City Fire

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK: Batavia City Council member Kathleen Briggs reads a proclamation Monday night declaring Oct. 7-13 as Fire Prevention Week as, from left, Fire Chief Stefano Napolitano, Lt. Greg Ireland, Lt. David Green, Firefighter Sean Huggins, Firefighter Chris Morasco and Firefighter Ryan Whitcombe look on. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department is sponsoring the sixth Annual Fire Prevention Week Coloring Contest. This coloring contest is open to students from kindergarten through grade 5.

“Our hope is to get the children to discuss fire safety with their teachers, other students and parents/guardians,” an organizer said.

Information has been distributed to City schools, but we wanted to include any City area homeschooled children as well.

Copies of the official coloring page and contest rules can be picked up at City Fire Headquarters, 18 Evans St. We encourage all eligible students to participate.

The 2018 Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 7-13) theme is “LOOK. LISTEN. LEARN. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere.” Additional information can be found at the Fire Prevention Week website www.FPW.org

Any posters wishing to be entered need to be at the Fire Station located at 18 Evans St. in Batavia no later than 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11.

Judging of the posters will take place Oct. 12th – 15th.

The winner of each group will receive a ride to school on a City Fire Engine, and be invited to a special awards luncheon with their family held at the fire station. Second- and third-place finishers in each group will also be invited to the fire station awards luncheon.

The best of luck to the students! Full rules are available at the City of Batavia Fire Department at 18 Evans St. in Batavia or email the Fire Prevention Officer, Lt. Greg Ireland, at:   gireland@batavianewyork.com

Yesterday and today, firefighters with City of Batavia Fire Department have been learning -- both through classroom instruction and hands-on practice -- how to rescue people in a collapsed-structure situation. The class includes working with tools to cut and break concrete, cut metal and cut wood.

The training has been at the fire hall and in the lot behind Falleti Ice Arena on Evans Street.

The trainers were from the State Department of Fire Prevention and Control, led by Jerry Mazurkiewicz.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants on Aug. 22nd from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the general area of East Main Street, State Street, Oak Street, Washington Avenue and Richmond Avenue. Homes and businesses nearby will be affected. These tests may result in temporary discoloration of water in that area.

As in the past, please do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored. If you do experience a discoloration of your water, run cold water for about five minutes or until clear.

This annual testing is essential to maintain the communities class III Insurance Service Office (ISO) public protection classification and to assure that hydrants are operating efficiently for fire protection purposes. Along with maintaining the fire rating, the test monitors the health of the city’s water system, identifies weak areas in the system, removes material that settles in the hydrant, and cleans out the lines. Checking each hydrant improves crew knowledge of hydrant locations.

If you have any questions, or should at anytime notice a hydrant in need of repair, please contact the fire department at 585-345-6375.

City Council President Eugene Jankowski, right, congratulations former firefighter Jeff Stevens on his retirement after 20 years of service to the City of Batavia during Monday's City Council meeting.

Below, Councilwoman Kathy Briggs reads a proclamation from the Council recognizing Stevens for his service.

The height of the buildings at Oatka Milk Products at Cedar and Ellicott Streets, Batavia, proved to be the perfect place today for members of the Batavia Fire Department to train with NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

There are few firefighters at age 23 who come into City Fire with a resume to match Ryan Hinz.

He's been a volunteer in Alexander since he was 16. He twice won Firefighter of the Year. He rose to the rank of EMS captain and won awards for his EMS work. He also won a chief's award.

Fire Chief Steve Napolitano said Hinz scored high on his civil service exam and his agility test and excelled at the fire academy.

Perhaps this isn't a surprise. He's the son of career firefighter Marty Hinz, currently a captain with City Fire, and the grandson of a firefighter who also served for several years as Genesee County's emergency coordinator.

Marty Hinz said he almost sees Ryan through his father's eyes.

"I remember when I joined the Alexander Fire Department and became chief down there and how proud my father was," Marty said. "And now I can empathize with his feelings, you know, just the look on his face -- now I understand where he was coming from and now I understand how proud he was. Now I'm just as proud of Ryan."

Napolitano was quick to emphasize that Ryan -- who is assigned to the First Platoon with Marty is assigned to the Third Platoon -- wasn't hired because he was Marty's son. He earned it.

"We're expecting big things from him," Napolitano said. "You know, he's got a good 30-year career out of here. We're expecting the same things that he's done from 16 to 23 to continue over the next 30 years."

Marty, understandably, but with good reason, thinks Ryan is qualified to be a career firefighter.

"Ryan has a certain pride, the intelligence, the humility that it takes to be a good firefighter," Marty said. "He's just a great kid."

Ryan said while he was inspired by his father to pursue a career in fire services, that isn't the only reason he took this career path.

"I like being able to help people," Ryan said. "I know that sounds like a cheesy response but it's just what I enjoy doing."

He said he is proud to follow in his father's footsteps and that serving an Alexander was a great experience that gave him a good idea what a career in firefighting might be like, plus, he said, he formed lasting friendships with his fellow volunteers.

Whatever inspired Ryan to become a career firefighter, Napolitano said it is what will make him an asset to the department.

"We're very fortunate in the fact that we have someone that has that internal desire to want to continue the family lineage and someone that it's not just a job for him," Napolitano said. "That is pretty much everyone in this department. It's a passion. It's not just a job. And that translates to the service delivery that we're able to provide. It's not just going through the motions. It's they live they breathe it and that they value the opportunity to work here. That translates to the service product that we're putting out there.

"To have Ryan, who, again, this is what he wants to do, this is where he comes from. It just enhances our service delivery."

Previously: 

• Photos: Alexander fire awards and officer installation​
• Alexander FD installs new officers, recognizes member accomplishments
• Photos: Alexander Fire's annual awards and installation dinner

Chief Steve Napolitano, Ryan Hinz, and Capt. Marty Hinz.

The first platoon: The new mentors for Ryan Hinz.

For Monday night training, Le Roy fire was joined by City fire for water flow training at the Dolomite Products quarry off Gulf Road in Le Roy. The crews worked on drafting, pump and ladder operations.

Chief Tim Hogle said, "Thanks to Dolomite Products Le Roy for letting us use their property. Good job to everyone involved."

Submitted photo.

Christina Matrella demonstrates how to provide first aid to a baby who is choking for state fire officials who spent Tuesday and Wednesday in Batavia for a series of training classes.

The classes, which included a range of topics, including hazardous material, provides state officials with uniform training that they can use to better assist and support local fire departments.

There are more than 200 state fire officials now, said Deputy Chief Brian Benstead, and getting them all in one place at one time for training and meetings can be difficult, so the agency is trying regional meetings and Batavia was chosen as a location in Western New York this training session.

"This is primarily our safety training like anyone else goes through, just like any other fire department or police department goes through on a regular basis," Benstead said. "Ours is enhanced by the fact that this is how we make that connection to the local communities and how we support them."

About 20 fire officials were in Batavia for the two days, staying at local hotels and eating at local restaurants.

The training was held at Batavia's fire headquarters.

Chief Stefano Napolitano said he was proud the state chose Batavia for a meeting location.

Olivia Bezon's classmates cheered when Engine 11 pulled into the parking lot at St. Joseph's School this morning with the first-grader as a passenger.

As a winner in the City Fire Department's fire protection poster contest, Olivia got the ride in the fire truck this morning as part of her prize.

Press release:

This week members of the New York State Department of Homeland Security, Office of Fire Prevention and Control, were in the City of Batavia to train members of the Fire Department in Confined Space Rescues.

This course provided practical training in confined-space hazards; air monitoring and ventilation; space isolation techniques; personal protective equipment, including both supplied air, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and respirators, as well as retrieval systems and retrieval methods. Practical evolutions enabled the members to evaluate a specific confined-space incident and perform the necessary procedures to safely and effectively rescue the victim.

Several confined space entries occur at businesses throughout the City each week. After completing this four-day, 32-hour course, the City of Batavia Fire Department now has 23 new Confined Space Rescue technicians ready to respond 24 hours a day should an incident occur. 

Press release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department is reminding everyone to change their clocks and change their smoke alarm batteries.

Daylight Savings Time ends this Saturday, Nov. 5th at 2 a.m.

“When you turn your clocks back one hour, it’s a great time to make sure your smoke alarms are working properly and to change the batteries,” said Chief Stefano Napolitano, City of Batavia fire chief.

“Plus with winter quickly approaching and most everyone turning their heating systems on, it also makes this an ideal time to make sure your heating system is working properly. This is a great opportunity to check your carbon monoxide detectors as well.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, 71 percent of smoke alarms which failed to operate had missing, disconnected or dead batteries.

Fire Prevention Officer for the City of Batavia Fire Department, Lieutenant Greg Ireland, knows how this simple but important task can be overlooked.

“As parents, we’ve got a lot on our minds -- jobs, busy schedules, mealtime; so it’s easy to let home fire safety slip from our radars. You never think a fire will strike your home, but it certainly could and it’s important to take as many proactive steps as we can to protect our families.”

The City of Batavia Fire Department would like to see every home in our community equipped with a working smoke detector. If you do not have a smoke detector or if you are unsure the batteries are working properly, members of the City of Batavia Fire Department will come to your home and ensure that you have a working smoke detector, absolutely free of charge.

Call (585) 345-6375 to set up an in-home appointment.

“The message is simple,” Chief Napolitano said. “Change your clock, change your batteries. Using that extra hour is a perfect time to do it.”

Press release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants on Monday, Oct. 30, from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the general area north of Main Street and east of Bank Street. Homes and businesses nearby will be affected.

These tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area. As in the past, please do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored. If you do experience a discoloration of your water, run cold water for about five minutes or until clear.

The children who were winners in the fire prevention poster contest sponsored by City of Batavia firefighters were invited to the station today for a pizza party and a tour of the fire hall.

For a list of winners, click here.

Press release:

City of Batavia firefighters are proud to announce the winners of their 5th Annual Fire Prevention Contest.

Two groups well known for their stellar response times, the Batavia Fire Department and Domino’s Pizza, have joined forces for Fire Prevention week Oct. 8^th to the 14^th.

Some people ordering Domino’s pizza were surprised when Engine 12 showed up to deliver their pizza. Ryan and Mark form the Batavia FD asked the customers that ordered pizza if they could inspect their smoke alarms. If the alarms were in working order, Domino’s would give them their pizza for free. If the alarms were not in working order, the Batavia FD would replace the battery or provide the residence with a free smoke detector.

Either way it’s a win for the lucky Domino’s customers. Batavia FD fireman Ryan, who became a fireman because his house burnt down, said at the first house they arrived at he heard a chirping smoke detector as they approached the door. That house now has a working smoke detector.

The Batavia FD also handed out fire hats and badges to the children they met when they delivered pizzas.

As they delivered pizza to our residence they were called away to a possible fire with smoke in a basement. After the call was cleared the firemen returned to make good on inspecting the smoke detectors and showing the children the fire truck.

This is a great example of business and local services working together for the good of the community they both serve. The only down side is your pizza may be cold by the time you are done explaining to your concerned neighbors why there was a fire truck in front of your house.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants on: Tuesday, Oct. 10th, from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the general area south of Main Street and east of Jackson Street; on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 11th and 12th, in the general area north of Main Street and East of Bank Street.

Homes and businesses nearby will be affected. These tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area. As in the past, please do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored. If you do experience a discoloration of your water, run cold water for about five minutes or until clear.

Press release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants on Monday, Oct. 2, from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the general area west of Bank Street and north of West Main Street.

Homes and businesses nearby will be affected. These tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area. As in the past, please do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored. If you do experience a discoloration of your water, run cold water for about 5 minutes or until clear.