By Diana LaMattina
The Post-Standard (Syracuse, New York)
Copyright 2006 Post-Standard
All Rights Reserved
The Onondaga County Volunteer Firemen’s Association isn’t calling just for your money; it wants your time, too.
The association begins its annual fundraising phone drive this week. The group hopes to reach every house in the county over a three-month period.
The money raised supports the association, which hosts the Fire Safety Trailer, education and training for volunteer firefighters in the area.
“Financial donations are not our only goal,” said Gordon Kotars , publicity chairman. “If we could get just one volunteer for every fire department in the county, we’d consider it a success.”
For more information about the fund drive or recruitment, call them at 214-7004 or visit
Elbridge firefighters hold Halloween party
Volunteers and participants made the Elbridge Volunteer Fire Department’s fourth annual Halloween party a success, said Kelly Baker.
“Approximately 700 guests visited the firehouse to eat freshly made doughnuts, popcorn and to drink apple cider,” Baker said.
Girl Scout Troop 147 helped with the coloring contest and the candy corn count, pouring cider and serving doughnuts.
At this year’s event, the children took part in trying to dunk the witch in the dunking tank and a pumpkin decorating contest. Winners of the contest were Sherri Walter , Dylan Groom , Sean Ferguson , Kayleigh Ferguson and Kate Badman .
As firefighter Tim Baker thanked the other firefighters who helped organize and run the event, he mentioned the recent loss of David Prior , a firefighter who died of a heart attack recently.
“As the doughnut machine slowed down unexpectedly, and as the juice machine button stuck open as juice poured out, Tim couldn’t help but think that Dave was with us that night,” Kelly Baker said.
Two local fire departments send help to Buffalo area
The Camillus and Lakeside fire departments each sent an engine to the Buffalo area to help as the area cleaned up after a storm that left them buried under snow and without power.
The Onondaga County Emergency Management Department requested help from engine companies to help Erie County for 24 hours. Some of the volunteers took time off of work, a couple even without pay, said Chief Darrell Clisson , of the Lakeside Fire Department.
The Camillus Fire Department helped relieve the Depew Fire Station, which had been responding to 30 calls a day. Eric Gancarz , Robert Binns , Al Vetter , Paul Lukacs , John Abert and K. Neil Fossett arrived in Depew at around 8 a.m. Oct. 17 and left at 1:30 a.m. Oct. 18, said Gancarz.
The Lakeside department also sent an engine, with six volunteers, led by Assistant Chief Tim Woolsey .
Camillus’ Winn attends chiefs’ training conference
Camillus Police Chief Thomas M. Winn attended the 113th annual International Association of Chiefs of Police Training Conference in Boston.
At the conference, he attended seminars specifically for small police departments, including ones on crisis negotiations, speeding in residential areas, obtaining convictions with digital evidence and electronic control weapons.
“It’s clearly the most advanced and up-to-date training for police chiefs,” said Winn. “The presenters were from all over the U.S. and other parts of the world. It’s interesting to see that no matter where police chiefs came from, the issues are pretty much the same.”
At the conference, Winn mentioned vendors selling digital video cameras for marked patrol cars.
The Camillus Police Department received a $36,900 justice assistance grant through state Sen. John De Francisco’s office to purchase digital video cameras for each of its eight marked cars.
“We haven’t purchased them yet,” Winn said. “We’re hoping to have them in by the end of January.
Camillus police hire Hare to replace Salvagni
The Camillus Police Department hired Matthew L. Hare, 25, of Auburn, to fill the vacancy left by Capt. Mark Salvagni ‘s retirement.
Hare is a lateral transfer from Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office, where he served three years.
“The main thing that we went after when we did the search for candidates was personality and ability to deal with the public fairly and honestly,” said Chief Thomas M. Winn . “He learned how to handle a lot in the three years with Cayuga.”
Hare has a four-year degree from State University College at Potsdam.
Thomas becomes president of firemen’s association
Martin Thomas, of the Memphis Fire Department, has been sworn in as the Northern Central New York Volunteer Firemen’s Association president at the 57th annual banquet.
The association is a group representing volunteer fire departments from Onondaga, Cayuga, Monroe, Wayne and Oswego counties.
Drivers reminded when to use windshield wipers
Sgt. Marty Stevens , of the Skaneateles Police Department, wants to remind drivers to have headlights on when using windshield wipers. Also, headlights should be used a half-hour before sunset and a half-hour after sunrise.