NY village eases firefighter recruitment rule

The changes extend the recruitment radius from one to two miles around Blasdell and lift a residential restriction

November 21, 2010 08:54 AM

By Eileen Werbitsky
The Buffalo News

BLASDELL, N.Y. — The Blasdell Village Board approved changes to the volunteer fire department regulations that will make it easier to attract recruits but will also increase the likelihood that new members are not residents of Blasdell.

Mayor Michael Petrie said the changes extend the recruitment radius from one to two miles around Blasdell and lift the residential restriction that required fire company members to live within the Town of Hamburg.

“It gives us more of an area to draw from — particularly Lackawanna and portions of West Seneca. It doesn’t limit us as much,” Petrie said.

In addition, the board raised the percentage of nonresidential fire company membership from 15 percent to 25 percent.

The proposal, effective immediately, was approved, 4-1, at the board meeting Wednesday, with Deputy Mayor Robert Warner voting against it. Warner, a longtime member of the fire company, said the mayor’s recent recruitment efforts had buoyed the ranks enough. He also raised concerns that a quorum of nonresidents at a fire company meeting could potentially alter the direction of the local firefighting squad.

Petrie acknowledged recent successes in recruiting new members — about 10 this year alone. He said the roster currently stands at 32, but he is most pleased about the growing ranks of active members.

Petrie is among a select group earning advanced status this year as an “interior” ranked firefighter. He said several recruits are working toward becoming EMTs.

In other matters, the Village Board announced a new tradition for the holidays — a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and Christmas party for local children and their families.

Scheduled for Dec. 11, the event will begin at Labelle and Lake avenues at about 6:30 p.m., followed by a Christmas party on the second floor of the firehouse. Other activities include a hay wagon ride and caroling.

Trustee David Adrian is seeking donations of lights for the ceremony. He said lights should be brought to Village Hall on Miriam Avenue, where they will be tested for safety.