From the Apalachin Fire Department
Chief's Corner

 The lazy days of summer have not been dull for the Apalachin Fire Department. 
• Welcome, New Member
 Derek Volberg is our newest member. Welcome, Derek! 

• Members Complete Training
 Gary Archer and Kyle Telfer have completed the training necessary to become Apparatus Operators, so congratulations go out to them. 

 Four of our members took time from their busy schedules to attend a
program on Methamphetamine Lab Awareness. Jan Warner, Al Warner, Debbie Phillips and Paul Phillips took this very pertinent class and are sharing what they have learned with the rest of the department members.

 Unfortunately, our county has a high rate of these illegal and extremely dangerous ‘labs', and the chemicals used to create this highly addictive and harmful drug are easily available, and highly flammable and toxic. The attendees learned about what signs to look for to identify that meth manufacturing may be taking place, something we all need to be aware of.

• Open Burning is Illegal 
 The recent flooding has left a lot of debris to clean up. Just a reminder that in the Town of Owego (which includes Apalachin) open burning of trash is illegal, as well as being very hazardous. Not only is there the risk of fire spreading in unintended ways, such as kindling grass fires, but the smoke and gases from trash and the contents of our homes is far more poisonous and toxic than many people realize. 

We firefighters wear breathing protection whenever we are exposed to smoke from this type of fire, so it must not be very good for anyone to breathe! Help protect our homes and air quality, and yourself- dispose of trash in approved ways.

• School's Open - Drive Safely 
Another way to pitch in with community safety is by being conscious that school is starting, and children will be around the roadsides, especially at morning and afternoon. Did you know that even fire trucks and ambulances on their way to an emergency have to stop for a stopped school bus with lights flashing? Children can be unpredictable, and they count on adults to watch out for them-let's not let them down.

• Fire Fighter I Class
 Apalachin will be hosting a Fire Fighter 1 class starting on Tuesday, September 5. This class, which is limited to 20 students, is an intensive, 28 session course that takes a new recruit from an untrained beginner to a qualified interior (able to fight the fire from within the building) fire fighter. 

 This training is among the best reasons to volunteer with your local fire department. A great deal of training is available for free to volunteers in New York State, and many courses can be applied towards a college degree. So if you've been thinking about joining us, but were concerned that you don't know how to be a fire fighter, put your worries aside. You provide the willingness to help out your community, and we'll provide the training! 

 Of course it's not all work and no play, as the department has several fun family events for members throughout the year, such as our clambake, and a holiday party for the children. Our members have a lot of varying interests; in fact one of our departments' bird watchers reported a rare species of owl was recently spotted on one of our member's porches!