Byron Fire Department

Press Release:

This year EMTs, Laura Platt and Tatum Higby from Byron Fire Department’s Rescue Squad, took first place in the NYS Basic Life Support competition. 

The EMS Games held this year at the Riverside Convention Center in Rochester on October 16-20 brought together teams of EMTs and Paramedics from across New York State for an exciting competition sponsored by Aura Prep and the BMCC Paramedic Program. The event featured a series of challenging, real-world scenarios designed to test participants' clinical skills, quick thinking, and teamwork under pressure.

Teams demonstrated their expertise in emergency response, patient care, and problem-solving, vying for top honors and recognition. The sponsorship by BMCC and Aura Prep highlighted their commitment to advancing EMS education and fostering a robust and skilled community of first responders across the state.

The workshop is designed to help first responders hone their knowledge and collect CME credits to maintain their license with the state. The last one held in Rochester was in 2017.

Besides Platt and Higby, Brad Nickerson, Squad Captain attended. Higby is an energetic 17-year-old who recently completed her Basic EMT Training in March of this year while attending Byron-Bergen High School as a junior.

Higby currently has completed all her CME credits for recertification, which is 3 years away. Higby was so excited when she learned that Vital Signs was being held in Rochester; she was eager to learn even more.

This year the council added a new twist for all attending. The games were held at the Strong Museum of Play on Saturday, October 19 in the morning. Each company was encouraged to sign up a team that would then participate in a “real life scenario.” Higby urged her mentor, Platt, to team up and compete. Higby created the team’s name, “Lil Legs of Byron.” 

Just before the “call” the teams consisting of two people were given a few minutes to familiarize themselves with the equipment available for them to use; and they were allowed 20 minutes to complete the call. 

The scenario that the Byron team was in a restaurant setting where an employee was having trouble breathing. The team accessed the scene and the patient, who was alone in the restaurant. The team used all their skills as they treated the patient with oxygen, EpiPen and albuterol to keep the patient alive because they were notified that the ambulance was 40 minutes away. 

The two teams that were in first place in both categories, EMT and Advanced, received medals. Both winners were also awarded a large trophy cup that they can keep and display for the year. It will eventually have their names and date engraved on it.

Team Lil Legs of Byron took the EMT first place. Second place went to Wayne County and third place to Madison County. The Byron Fire Department will proudly display their trophy in their hall.

Byron Fire Department held it’s 2024 recognition and installation of officers Saturday evening at the fire hall.  More than 100 people attended the event to honor volunteers who have served in the department. 

In the 2023 year of review presented by Captain Brandon Crossett, there were 226 total calls, 168 of which were EMS calls. John Durand had 196 Calls, Bob Mruczek 167, Edward Sharp 137, Brandon Crossett 126.

A moment of silence was given to Sgt. Thomas A. Sanfratello who passed away on March 10 in the line of duty.  A 50/50 raffle was raised for the family of Sgt. Sanfratello.  The winner chose to give their winning proceeds towards the total raised, which was $230.

In 2023 some significant mentions included the town board and community used funds to purchase a new town park and Byron rescue ambulance.

The Ladies Auxiliary presented awards that totaled 185 service years, and member of the year was Morgan Leaton.

Award highlights:

2023 Firefighter of the Year - Michael Alexander

Acknowledgement of Chiefs Award – Cory Russell

Most Training hours in Genesee County - Michael Alexander, 201

Training Award - Brandon Crossett 132 hrs

EMS Award - Debra Buck-Leaton EMT of the Year

Dedication of Service Award - Fire Chief Bob Mruczek

Recognitions:

Ken McKendrick Jr, 45 years of service

David Barringer, 50 years of service

Jim Hutchinson, 55 years of service

Other awards were given to, Pete Lochner, Steve Lochner, Joe Wells, Joshua Woika, Tammy Wells, Lori Mruczek, Morgan Leaton and Julia Wasinger.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Laura Platt was just settling into defrosting a freezer on July 7 when the alarm came in: somebody had a serious cut.

The Byron Volunteer Fire Department EMT grabbed her gear, making sure she had a tourniquet and plenty of gauze and was on scene about a minute later.

Somebody who provided first-aid to a man who suffered a large cut in his arm from a chainsaw had done a good job of slowing the bleeding by using a bungee cord as a makeshift tourniquet.

William Hallinan, trauma program manager of UR Medical Center, said some first responders think that would be enough but Platt, through training and experience, knew better. She applied a medical tourniquet. That stopped the bleeding and at a minimum saved the victim from losing his arm and probably saved his life.

For her efforts, Pratt was honored Saturday at the Byron Fire Hall by her department and UR Medical Center.

To become a volunteer in your community, visit ReadyGenesee.com.

Press release:

The Byron Rescue Squad along with local fire departments will be holding a 9-1-1 Food Call on Friday, May 29^th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Byron Bergen High School Campus.

Food donated will be given to The Salvation Army in Batavia for distribution.

The items in demand are: helper meal kits (hamburger and tuna) canned fruit, crackers and cereal. Any nonperishable food items will be welcomed to help us answer this 9-1-1 Food Call.

If these hours do not fit your busy schedule, donations can be left at the Byron Fire Department across from the Post Office in Byron on Route 262.

Please have your donations bagged and be advised that no one needs to exit their car at this event.

Volunteers will accept your donation as you pass through the high school campus. Byron Bergen High school is located at the intersection of Route 262 and West Bergen Road in Bergen.

For questions or to volunteer to help at the drive-thru, Contact Brad Nickerson at (585) 330-3584 or by email at:   bnickerson@albionk12.org

Thanks for answering this 9-1-1 Food Call!

The Byron Fire Department held its annual Sportsman Raffle on Saturday, with several items offered as prizes to those fortunate enough to buy the winning raffle tickets.

The event also included a bake sale and prize raffle offered by the Auxiliary.

An added fundraiser was a fill-the-boot campaign to raise money to assist the Payne family, who lost their home in a fire on Thursday night. Above, Chief Robert Mruczek with the donation boot.

Byron Fire Department will hold a Sportsman’s Raffle on Saturday, Sept. 30^th at Byron Fire Hall, 6357 Townline Road, Byron.

Doors open at noon, event is from 1 – 5 p.m., meal included with ticket.

Tickets ($20 each) for the event may be purchased from any member of our department.

Tickets may only be purchased by those 18 years of age and older.

Each ticket allows the holder entry on the day of the event, food (snacks & meal) and beverage, as well as a chance to win one of 15 prizes (refer to ticket itself).

Ticket holders do not need to be present to win; winners of firearms will be subject to federal background check. Event will also include a door prize, additional side raffles and pull tabs.

Proceeds benefit Byron Fire Department.

For more info contact Joe Wells 585-409-1270.

Chief Charles Durkee sent in these pictures from the Byron Fire Department's recent installation dinner.

Eddy Sharp received the award for most training hours and Robert Mruczek received Firefighter of the Year.

Durkee received a gift from the ladie's auxiliary -- a PIG axe. He said it is the first one in the county at a volunteer department.

Pictures courtesy Marie Bohn Studio.

The Byron Fire Department, incorporated in 1920, installed its new officers and honored its volunteers at a dinner in Byron on Saturday night.

Byron responded to 167 calls in 2010, with 131 of them for EMS, 11 car accidents, one working house fire, one small dump fire, one midsized dump fire, one large dump fire and one gas leak.

Howard Ivison was awarded a 60-year award and Lester Barnard was awarded a 67-year award.

Kevin McKenrick, Steve Lockner and John Durand were awarded their life memberships.

Zack Johnson and Eddie Sharp received the most training hours award.

Judy Yager was awarded a life membership in the Ladies Auxiliary.

Wayne Austin is the new chief. Former chief John Durand becomes 1st assistant chief. David Chup is president and Ken McKenrick Jr., is chairman of the board of directors. Tim McKenrick is president of the exempt officers and Laura Platt is president of the Ladies' Auxiliary.

More pictures after the jump: