Apalachin Community Press, June 2001

Apalachin Fire Department News

by Mary Ann Cascarino

The Apalachin Fire Department provides emergency services coverage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week free of charge. We are all volunteer and have an "on call" crew for our EMS calls Monday through Friday, from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am; and Saturday and Sunday, 24 hours a day. Due to lack of manpower during the daytime hours, we have no "on call" crew Monday through Friday from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. EMS personnel who are in town during those hours are expected to respond. Occasionally, there are no Apalachin personnel available weekdays between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm. We have therefore implemented simultaneous mutual aid response from the "nearest available" EMS unit to all our EMS calls Monday through Friday from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Some EMS units charge for their services. Therefore, you or your insurance company, may receive a bill for ambulance transportation depending on which EMS agency responds. Apalachin has recently signed a contract with Greater Valley whereby they will not charge Apalachin residents if they provide an emergency transport form the Apalachin Fire District. There is no charge to the Fire District or the tax payers for this contract.

There is always a need for additional EMTs, drivers, and firefighters. If you feel the calling, the Apalachin Fire Department will pay for your training, thereby enabling you to be part of the solution to our daytime coverage.

With the new bridge opening soon, we look forward to working more closely with our soon to be accessible neighbor, Campville. If you have any questions about any of our emergency services in Apalachin, call 625-2790.