Apalachin Fire Department

by Mary Ann Cascarino, AFD Chief

• Needed 
 Drivers, EMTs, Firefighters are needed. Training is provided and paid for by the Apalachin Fire Department. Call 625-2216 to see how you can help your neighbors as well as your own family. We are a volunteer department, with the exception of a paid paramedic and EMT for day time coverage. We  always need help for evening and weekend coverage. Step up to the challenge!

• Open House
October 11, 11 am - 2 pm
 We'll be having our Open House next month. You will be treated to displays, demonstrations, door prizes, refreshments, and an opportunity to meet your firefighters. Please join us! 

•  Training 
 In addition to weekly drills, our firefighters recently attended some extra training: NYS Intermediate Firefighter (36-hour course):  Sammi Garrett and Bill Walker;  NYS Fire Behavior and Arson Awareness (12- hour course):  Sammi Garrett and Jarvis Henderson;  NYS Hazardous Materials Technician (24-hour course):  Jarvis Henderson and Margie Pero;  Advanced Smoke Divers (16-hour course): Anthony Quaranta;  Rockland County Flashover Simulator (6-hour course):  Joe Betkavsky, Tom Bidwell, Ray Morgan, Chris Tyler; Accident Victim Extrication (16-hour course):  Joe & Lisa Betkavsky, Tom Bidwell, Mary Ann Cascarino, Jesse Garrett,  Stephanie Morrison,  Margie Pero, Dave Ritz, Christopher Tyler, Jan & Al Warner. 

• Help-A-Hydrant
 With the addition  new hydrants on Brookside Avene, West and Griffin Drive, we need community minded property owners to "Help-A-Hydrant" on those two streets in addition to the many other hydrants that are still in need of adoption. Call 625-2216 to see how you can help. 
 Special thanks to those who have stepped forward this past year. There were 62 helpers and we now have well over 200 hydrants, so please help your neighbors as well as yourself. Your task would be to keep the hydrant clear of snow for a three foot radius, and check for cracks or missing parts throughout the year. Your reward would be knowing if your house should catch fire, the firefighters won't be spending precious minutes clearing the snow when they could be hooking up the hydrant.

• EPI Pens & Albuteral
Our EMT-Basics are now qualified to administer EPI pens to patients in certain emergencies,  and we expect  them  to be qualified to administer albuteral as well in the near future. Previously, these two drugs could only be administered by our ALS personnel. 

• Glucometer Donated
 Special thanks to Therasense Company for donating two glucometers and lancettes. This meter is more user friendly for the EMT as well as the patient.

• Free Blood Pressure Screenings
Every Friday, 12 Noon - 1 pm
 Free blood pressure screenings are available at Station 1, 230 Pennsylvania Avenue every Friday, Noon to 1 pm

• Free Safety Brochures
 Free  safety brochures are available at Station 1 on many topics including Wood Burning Stoves, EDITH, Smoke Extinguishers, and many more topics

• Campfires
 Recreational campfires only are allowed in the Town of Owego. Other burning may take place if a permit is acquired from NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation.