell

Most Training hours in Genesee County - Michael Alexander, 201

Training Award - Brandon Crossett 132 hrs

EMS Award - Debra Buck-Leaton EMT of the Year

Dedication of Service Award - Fire Chief Bob Mruczek

Recognitions:

Ken McKendrick Jr, 45 years of service

David Barringer, 50 years of service

Jim Hutchinson, 55 years of service

Other awards were given to, Pete Lochner, Steve Lochner, Joe Wells, Joshua Woika, Tammy Wells, Lori Mruczek, Morgan Leaton and Julia Wasinger.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Byron Fire Deptartment 2024 installation of Officers  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Byron Fire Department 2024 installation of Officers.
Photo by Steve Ognibene
L to R, Chief Bob Mruczek presenting special awards to Pete Lochner, Steve Lochner, Joe Wells  Photo by Steve Ognibene
From left, Chief Bob Mruczek presenting special awards to Pete Lochner, Steve Lochner, Joe Wells.
Photo by Steve Ognibene
L to R special awards, Tammy Wells, Lori Mruczek, Morgan Leaton, Julia Wasinger  Photo by Steve Ognibene
From left, special awards went to Tammy Wells, Lori Mruczek, Morgan Leaton, Julia Wasinger. 
Photo by Steve Ognibene
A standing ovation was given to David Barringer for 50 years of service  Photo by Steve Ognibene
A standing ovation was given to David Barringer for 50 years of service.
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Firefighter of the Year, Michael Alexander  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Firefighter of the Year, Michael Alexander.
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Cory Russell was presented the Chiefs Award by Bob Mruczek  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Cory Russell was presented the Chiefs Award by Bob Mruczek.
Photo by Steve Ognibene
L to R Tyler Lang presents Brandon Crossett and Michael Alexander with top training service hours awards  Photo by Steve Ognibene
From left, Tyler Lang presents Brandon Crossett and Michael Alexander with top training service hours awards.
Photo by Steve Ognibene
L to R Kaleena Neal-Smith and Bob Mruczek present Debra Buck-Leaton with the EMT of the Year award  Photo by Steve Ognibene
From left, Kaleena Neal-Smith and Bob Mruczek present Debra Buck-Leaton with the EMT of the Year Award.
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Ladies Auxillary combined 185 years of dedication to the Byron Fire Department  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Ladies Auxillary combined 185 years of dedication to the Byron Fire Department.
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Ladies Auxillary Member of the year Morgan Leaton (holding flowers)  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Ladies Auxillary Member of the year Morgan Leaton (holding flowers).
Photo by Steve Ognibene

Byron volunteer EMT honored for living-saving actions

By Howard B. Owens
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Laura Platt was just settling into defrosting a freezer on July 7 when the alarm came in: somebody had a serious cut.

The Byron Volunteer Fire Department EMT grabbed her gear, making sure she had a tourniquet and plenty of gauze and was on scene about a minute later.

Somebody who provided first-aid to a man who suffered a large cut in his arm from a chainsaw had done a good job of slowing the bleeding by using a bungee cord as a makeshift tourniquet.

William Hallinan, trauma program manager of UR Medical Center, said some first responders think that would be enough but Platt, through training and experience, knew better. She applied a medical tourniquet. That stopped the bleeding and at a minimum saved the victim from losing his arm and probably saved his life.

For her efforts, Pratt was honored Saturday at the Byron Fire Hall by her department and UR Medical Center.

To become a volunteer in your community, visit ReadyGenesee.com.

Byron Rescue Squad and local fire departments hold '9-1-1 Food Call' May 29

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Byron Rescue Squad along with local fire departments will be holding a 9-1-1 Food Call on Friday, May 29th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Byron Bergen High School Campus.

Food donated will be given to The Salvation Army in Batavia for distribution.

The items in demand are: helper meal kits (hamburger and tuna) canned fruit, crackers and cereal. Any nonperishable food items will be welcomed to help us answer this 9-1-1 Food Call.

If these hours do not fit your busy schedule, donations can be left at the Byron Fire Department across from the Post Office in Byron on Route 262.

Please have your donations bagged and be advised that no one needs to exit their car at this event.

Volunteers will accept your donation as you pass through the high school campus. Byron Bergen High school is located at the intersection of Route 262 and West Bergen Road in Bergen.

For questions or to volunteer to help at the drive-thru, Contact Brad Nickerson at (585) 330-3584 or by email at:   bnickerson@albionk12.org

Thanks for answering this 9-1-1 Food Call!

Photos: Byron Fire Department's Sportsman Raffle

By Howard B. Owens

The Byron Fire Department held its annual Sportsman Raffle on Saturday, with several items offered as prizes to those fortunate enough to buy the winning raffle tickets.

The event also included a bake sale and prize raffle offered by the Auxiliary.

An added fundraiser was a fill-the-boot campaign to raise money to assist the Payne family, who lost their home in a fire on Thursday night. Above, Chief Robert Mruczek with the donation boot.

Byron Fire Department holds Sportsman's Raffle at its fire hall on Saturday, Sept. 30

By Billie Owens

Byron Fire Department will hold a Sportsman’s Raffle on Saturday, Sept. 30th at Byron Fire Hall, 6357 Townline Road, Byron.

Doors open at noon, event is from 1 – 5 p.m., meal included with ticket.

Tickets ($20 each) for the event may be purchased from any member of our department.

Tickets may only be purchased by those 18 years of age and older.

Each ticket allows the holder entry on the day of the event, food (snacks & meal) and beverage, as well as a chance to win one of 15 prizes (refer to ticket itself).

Ticket holders do not need to be present to win; winners of firearms will be subject to federal background check. Event will also include a door prize, additional side raffles and pull tabs.

Proceeds benefit Byron Fire Department.

For more info contact Joe Wells 585-409-1270.

Byron Fire Department's Open House was fun for all

By Billie Owens

Submitted photos and press release:

On Sunday, April 24, the Byron Fire Department held an Open House and welcomed community members to come and check them out. Volunteer firefighters, EMTs, and ladies’ auxiliary members were on hand to greet the public and show off their equipment and hall. The event was blessed with a warm and sunny day. 

Adults and families with young children were welcomed, and each child was given a junior firefighter’s hat and a toy fire truck. Those lucky children were encouraged to explore the equipment, they climbed into the fire trucks and ambulance. Firefighters boosted the children into the driver’s seat and some of the kids were delighted to blow the sirens.

The Byron Rescue Squad is very involved in the health and well being of their community and have responded to an amazing 170 calls in 2015. These EMTs proudly showed off their well-equipped ambulance and even let the kids get comfy lying on the gurney.

Inside the hall the EMTs did blood-pressure checks and gave out some health info and tips. Firefighters were available to hand out some in-home fire prevention information and smoke detectors. Members of the ladies’ auxiliary, which has hosted Genesee County’s Dances for Adults with Developmental Disabilities for the past 12 years, were on hand to provide refreshments and serve up a free lunch of spaghetti and meatballs.

Byron Fire Department is always accepting applications for membership. Open meetings are on the second Monday evening of the month at 7 o'clock.

Byron fire marks another year of service to the community

By Howard B. Owens

Chief Charles Durkee sent in these pictures from the Byron Fire Department's recent installation dinner.

Eddy Sharp received the award for most training hours and Robert Mruczek received Firefighter of the Year.

Durkee received a gift from the ladie's auxiliary -- a PIG axe. He said it is the first one in the county at a volunteer department.

Pictures courtesy Marie Bohn Studio.

Bryon Fire installs officers, honors top performers

By Howard B. Owens

Byron Fire held its annual installation and awards dinner last weekend.

Photos by Marie Bohn.

Fire fighter of the year Dwayne Weatherell presented by last year's winner Eddie Sharp.

Outstanding firefighter Robert Mruczek.

Firefighter Joe Wells

Chief Charles London Durkee Sr. And wife Sonya.

Photos: Byron Fire Department installation dinner

By Howard B. Owens

The Byron Fire Department, incorporated in 1920, installed its new officers and honored its volunteers at a dinner in Byron on Saturday night.

Byron responded to 167 calls in 2010, with 131 of them for EMS, 11 car accidents, one working house fire, one small dump fire, one midsized dump fire, one large dump fire and one gas leak.

Howard Ivison was awarded a 60-year award and Lester Barnard was awarded a 67-year award.

Kevin McKenrick, Steve Lockner and John Durand were awarded their life memberships.

Zack Johnson and Eddie Sharp received the most training hours award.

Judy Yager was awarded a life membership in the Ladies Auxiliary.

Wayne Austin is the new chief. Former chief John Durand becomes 1st assistant chief. David Chup is president and Ken McKenrick Jr., is chairman of the board of directors. Tim McKenrick is president of the exempt officers and Laura Platt is president of the Ladies' Auxiliary.

More pictures after the jump:





 

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