Old Gear for a Good Cause

Changing safety standards and advances in fire science technologies have lead to safer and lighter firefighter turnout gear. The changes over the last sixty years have also created a bit of a dilemma. What should be done with all of the old gear? Our 9-2, Nick Siminiski, found an elegant solution in the "9/11 Fund" out of NYC. We were happy to hear that the 750 pounds of old gear that we sent to the fund in January has been combined with gear from other companies and sent to Parague to help fill the needs of firefighters there.

Junior's Spaghetti Dinner 2013

The East Concord Juniors would like to say a big, "THANK YOU!" to the community.  The annual Spaghetti Dinner was a big success and couldn't have happened without you.  We hope that you got the chance to come by and enjoy the wonderful sauce and ring the bell on your way out.  We'll see you next year!

The Tree House

This is a story about a little girl who wanted a tree house.  Her father, a carpenter, promised to build her one.  Together, they picked out the perfect tree, overlooking the pond, and planned just how the tree house would look.  Just when her father was ready to start on the tree house, he got sick.  The medication for his illness made him too sick to build the tree house that year.  Next year, he promised, the medication would help him get better, and they would build the tree house.  The little girl told him not to worry that the treatment would make him better, and they would build the tree house next year.  But, next year, the illness was back again, and this time medication and treatment were not going to help him get better.  The father was sad and worried that he would not be able to keep his promise to his daughter.  While he was in the hospital, her father worked very hard, even though his right hand did not work very well, and he drew a picture of the tree house he wanted to build.  He hoped the picture would be enough to keep his promise to his daughter.

Then something magical happened.  One day, someone came to the little girl's house and measured the tree.  Another day, lumber was delivered.  On a bright, sunny Saturday morning, people came to the house.  They brought tools, food, an auger to dig holes, and a beautiful red roof.  On that day a tree house was built, and a father was able to keep his promise to his daughter.   And, his daughter said that it was the best day of her life.

This is also the story about how a community - family, coworkers, friends, strangers, and local businesses - helped a father keep his promise.  Thank you to all who were involved "building" the tree house, especially Matt Willibey, Mark Wagner, and the "building crew" from the East Concord Fire Hall, the Preschool Learning Center for their generous donations toward supplies and food, the "guys" at Gui's Hardware for the hardware, House of Steel for the beautiful roof, Tri County Tool Rental for the auger, Lowe's for the discount on materials and delivery, and the Holland Class of 1982 for their generous donations.  A special thank you to Mr. Sikora, Mr. Cain, and the Guilds for all their help with the build.

Reprinted with permission from Jill Hemingway.

2012 Tractor Pull Canceled

The East Concord Fire Department has canceled the 2012 Tractor Pull. We suffered a great loss today and have decided to cancel the event out of respect for the family and so that we may devote our efforts towards honoring and remembering our fellow EMT/Firefighter. We hope that you will understand.

2012 Championship Truck & Tractor Pull

The 2012 ECFD Tractor Pull is coming up this weekend. The stock classes will start at noon and the WNY Pro Farm Puller's will start at 6 PM. We have been prepping the grounds and getting ready for Saturday, June 2nd. If it gets rained out on Saturday, we'll try again on Sunday, June 3rd.

Adult admission is $12, under ten is $6, and kids under five get in for free. Make sure to bring your ear protection, but no carry-ins (refreshments are available on the grounds).

A special thank you to our big sponsors:
    

    


See you on Saturday!

Chief Willibey on Wood Stove Safety

The tragic fire on Christmas morning in Stamford, Connecticut that claimed the lives of three children and their grandparents was traced back to a bag of ashes that was left near the back door of their family home. Although many of us who live in rural areas are used to thinking of the removal of ashes as a normal cold weather chore, it is important to remember how dangerous ashes can be. In an interview for the Buffalo News in early January, Chief Willibey said, "Embers can stay hot inside the ashes for up to four days -- hot enough to start a fire, because the ashes act as an insulator. My suggestion is that you put ashes and embers into a steel container, put some water on them, and close the container with a tight-fitting lid. A fire needs three things to burn -- fuel, oxygen and heat. The tight-fitting lid removes the oxygen, and the water reduces the heat." He added that the container should not be used for household waste other than ashes and that the few minutes that it takes to move the ashes away from the side of the house can save a lot of hardship.

East Concord Fund Drive a Success!

The ECFD volunteers would like to send a big "thank you" out to our community for the support that you show us in so many ways. The fund drive that was sent out this past fall has brought us many donations and touching letters that have made us smile and are helping us make a number of improvements to our community services. We love visitors and are always down at Hall #2 on Rt. 240 and Genesee on Monday nights at 7 PM. Let us give you a tour and show you what we do.