West End Fire Department holds recruitment barbecue
The Belzak family were thrilled to take a dip in the drop tank which is used on a fire scene as a reservoir for trucks to siphon water to continue fighting the fire. WEVFD Chief, Frank Magee, said he considers the Belzak kids as his future fire fighters as it’s a large family.
West End Volunteer Fire Department Chief, Frank Magee and his wife, Louise, served around 60 hotdogs and over 80 hamburgers Saturday at the fire department. An open house was held for recruiting purposes but also as a community gathering. This was the first year a car show was added to this annual event. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
Many people may think that when a volunteer fire department needs help, they think of firefighters. They envision a raging 200-degree fire of an engulfed building wearing full protective gear of around 50 pounds, holding a 4-inch hose aimed directly at the flames just feet away from them.
Well, that is true. Those are the main stay frontline volunteers for a fire department and those brave individuals are always in demand.
That’s the situation with the West End Volunteer Fire Department in DeBorgia, but Fire Chief and chair of the board of trustees Frank Magee said there are other places they need help.
“We need people in all positions. If they can handle paperwork. If they can handle maintenance on the trucks or on the buildings. 90% of our calls are out there on the freeway and we need people to help with flagging for traffic control. Those with medical training are needed. I need people for all positions, really,” he said Saturday at their four-bay fire station.
A community open house was held for camaraderie, outdoor grilling and family fun, but there was a mission.
“We have seven, maybe eight [firefighters] right now. We’re down, and today is all about recruiting people to give us a hand. We hold this get together about this time every year and I thought we’d add a car show this time just to bring more people in,” as he points to several muscle cars and trucks on the lawn with their hoods up.
“We’re serving up burgers and hotdogs and it’s also a potluck with people bringing salads and desserts.”
This gathering has been taking place for at least five years and a chili cook-off was introduced last fall and that will take place at the end of October or November. But this was a day to develop interest, answer questions, show off the incredible equipment and sign-up volunteers.
“I’d like to have volunteers within 5 miles for response time, but we also have a fire department in Saltese with a crash truck to respond to accidents on I-90 and it would be wonderful to have a volunteer up there,” said Magee.
WEVFD Training meetings are every Monday night during the summer and then twice a month starting in late fall. Everyone on the fire team is Fire Fighter 1 and 2 certified and hazmat qualified. They do have women and a Junior Firefighter Program for volunteers under 18.
What is impressive is that every position from the chief on down is 100% volunteer. There isn’t a paid staff member anywhere on the roster which shows the commitment of the people.
The Training Officer, Bruce Charles, had another point in joining.
“You’re contributing to the community and having fun with some fabulous equipment. It’s an incredible education we offer and for those who may consider it a career, there isn’t a better place to get your feet wet than with this department.”
Charles also made mention that so many fire departments, such as the WEVFD, are basically all alone in fighting structure fires, especially with cuts on federal firefighters who are assigned to larger fires this time of year.
Games for kids were set up and a cornhole contest took place. A red drop-tank was made into a 3-foot swimming pool. Around 60 hotdogs and over 80 hamburgers were served as diners also enjoyed homemade goodies from the potluck tables.
At the end of the day, Damian Belzek received the Junior Fire Fighter Award. The car show winners were Tom Arrotta from Haugan with his 1948 Crosley Wagon which took 1st place and then he also took second place with his 1969 Chevy Camero. 3rd Place went to St. Regis Volunteer Fire Chief, Jerry Dockter and the 1964 fire truck which was purchased brand new by that fire department nearly 60 years ago.
For the potluck winners, Susan Charles was 1st with her Boston Beans. Katheryn Lower’s ginger cookies took 2nd place and Naomi Stevens took 3rd place with blueberry/huckleberry crumb bars.
St. Regis Volunteer Assistant Fire Chief Kat Kittridge and the Belzek Family were the main muscle behind cleanup at 8 p.m. as Magee was smiling and said, “I just ask that people call me at (208) 652-7700 and let’s see where they can fit in. And I do believe that was the best food I ever ate!”
