This Week’s Volunteer Fire Company Of The Week is The Wendelville Volunteer Fire Company

This week's Volunteer Fire Company of the Week is The Wendelville Volunteer Fire Company. Member Diane McCollum shares their story:

Wendelville Fire company is located at 7340 Campbell Blvd. North Tonawanda, New York 14120. The Wendelville Fire Company was founded in 1921 in a donated building and land. The charter members remodeled the old building to better serve their needs. Their first piece of apparatus was a Model T Ford which was outfitted by American LaFrance. The fire company served the community in all types of emergency situations. They also provided a social aspect to the community with many dances, fundraisers, and the annual field days.      In the late 1960's, pressure from neighboring fire companies created the need to expand service in the town. A parcel of property was purchased on Main Rd in order to build a substation. Wendelville Hall 2 was dedicated  March 2, 1969. Also around this time an old schoolhouse was purchased from the town for a token fee. This building on East Canal Rd was remodeled, by the members,  to house fire apparatus and Wendelville Hall 3 was brought into existence. Hall 1 was finished as it  stands today on Campbell Blvd in 1977.    Ambulance service was first  provided in 1969. Emergency Medical Service now  accounts for around 75% of all calls. We are a NYS certified ambulance that provides a BLS level of care. We also utilize paramedic services form local companies. Today we provide emergency services for the Town of Pendleton which encompasses approx. 27 square miles. We also provide mutual aid assistance to the neighboring fire companies when needed. Our company utilizes 3 engines,   an ambulance, a brush fire truck, a cold water rescue trailer, and a fire prevention trailer to educate, serve and protect the Town of Pendleton. As of June 3 2010, Wendelville Fire Company now owns a thermal imaging camera. Training in the use of this device has already begun. This device is a multi-functioning tool that can be used for many different locate downed victims. It is used to find potential hot scenarios. First, this device is used at structure fires to spots during overhaul, and is an investigative tool used for above dropped ceilings. Second, the camera can be used in search situations. It can be used to help locate small children or confused senior citizens that have wandered from their homes. Another use is found at auto accidents, to help locate victims have wandered away or have been ejected from vehicle. Wendelville's Chief is Shawn Christman, 1st Assistant Chief is Joel Maerten, 2nd Assistant Chief is Andy Pilecki and 3rd Assistant Chief is Mark Walter. You can read more about Wendelville on their website at http://www.wendelvillevfc.com/index.htm.

If you would like to have your fire company spotlighted on our website, please email me your photo and bio to: johnlamond@wyrk.com

Thank you and God Bless All Firefighters Everywhere!