New Members 
 This month the Apalachin Fire Department welcomes five new members. Michael McClennan is a nationally registered EMT-Paramedic with many years of experience, and Joshua Nauman comes to us with fire-fighting experience gained at previous fire departments. Anthony Quaranta has grown up around the department, and now is following in his Dad's footsteps as a member. Susan Wells is excited about training as an EMS driver, and Ed Kohles is returning to the department after several years away.   Glad you're all here!

 The Membership Recruitment and Retention Committee is always looking for new ways to get the word out about the need for new members in the fire department. A lot of us are getting older, and though we remain active in some way, the extreme physical demands of interior fire-fighting demand younger, healthy, physically fit folk as well as well-trained, knowledgeable, experienced ones. People change jobs and relocate, often costing the department the services of trained volunteers, and some of our members are on extended leaves due to military service. 

Congratulations
 Congratulations go out to Joel Cacciaglia, Dave Edwards and Rebecca Staudt. These three individuals have completed the NYS Emergency Medical Technician course, involving many hours of classroom time plus hours of "clinical time", or field work. Now they have obtained their certification from New York State, they will begin the process of perception within the department. This allows our new EMTs to begin their EMS career with an experienced medic along to guide and help. 

Firemen's Field Days
 Drive away those winter blues with thoughts of the upcoming Firemen's Field Days! Mark your calendars for June 4, 5, 6, and 7. Chicken Barbeque every night, rides, games, food and prizes, fireworks on Friday, and parade on Saturday. Though it is still snowy, the department members are already hard at work preparing for this fun-filled event. Volunteers from the community are always appreciated!

Training
 Perhaps you noticed a lot of activity on Forest Hill Road on the night of Wednesday, February 13. Perhaps you wondered why there were fire trucks and ambulances on the street, and fire police directing traffic. That evening we were training with some of the equipment we use in car accidents, specifically, the air bags used to lift a vehicle from a trapped victim. Each of these bags, which can be inflated with compressed air from the same bottles we use in our breathing apparatus, is capable of lifting 51,000 pounds!

 In emergency services, as in sports, it is always best to ‘practice the way you play the game', and for us that means training in all weathers, and all around fire district. Another evening you might find us practicing drafting water from a dry hydrant, pond, stream, or even the Susquehanna, or working together with one or more of our neighboring departments. On the 13th, we were delighted to have colleagues from Southside Fire Department working alongside us during the mock accident.

 Another Wednesday in February saw members of the Ice and Cold Water Rescue Team from Campville Fire Department teaching our Apalachin responders some of the key points about responding to an emergency involving someone fallen through the ice. Many thanks to our brothers and sisters from across the river for their time and effort!

Did You Know
 Did you know there is a Mutual Aid Policy that directs how fire departments will call for help from other areas and respond, throughout the entire state of New York? Sometimes there are multiple fire departments at the scene of a fire or accident because certain departments possess specialized equipment or specially trained personnel. Sharing our resources in this way helps to provide the best coverage for all districts, while minimizing the costs for all. 

 In addition, in the wake of the tragedy of September 11, 2001, all the fire departments, ambulance squads and rescue teams in the nation have been asked to cooperate with the Department of Homeland Security in keeping track of what kinds of equipment and people-power are available in each area of the country, in case of a big disaster.

Lose Big
 Since physical fitness and our members health is such an important part of the fire service, many members will be participating in a "Biggest Loser" type competition, called "The Biggest Fat Loser" starting in March. This friendly contest focuses on lowering the body fat and raising the amount of lean muscle, also on improving cardio-vascular fitness and improving cholesterol levels rather than strictly weight loss. We are also hoping to encourage regular use of the Department's Fitness Center located at Station Two, and we are a pretty competitive bunch. Wish us luck, and we'll let you know how all the contestants are doing each month.

 Or, stop by Station 1 on Pennsylvania Avenue any weekday and talk to our day crew about joining the department-and come ‘lose big' with us!