Two young firefighters have joined the City of Batavia department and are undergoing rigorous training on day shifts.
New to the department are Collin Byrne, 23, of Rochester, and Michael Dorgan, 21, of Gates (originally from Brockport).
Byrne is a graduate of John Jay College with a criminal justice degree and Dorgan has a two-year degree from Monroe Community College in fire protection technology. He's enrolled at Empire College where he's pursuing a degree in fire service administration.
"We're both really excited to learn the area and serve the community as best we can," Dorgan said.
Dorgan said firefighting runs in his blood. Both his father and uncle are career firefighters and his grandfather is a lifelong volunteer firefighter.
"I'm excited to be here," Byrne said. "I became a firefighter to do some good, to help people out and because it's an honest living."
Below is a picture from one of their training sessions on Friday. The training was on low-angle basket rescue, which was conducted off South Jackson near the old bridge that crossed the railroad tracks.
WOW ! It's hard to believe
WOW ! It's hard to believe that genesee co. does'nt have any qualified firefighter's at the top of the recent city fire test,after all the praise they have gotten in the Batavian regarding their outstanding work at major call's recently throughout our county. God Bless are local volunteers. They are true friends and family not just a hiring statement. The new city chief got the two people he wanted from his home county.
If local, qualified residents
If local, qualified residents were bypassed, the comment might be relevant. To suggest that local, qualified residents were bypassed -without any supporting evidence- seems spiteful. Maybe these two, new-hires would relocate here and make the criticism moot. Maybe they wouldn't want to live in a place where outsiders aren't welcome. Seems odd, we don't mind non-residents spending money at our race track/casino, hotels, theme parks and farm markets- just don't stick around!
Well CM make some phone calls
Well CM make some phone calls and find out if what im saying is true. There was plenty of qualified local firefighters on the list. When your making your calls ask about the chief changing who could take test from outside Genesee co. prior to this new test given . He had old list (which was only 6mo. old) thrown out for lack of qualified people on list.
Joe, can you name any city
Joe, can you name any city resident who was in the top 3 on the civil service list who was passed over? And if so, will you come to the next Council meeting and make that complaint to Council?
No John I cant a city
No John I cant a city resident in years past was the only way to get a city fire job. For several years it was open for all county resident's. Only this past test was it opened to outside Genesee co.Make's me go hmm but i can tell you the number 1 &2 on the list did not get hired .
If you know who Number one
If you know who Number one and two are, why are you reluctant to bring it to the attention of the council?
Joe, For a City job, I would
Joe,
For a City job, I would want a city resident if they scored high enough to be reached under Civil Service Law. If there was no City resident in the top 3 spots, for a City job (you have to hire from the top 3) then as a City resident, I don't care where they came from, as long as they are the best candidates.
Where do #1 and 2 live?
They both live in genesee co.
They both live in genesee co.