south byron

South Byron Volunteer Fire Company President Reggie Macdonald presents Melody Stone with his choice as Member of the Year during the annual fire company banquet.

The South Byron Volunteer Fire Company celebrated a year of achievements during its annual banquet Saturday night at South Byron Fire Hall.

Tim Yaeger, Genesee County fire coordinator, served as master of ceremonies and introduced guests during an evening filled with memories, recognitions and honors bestowed on members past and present.

Theresa Hammer gave the firematic membership report, in which she announced they have 48 members, 23 of which are active, and four new members. John Leaton is a life member.

South Byron lost one member, Jeremy Bateman, who died this year. His achievements included being Member of the Year in 1998 and was a past president.  Bob Fite read the Firemen’s Prayer in honor of Bateman. Fite added this year marks the 50th anniversary of South Byron’s fire hall.

In the membership report, Michelle Dougherty announced Melody Stone as a 20-year member.

In the absence of chief Brian Hickey, deputy chief Jacob Yasses presented the annual firematic report. The department responded to 79 calls, a steady increase from the previous year. These included fire calls, motor vehicle accidents, mutual aid, service calls and one natural disaster.

Jacob Yasses, Jeremie Rassel, Allison Gurgel, Vito Muoio and Matthew Dougherty were recognized as top responders.

The department completed more than 2,400 hours of training during 2022. Topping the list was Nicole Boldt, followed by Vito Muoio,  Jeremie Rassel and Allison Gurgel.

Jeremie Rassel announced Allison Gurgel as Firefighter of the Year.

“She is a huge asset to the department,” Rassel said. “She strives for excellence in everything she does for us.”

In choosing a Member of the Year, president Reggie Macdonald said it’s not about being at every call.

“Sometimes it’s what you do behind the scenes, stepping up whenever you’re needed and being there for our community, as well as the fire company,” he said.

He chose Melody Stone for the honor.

“I don’t know what to say,” Stone said. “I didn’t expect this, but I really appreciate it.”

Stone said she is following in her father’s footsteps.

Gurgel and Jacob Yasses presented a special Recognition Award to his mother Michelle Yasses.

“She has supported Allie and me at our training on Monday nights or during fire calls in the middle of the night,” Yasses said. “She helps watch the kids when Jake and Allie run calls on the rescue squad. I couldn’t run the number of calls I do without her.”

The final presentations were citations for “going above and beyond,” presented by Assemblyman Steve Hawley. They were presented to Jeremie Rassel, Vito Muoio and Brian Hickey for responding for assistance in the severe December 2022 snow storm which hit the area; Nicole Boldt and Vito Muoio, who responded to a call for a woman in labor, and delivered her healthy baby; and to Allison Gurgel and Nicole Boldt for their fast thinking in saving the life of a child who was choking.

Firematic officers for 2023 are Brian Hickey, chief; Jacob Yasses, deputy chief; Jeff Starowitz, assistant chief; Allison Gurgel, captain; Jeremie Rassel, 1st lieutenant; Vito Muoio, 2nd lieutenant and engineer, Chase Cone.

Administrative officers are Reggie Macdonald, president; Jeremie Rassel, vice president; Fred Klycek, treasurer; Katie Rassel, secretary; and Theresa Hammer, membership chair.

Members of the Auxiliary board are Michelle Dougherty, president; Andy Stone, vice president; Katie Rassel, treasurer; and Melody Stone, secretary.

The evening concluded with awarding of door prizes and benediction by the Rev. Harold Coller.

Members of the South Byron Volunteer Fire Company who were recognized for hours of training are, from left, Allison Gurgel, Jacob Yasses, Jeremie Rassel, Vito Muoio and Nicole Boldt.

Three top responders in the South Byron Volunteer Fire Company are Allison Gurgel, Vito Muoio and Matthew Dougherty.

Michelle Yasses, right, excitedly accepts a Special Recognition Award from her son Jacob Yasses and his fiancée Allison Gurgel at the South Byron Volunteer Fire Company banquet.

Photos by Virginia Kropf.

Don't forget to support these two volunteer fire departments on Sunday, Oct. 25, when each will offer drive-thru chicken BBQ to raise money for their respective departments in a year when opportunities to do so have been few and far between.

ELBA

A drive-thru chicken barbecue to benefit the Elba Volunteer Fire Department will be held on Sunday, Oct. 25 at the fire rec hall on Route 98 in Elba.

It starts at 11:30 a.m. and goes until sold out. Cost is $12.

Coronavirus protocols will be observed. Please wear a face mask and remain in your vehicle.

"Because of the (COVID-19) shutdown, last month was the first chicken barbecue we held this year," said an organizer, Barbie Starowitz. "It's sold out so fast! Now that we can be outside again we wanted to do another one. We're hoping for a nice (weather) day."

The address of Elba Firemen's Recreation Hall is 7143 Oak Orchard Road (Route 98). 

SOUTH BYRON

There will be a chicken BBQ fundraiser for the South Byron Volunteer Fire Company beginning at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 until sold out.

It will be held on a drive-thru basis at the fire hall, located at 7389 Route 237 in South Byron.

Cost is $12 per person.

Please wear a face mask and remain in vehicle.

A motor vehicle crashed into a pole and injuries are reported at 6378 Byron-Holley Road.

Byron and South Byron fire departments are called to the scene along with Mercy medics. Fire Police are called to set up a landing zone for Mercy Flight.

UPDATE 8:37 p.m.: RG&E is called to the scene.

UPDATE 8:42 p.m.: Mercy Flight is preparing to land behind the Byron Fire Hall.

UPDATE 8:57 p.m.: One patient is going by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital. Another patient is going to strong via Mercy EMS.

A pole and wires are down on the South Byron Post Office building, which has been evacuated. It's at 7545 Byron Holley Road. Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding. There is no smoke or fire.

Jeff Starowitz was named Member of the Year by the South Byron Volunteer Fire Department during an awards and installation dinner Friday night at the South Byron Recreation Hall.

Jennie Starowitz was honored for her 65 years of service to the South Byron department. Pictured in the front row are: Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Theresa Hammer, Bob Fite, Jennie Starowitz and Jeff Starowitz.

Lt. Vito Muoio was named Firefighter of the Year. Chief Brian Hickey, Muoio, and President Dean Bates.

Allie Gurgel completed the most training hours -- while also being a new mother -- in 2019.

Capt. Any Konieczny made it to the scene of the most calls in 2019.

Administrative officers for 2020: Dean Bates, president; Reggie Macdonald, vice president; Theresa Hammer, secretary; Alfred Klycek, treasurer; Bob Fite, membership chair; Al Secash, is Bell Jar chair; Rev. Harold Coller, chaplain.

Firematic officers for 2020: Brian Hickey, chief; Jim McKenzie, deputy chief; Jacob Yasses, asst. chief; Andy Konieczny, captain; Vito Muoio, 1st lieutenant; Jeff Starowitz, 2nd lieutenant; Chase Cone, engineer; Matt Dougherty, fire police captain; Aaron Belluscio, fire police sergeant; and Allie Gurgel, fire police corporal.

Video: Members of the South Byron Volunteer Fire Department reflect on being a volunteer firefighter.

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Submitted photo and press release:

Annual Foam Training was held for members of fire departments in Genesee and Orleans counties, with three-hour classroom sessions held in each of the counties followed up with a three-hour hands-on session held on Sept. 30 at the Genesee County Fire Training Center. 

The annual foam training centered on terminology related to firefighter suppression foam, application techniques, equipment, calculations used in accordance with NFPA 11 and water supply to perform foam firefighting or vapor suppression operations.

The 52 Genesee County participants were:  

ALABAMA

Press release:

Responding to concerns over the length of firefighting training programs, the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control has redesigned the Fire Officer I (FOI) program into five individual modules. Completion of all five modules will earn the participant a Fire Officer 1 certificate. 

Press release:

The community is cordially invited to attend an informational open house Tuesday, Sept. 10 for the Excelsior Energy Center, a 280-megawatt solar energy generating facility with 20 megawatts of energy storage proposed in the Town of Byron.

At the open house to be held at the South Byron fire hall, information about the project will be displayed on large poster boards.

Rather than a structured, formal presentation, the open house will provide many opportunities for any member of the public to speak directly with project representatives and subject-matter experts about questions they may have.

The public is invited to arrive anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., or 5 and 7 p.m.

Please arrive anytime during the hours above. Information will be provided and questions will be answered throughout the duration of these sessions. Each session will follow the same open house-style format containing the same information.

South Byron Volunteer Fire Department
7389 Route 237
South Byron

Above, Andy Konieczny, who was Fireman of the Year in 2018 at South Byron Volunteer Fire Company, presented this year’s award to Nicole Boldt at the annual banquet Saturday night.

SOUTH BYRON – In spite of declining membership, South Byron Volunteer Fire Company experienced one of its busiest years, Chief Scott Blossom told guests at the 44^th annual Installation and Awards Banquet Saturday night.

“We responded to 80 calls, about 20 more than average,” Blossom said in his chief’s report.

These included fire calls, motor vehicle accidents, ambulance assists and hazardous material incidents, as well as false alarms. The department’s 35 active members racked up 605 manhours, making this a very busy year, Blossom said.

One member, Ron Gonyea, who was lost last year, was remembered in a candle-lighting ceremony by membership chairman Bob Fite.

Byron Town Clerk Debra Buck Leaton installed officers for 2019.

Administrative officers are Dean Bates, president; Reggie Macdonald, vice president; Theresa Hammer, secretary; Alfred Klycek, treasurer; Bob Fite, membership chairman; Al Secash, Bell jar chairman; Dean Bates, sunshine chairman; and the Rev. Harold Coller, fire chaplain.

Firematic officers are Scott Blossom, chief; Brian Hickey, deputy chief; Jim McKenzie, assistant chief; Jacob Yasses, captain; Andy Konieczny, 1^st lieutenant; Nicole Boldt, 2^nd lieutenant; Vito Muoio, engineer; Chase Cone, fire police captain; Matt Dougherty, fire police sergeant; and Aaron Belluscio, fire police corporal.

Ladies Auxiliary officers are Theresa Hammer, president; Michelle Kukuvka, vice president; Melody Stone, secretary; Michelle Yasses, treasurer; Irene Fite, sunshine chairperson; Theresa Hammer, party chairperson; and Mariellen Blossom, chaplain.

Bates presented a check for $25 to Brad Nickerson for the Byron Rescue Squad and announced another $250 check will be sent to Mercy Flight.

Citations from Assemblyman Stephen Hawley and Jay Grasso on behalf of Senator Mike Ranzenhofer were presented to Al Secash in recognition of his 25 years of commitment to the South Byron Fire Company. 

Also recognized was Nicole Boltd for accumulating the most training hours. 

In addition, Boldt was chosen as “Firefighter of the Year.” Her award was presented by Andrew Konieczny, who received the award last year. Konieczny said Boldt puts her heart and soul into the South Byron Fire Company.

“Words can’t describe what this person does for this department,” Konieczny said. 

The honor of being named “Member of the Year” was bestowed by Bates on Fred Klycek.

Bates said Klycek has been a dedicated member of the fire department for a very long time.

“He is many things to many people – a husband, father and brother, and he has helped this organization move forward in so many ways,” Bates said. “He always has a positive attitude and goes above and beyond in all he does.”

Klycek has been a member of the South Byron Fire Department for 40 years. He said it takes a whole community to make the fire department succeed. He praised the guys who volunteer hours and hours every week and those who show up to help for a special event once a year.

One surprise award was given to Irene Fite for 50 years of service to the fire company and auxiliary.

Theresa Hammer, secretary of the fire company and president of the Ladies Auxiliary, said Fite has touched them all.

“She has a sense of humor and can make you laugh one minute, and the next she is serious and putting you in your place,” Hammer said. “The history of this person cannot be replaced.”

Bates said Irene’s insight and advice to others is very much appreciated. She also received citations from the New York State Assembly and Senate. 

The evening concluded with a 50/50 raffle and awarding of door prizes. 

All photos by Virginia Kropf.

Below, Irene Fite looks at a citation in her honor being read by Assemblyman Stephen Hawley on behalf of the New York State Assembly. Fire was recognized Saturday night for 50 years of service to the South Byron Volunteer Fire Company.

Below, Dean Bates, left, president of South Byron Volunteer Fire Company, and Theresa Hammer, president of the Auxiliary, present a service award to Irene Fite for 50 years of membership. Looking on at right are Assemblyman Stephen Hawley (taking Fite’s picture) and fire company Vice President Reggie Macdonald.

Below, Bob Fite, membership chair of the South Byron Volunteer Fire Company, honored member Ron Gonyea, who died during the past year, by lighting a candle in his memory. Seated at the head table, from left, are Theresa Hammer, president of the Ladies Auxiliary; Dean Bates, president of the fire company; Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, emcee for the evening; and Reggie Macdonald, vice president. 

Seven utility poles, possibly with power lines attached, are down in a field on Tripp Road near Townline Road in Byron. Byron and South Byron fire departments are called to investigate.

UPDATE 1:27 p.m.: National Grid crews are called to the scene.

The fire at 6123 Cook Road in Byron, which was first reported shortly after 7 o'clock last night, has rekindled. Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding.

"It's going fairly good," says a first responder at the scene.

UPDATE 5:48 a.m.: A pumper and a tanker from Elba are called to provide mutual aid.

A motorcycle accident with serious injuries is reported in Byron at 6153 Searls Road. The location is between Cook Road and North Byron Road. Mercy Flight is on ground standby. Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding along with Mercy medics.

Lines are down across the roadway at 7578 Byron Holley Road and Byron and South Byron fire departments are responding.