Apalachin Fire Department

by Mary Ann Cascarino

SARS 
 For more information on SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) go to www.cdc.gov.

Homeland Security
 The Department of Homeland Security  says  terrorism forces us to make a choice. Don't be afraid, be ready. Dial 1-800-Be-Ready (1-800-237-3239) for information on how to make a kit, make a plan, and be ready. Or, go to www.ready.gov.  

Quit Smoking
April 19, Saturday, 9 - 10 am
 Would you like to quit smoking, but nothing seems to work? Everyone  is welcome to attend a free one-hour smoking cessation presentation on Saturday, April 19, from 9:00 to 10:00 am. Learn which methods work and which methods don't. Presenter is Chuck Frampton from Lourdes Occupational Health Program. To sign-up, call 625-2216 by April 16. Just leave your name and phone number and you're in. 

AFD Statistics
 Here are some statistics about the Apalachin Fire Department that you might be interesting in knowing. 
 The AFD Fire District covers 35 square miles and serves approximately 8,000 residents. It is zoned as approximately 70% agricultural, 5% commercial, and 25% residential. For the first quarter of 2003, AFD responded to 144 emergencies. Of those, 94 were medical emergencies, 23 were motor vehicle crashes, and 27 were fires and miscellaneous calls. Since January, our personnel received more than 1,000 hours of Fire/EMS training. 

Our Volunteers
 Listed below are those who have attended the required training and are qualified to respond to emergencies:  

 Interior Firefighters (Green Tags - those who go in burning structures when everyone else is coming out) Lt. Joe Betkavsky, Chief Mary Ann Cascarino, Lt. Chris Graham, Asst. Chief Jarvis Henderson, Lt. Mark Knaul, Tony Quaranta, Dave Ritz, Asst. Chief Mike Roden, Will Roden, Blaise Ryan, Capt.Bill Walker.
 
Exterior  Firefighters (Yellow Tags - those who attack the fire from outside the structure)  Don Conning, Capt. Pete Damico, Wayne Frye, Jeff Garrett, Sammi Garrett, Capt. Jack Kelly, Lt. Jim Kelly, Ruth Kunz, Capt. Scott Kunz, Bill Meyn, Fred Meyn, Ray Morgan, Margie Pero, Debbie Phillips, Roy Runyon, Dale Sacharov,  Capt. Al Warner, Lt. Jan Warner.

 Support Firefighters (Red Tags - those who provide support outside the danger zone) - Eric Benjamin, Vic Bird, Don Baumbach, Tom Bidwell, Mike Braunscheidel, Capt. Ken Brinkman, Mike Chilson, Cliff Fuller, Jesse Garrett, John Harrington, Karen Hogg, Dave Kresge, Krystal Lason, Alicia Loso, Mike Merrill, Joe Morrison, Peter Morrison, Lou Petrei, Paul Phillips, Becky Roden, Bill Siebert, Kaley Siebert, Lisa Siebert, Lt.Dave Springer, Carl Squires, Steve Starner,  Ryan Telfer, Chris Tyler, Marie Tyler, Lt. Ed Watts.

 In case you didn't know, these are all volunteers. In addition to those listed above, we have life members and those on educational and military leaves of absence. These individuals will be listed in a future issue of Community Press. AFD also contracts with the Village of Owego for a paramedic and an EMT for weekday coverage from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. 

Join AFD  
 Are you thinking about joining the Apalachin Fire Department? Simply stop by Station #1 at 230 Pennsylvania Avenue for an application. Fill it out and return it. We'll then be in touch with you for an interview.  

AFD Field Days
 This year, the Annual Apalachin Firemen's Field Day will be held on  June 4,5,6, and 7. You depend on us - we depend on you!

The Nines Have It
 This is the 90th year that AFD has been of service to you, the 9th year of our "Safe Home" and "Help-A- Hydrant" Programs, and our membership has consistently been in the 90s for the past 17 years.