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" The Firefighter Newspaper " is published by The Erie County Volunteer Firefighter Newspaper , Inc .; a non-profit corporation staffed by volunteers from within the Erie County Fire Service and outside interests .
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Editor - President David F . Sherman
Vice President Marketing & Sales
Ric Dimpfl
Advisor James Kavanaugh
Distribution Manager James H . Guy
LEGAL COUNSEL
Steven M . Cohen Attorney - Hogan Willig
The Firefighter Newspaper is a compilation of articles submitted by independent writers who are not employed by , and are not in any way compensated by this non-profit publication . The views expressed by the writers are not necessarily those of this publication .
No responsibility for the content of any article is assumed , nor are any products advertised herein endorsed by the newspaper or its staff .
The Firefighter Newspaper reserves the right to refuse any editorial or advertising material submitted for publication . No material may be reproduced without the express written consent of this publication and / or its author .
The Firefighter
Cheektowaga storage space destroyed
by JULIE HALM Courtesy Bee Group Newspapers
Fire broke out at a privately-owned storage facility on Dale Road , Cheektowaga , just before 3 p . m . on July 15 , resulting in the loss of vehicles and collector ’ s items and closing down traffic on Walden Avenue for several hours . According to Cheektowaga Assistant Chief of Police Brian Gould , first responders found heavy fire on the scene when they arrived after multiple calls of a building on fire . Rescue Hose Company # 1 Chief James Wilson said that the situation was severe when members of his department arrived on scene . “ The fire was pretty much through the roof ,” he said . Wilson said that firefighters attempted to make an aggressive attack at the blaze , but were forced to back down from that plan due to the conditions . All of the fire companies from Cheektowaga responded to the scene , as well as receiving FAST assistance from Snyder Fire Department and Twin District Fire Department . Volunteer departments from other areas also provided assistance in covering the responding fire departments . According to Gould , there was an individual in the building when the fire began , but he was uninjured . Wilson said that two firefighters experienced minor injuries , but both were treated and released . While nobody was seriously injured , Wilson said that in his 14 years as a firefighter , he has only experienced one other incident of this magnitude and a fire of this size poses numerous logistical challenges . “ Manpower is difficult because those on the scene are working very hard ,” he said , adding that new firefighters must be rotated in when a call goes for that duration . Rehab stations were also set up at the scene , including a RV provided through the county , to allow firefighters to cool down and rest . Wilson noted that it was a particularly humid day , causing even greater physical demand on those at the scene . With fire apparatus running for that duration , fuel can also become an issue and Wilson said that a fuel truck also had to be called to the scene . “ There ’ s just so many things that don ’ t happen on a normal residential call ,” he said . According to Gould , the building was considered a total loss , and contained roughly 30 vehicles as well as boats and unique memorabilia .
Hartland FF dies in the line of duty
A Hartland Fire Company volunteer with more than two decades of experience was killed late Tuesday , Aug . 25 , in Somerset as she guided the driver of a fire truck when the vehicle backed into and ran over her , the Niagara County Sheriff ’ s Office reported . Judy Spencer was a firefighter who was acting in a “ fire police capacity ,” Niagara County Sheriff Michael J . Filicetti said . She was 65 . “ We ’ re obviously all grieving ,” said Hartland Fire Chief Bryan Ames . “ We ’ re trying to support the family of the victim as best we can .” Spencer was named “ Firefighter of the Year ” in 2017 by the Hogs and Heroes Foundation , according to a Facebook post . The fatal accident was reported about 8:40 p . m . on Quaker Road , where units from several fire companies had responded to a fire in a field , sheriff ’ s officials . About 50 hay bales between 8 and 10 feet in diameter were on fire , said Jonathan Schultz , director of Niagara County Emergency Services and fire coordinator . Extra crews had been brought in to help because of the hot and humid conditions , he said . Investigators from the Sheriff ’ s Office and Somerset town police determined a Barker Fire Department rescue truck was moving in reverse , southbound on Quaker , when the rig struck and ran over a fire police member from Hartland who was acting as a spotter for its driver . Spencer was in the road at the time she was hit but the particulars of the accident still are under investigation , Sheriff Filicetti said . He called the incident a “ tragic accident .” In a Facebook post Tuesday , Ames wrote Hartland is mourning the unexpected death of another of its volunteers , Merle Snell , a charter member of the company who
was well known as its mechanic and for his years of service at bingo nights and barbecue chicken dinners .
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ANTIQUE ON DISPLAY -- Despite a rainy start , this gleaming 1941 GMC pumper formerly owned by the West Brighton Fire Department ( Monroe County ) was a feature of the Toy Town Car Show in East Aurora on Aug . 22 . The rig is currently owned by Kyle Clever .
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PHOTO CREDIT : David F . Sherman