Alexander Fire

The second night of the Alexander Fire Department's annual tractor pull was another screaming success with a big crowd.

Photos by Nick Serrata.

Photos by Philip Casper

Alexander Fire hosted a DWI drill on Thursday at its Rec Hall for Alexander High School seniors.

The fatal accident simulation is designed to remind the students of the dangers of drinking and driving and the impact one poor decision can have on the lives of friends, family, and the community.

Area volunteer fire departments from throughout the county hold DWI drills at this time of year in advance of prom nights.

Photos by Philip Casper.

Alexander Volunteer Fire Department members were proud to show off their renovated rec hall on Saturday during its 2024 awards and installation dinner.

With freshly painted walls, ceiling and a newly poured epoxy floor, the $50,000 renovation gives the hall a fresher, newer look.

It was also a night to recognize a few of the department's key contributors in 2023, including Firefighter of the Year Matt Pietrzykowski, who responded to a fatal fire in February.  He was the firefighter who found the deceased's body and was commended for his career and professionalism in handling the situation.

Jim Burkhardt and Regan McPhee were named EMS Providers of the Year. 

Regan McPhee received the Chief's Award.

The newly installed officers are, on the Firematic side:

• James Burkhardt, chief
• Nathan Fix, deputy chief
• Thomas Green, 1st assistant chief
• Anthony Johnston, 2nd assistant chief
• Matthew Pietrzykowski, 3rd assistant chief
• Jenny McPhee, EMS captain
• Todd Fleenor, EMS lieutenant
• Nicholas Yackeren, truck lieutenant
• Lance Scharlau, training captain
• Bernie Fix, safety officer
• John Meier, parade chairman
• Heidi Richmond, parade co-chairman

Administrative officers:

• Sean McPhee, president
• Thomas Green, vice-president
• Amanda Donnelly, recording secretary
• Heidi McPhee, financial secretary
• Barbara Pietrzykowski, treasurer
• Robert Spiers, chaplin
• and, trustees Matthew Fernaays, Nathan Fix, Amanda Donnelly, Nicholas Yackeren, Anthony Johnston, Darlene Merle, Matthew Pietrzkowski, and Matthew Grimes.

Press Release:

Plans are already underway for the 20th Annual Celebrate Agriculture Dinner which will take place Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 6 pm at the Alexander Fire Hall.

This annual event is a celebration of Genesee County’s #1 Industry, Agriculture! The highlight of the night is a delicious meal using locally produced foods prepared by the Culinary Arts Students from the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center. Led by Chef Alberto Santos and Denise Kaus, Culinary Arts teacher aide, this will be the third year of this perfect collaboration between the Chamber’s Agricultural Committee & Culinary Arts Program. 

The dinner is open to the public. Tickets are on sale now at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, 8276 Park Road, Batavia. Tickets are $30 each or a table of 10 can be purchased for $275. Sponsorships are also available which help support agriculture educational events in Genesee County. 

Only 400 tickets will be sold. Tickets must be purchased by February 24, 2024. For more information or to download the registration flyer visit the Chamber’s Website www.geneseeny.com.

The Celebrate Ag Dinner is coordinated by the following partners: Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, Genesee County Soil & Water Conservation District, and Genesee County Farm Bureau.

Sponsors of the 2023 celebration included: Alleghany Farm Services, Arctic Refrigeration, Baskin Livestock, Inc., Batavia Muckdogs, Carolina Eastern Crocker, CPL, Farm Credit East. ACA, Farm Family Insurance, Fieldstone Private Wealth, Freed Maxick CPA, Junction Motor Freight, L&M Specialty Fabrications, LLC, Lamb Farms, LandPro Equipment, Lawley, L-Brooke Farms, LLC, Monroe Tractor, My-T Acres, National Grid, OXBO International, Perry Veterinary Clinic, Sackett Farms, Torrey Farms, Western New York Energy, LLC, Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. William Kent, Inc. and Windy Acres Farm.

Farms and businesses that donated locally grown food for the 2023 dinner included: Dorman Farms, Farm Fresh First, Inc/Nortera Foods, Fenton’s Produce, Harrington’s Produce, SJ Starowitz Farms, Torrey Farms, Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc., Kreher Family Farms, Daves Ice Cream, Doug & Peggy Torrey, Yancey’s Fancy. 

For ticket information or questions contact Kelly B. at The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, 585-343-7440 or kbermingham@geneseeny.com.

Press Release:

Boy Scout Troop 6650 trailered canoes and kayaks to Glenwood Lake in Medina on June 11. Boy Scout leader Jeremy Green, a certified canoe expedition guide, led the group after discussing water safety & first aid, canoe handling, and confirming that strict BSA guidelines were met for all equipment and PFD's.

Fourteen Scouts and leaders paddled their way from the lake's boat launch to the falls and back again. It was the perfect day to wrap up another year of Scouting.

Troop 6650 begins the new Scout season this Fall at the Alexander Fireman's Rec Hall on Route 98 at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, September 12. Anyone wanting more information about the Scouting program can contact the Western NY Scout Council at (716) 891-4073.

Press release:

The Alexander Fire Department is again hosting its Annual Valentine's Steak Dinner and Dance on Saturday, Feb. 18. at the Alexander Fire Hall, 101505  Main St., Alexander.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with dinner at 7:00 p.m. 

Music by our favorite local band Red Creek! 

Tickets are $30/single and $50/couple.  Each ticket includes two bar drink tickets. A cash bar is available.  Advanced tickets only by calling Heidi at 585-813-6598.

File photo by Philip Casper

Back in October, a woman was hit by a vehicle in Alexander, and the injuries were serious.

Two Alexander firefighters arrived quickly on scene, along with EMS Captain Ryan Hinz.

Hinz said he knew it was bad as soon as he arrived on the scene, but it turned out the firefighters, not necessarily trained as medics, were able to step in and assist. 

The firefighters were Paul Hirsch and Patrick Pietrzykowski.

"And I've got to give a ton of credit to these two guys because, by the time the engine got there, we had done everything we could to the point where, when the ambulance pulled up for Mercy (EMS), we put her in, and they were going," Hinz said. "These two guys gave her the best possible chance that they could have."

Hinz awarded Hirsch and Pietrzykowski certificates of appreciation for their efforts at Saturday's installation and awards banquet for the Alexander Volunteer Fire Department.

Other awards that night included firefighter of the year and the chief's award.  Tim Yaeger, Genesee County's emergency management coordinator, also administered the oath of office to the 2023 officers for Alexander.

The department also held a short service to honor firefighters who have departed. 

2023 Firematic Officers:

• Paul Hirsch, chief
• James Burkhardt, deputy chief
• Dean Hendershott, 1st assistant
• Sean McPhee, 2nd assistant
• Thomas Green, 3rd assistant
• Ryan Hinz, EMS captain
• Jenn McPhee, EMS lieutenant
• Anthony Johnson, truck captain
• Nicholas Yackeren, truck lieutenant
• Nathan Fix, training captain
• Matthew Pietrzykowski, training lieutenant
• Marshall Merle, safety officer
• John Meier, parade chairman
• Heidi Richmond, parade co-chairman

Service awards:

25-year members: Thomas Lowe and Tammy Kreutter

Social:

• Brian Anderson - social - 50 years
• James Bouton - social - 50 years
• George Buckenmeyer - social - 70 years
• David Feary Jr - active until 1991 - 40 years
• Charles Hirsch - active until 1997 - 40 years
• Arnold Kirch - active until 1991 - 60 years
• Myron Kirch - active until 1991 - 60 years

Active:

• Martin Hinz - active - 40 years
• William Hirsch Sr. - active - 60 years
• Ralph Robbins - active - 50 years

Ryan Hinz was named Firefighter of the Year

Anthony Johnston received the Chief's Award from retiring chief Marshall Merle for 2022.

The department did not hold an installation and awards dinner in 2022, so Nicholas Yackeren received a belated Chief's Award for 2021.

The Alexander Volunteer Fire Department hosted its annual tractor pulls on Saturday.

Red Creek provided the evening's musical entertainment.

Photos by Philip Casper.

The Alexander Fire Department got a legally necessary nod of approval on Monday night to purchase a new $488,572 new fire engine.

The 2023 Spartan Rescue Pumper will be financed by the Bank of Greene County and as part of the financing package, the fire department needed the Town Board of Alexander to pass a resolution supporting the purchase in order to get an exemption on sales tax.

The department will be replacing the current Engine 7, which is a 1998 Spartan. 

Department leadership researched various financing options and choose Greene because of the 2.74 percent interest rate and a lack of penalty for early payoff.

After a $200,000 down payment, the department will finance $284,660 of the purchase.

The new truck has a Cummins ISL 450 HP engine, Allison 3000 EVS transmission. It can carry 1,000 gallons of water and 20 gallons of foam. It pumps 1,500 gallons per minute.  The Harrison 6K generator can power the LED lighting system.

While LED lights are harder for Mercy Flight pilots to see, using LED lights saved the department a substantial amount of money because generators with greater capacity are more expensive. Department personnel will use flares at night when the truck is deployed to a Mercy Flight landing zone.

The department will attempt to sell the old engine but Assistant Chief/Department President Dean Hendershott said the current market is flooded with used fire apparatus.  He said they will try to get the best price they can for it.

Photo: Assistant Chief/Department President Dean Hendershott with a schematic of the new fire truck.

Dozens of pulling tractors and modified diesel trucks with the Empire State Pullers and Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League put on a show Saturday to a completely packed house at the Annual Alexander Fire Department Tractor Pulls. Red Creek brought the party and played to a crowd of hundreds in the beer tent to finish off the night.  

Class winners from the pulls are as follows:

• SF: Frank Payne, Pure Luck
• LSS: Roy Metz, Git-R-Done
• MOD: Tom Durfee, Thumber 2
• LPSDT: Jennifer Pushlar, Hellfire
• HSS: Henry Everman, Final Decision

Photos and information by Philip Casper.

From Barbara Eddy:

This weekend the Alexander Fire Department E.S.P. Tractor Pull returns!

It will be held Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Recreation Hall grounds, 10708 Alexander Road, Alexander.

Cost: Adults: $16; children 6-12: $8; 5 years and under free.

Classes include: Super Farm, Light Super Farm, Limited Pro Stock Diesel Truck, Heavy Super Stock and Modified Tractors.

Friday at 5 p.m. will include a take-out only Chicken BBQ by the Ladies Auxiliary. Saturday will feature our popular local band "Red Creek" from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the beer tent.

Food tent will be open! Hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian sausage, pizza, nachos, hot pretzels, fried dough, french fries and plenty of cold beverages served both nights.

Plenty of food and drink for all ages! It's time to get out and come to Alexander for the roar and excitement of the Alexander F.D. Tractor Pull!

From Barbara Eddy:

The Alexander Fire Department will be hosting a drive-thru Father's Day Chicken 'n' Ribs BBQ on Sunday, June 20th from noon - 1:30 p.m.

Meals are as follows: Chicken only $12; Ribs only $16; and Chicken 'n' Ribs Combo $18. Sides will include mac 'n' cheese, baked beans and cornbread.

No grilling necessary for Dad on his day!

For preorder call (585) 356-3301 or (585) 507-9930.  

The Alexander Fire Department is hosting a drive-thru only Mother's Day Chicken BBQ on Sunday, May 9th, from 12-1:30 p.m.

Meal includes half chicken, mac salad, salt potatoes, roll and cookie all for $12/meal.

Don't make Mom cook on her day! Preorder your meals by calling (585) 356-3301 or (585) 507-9930.

Barbara Eddy wrote an email today to The Batavian saying: We have about 100 meals left. We really need to sell out. Thank you again, as always."

Press release:

The Alexander Volunteer Fire Department Inc. Spring Gun Raffle, via Facebook Live, will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 10^th.

Prizes include 10 rifles, six shotguns and two pistols. Grand Prize is a Barrett Firearms Model 99 rifle .50 BMG w/bi-pod and case.

All previous tickets drawn will be re-entered for the grand prize drawing.

Guns are supplied by Sugarbush Armory, Attica.

Tickets are $20 each and are available at Alexander Country Deli, JDubs Pizza and Subs, Sunnyside Cycle or by calling (716) 870-6431 or (585) 507-9930.

The Alexander Fire Department is having a drive-thru chicken 'n' rib BBQ fundraiser on Sunday, Aug. 30th, starting at 11:30 a.m at their Recreation Hall at 10708 Alexander Road, Alexander.

Your choices include: half chicken w/sides for $12; quarter chicken and ribs w/sides for $15; or ribs w/sides for $12.

Dinner will include roasted potatoes, corn on the cob, roll w/butter and a brownie.

To guarantee your dinners, call ahead for your presale order at (585) 356-3301.

Press release:

Out of an abundance of caution and uncertainty of local and state restrictions/conditions in the month of July, the Alexander Fire Department Truck and Tractor Pull, originally scheduled for July 10^th and 11^th has been cancelled.

It is not the decision that we wanted to make but it was the necessary one for this year. The fans, pullers, sponsors, and vendors deserve the very best from us and given the conditions that we have been placed in with the COVID-19 pandemic it is not feasible at this time. 

We thoroughly love bringing all the people to Alexander Fireman’s Grounds for our event and do not want to compromise anyone. Protecting and serving our community is our first priority and we take our responsibility seriously. 

The Alexander Truck and Tractor Pull is one of our major fundraisers which helps Alexander Fire Department to function and we take great pride in making the Pull a great event each year. We cannot do this without the volunteer help, support of the community and local businesses. We cannot afford to take this risk and endanger the physical and financial condition of our group. 

We appreciate the support of our fans, pullers, vendors, sponsors, volunteers, friends, family, and Empire State Pullers. We look forward to returning July 9^th and 10^th, 2021 and invite you to join us then for some of the best truck and tractor pulling. Mark your calendars!

Thank you,

Alexander Fire Department

Press release:

The Alexander Fire Department has been monitoring the potential impact of the COVID-19 and is following the current recommendations from the Centers of Disease Control and the New York State Health Department. 

After thorough discussion and concern for our community members and our volunteers, the following decisions have been made regarding events that have been scheduled at our Recreation Hall:

• All Boy Scout, Cub Scout and Girl Scout activities have been cancelled until further notice.
• Spring Gun Raffle – March 28th, Saturday – This event for the public will not take place. However, there will be a drawing of the 15 ticket prizes at 7 o'clock tonight (March 28th) on Facebook Live. To access the link, go to our Facebook page “Alexander Firemen’s Recreation Hall.” We will also upload the ticket drawing to YouTube under “Alexander F.D. Spring Gun Raffle 2020.” 
• Breakfast with the Easter Bunny – March 29th, Sunday – Cancelled.

Press release:

The Alexander Fire Deptartment is hosting their Annual Spring Gun Raffle from 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 at their Recreation Hall at 10708 Alexander Road, Alexander.

The $20 ticket admits one person; food, beer, pop included.

The main ticket includes a total of 15 guns: eight rifles, four shotguns and two pistols, plus the Grand Prize -- a Barrett Firearms Model 99 Rifle .50 BMG w/bi-pod and case.  

There will be seven more guns included in floor raffles. The door prize is a DPMS Oracle NY SAFE Compliant Rifle .223/5.56.

There will be additional door prizes, bell jar and 50-50 raffles. 

Tickets are available at the Alexander Country Deli or by calling Nate at 716-870-6431 or Barbara at 585-507-9930.

Guns are supplied by Sugarbush Armory, Attica.

Proceeds benefit the Alexander Volunteer Fire Department.

The Alexander Fire Department is hosting their annual Valentine’s Steak Dinner & Dance on Saturday, Feb. 15^th, at their Recreation Hall at 10708 Alexander Road, Alexander. 

There will be an open bar from 6:30 to 9 p.m. with dinner at 7 o'clock.

Music by a favorite local band Red Creek!  

Tickets are $25 per person or $45 per couple.

Tickets are limited and must be reserved by calling Heidi at 585-813-6598.