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Post by Clipper on Sept 23, 2008 6:50:27 GMT -5
I forgot about that station Westmoguy. In later years Dave, there was a couple of people assigned to those smaller stations to get the truck to the fire and to lay the hose. Manning at those small stations was sporadic, and changed from year to year and administration to administration.
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Post by kim on Sept 23, 2008 6:55:09 GMT -5
My husband's sisters, and to a lesser extent, my husband (he's 10 and 12 years younger than his sisters so he didn't hang out with them all that much!), used to hang out at station 12 when they were kids.
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Post by dgriffin on Sept 23, 2008 7:14:08 GMT -5
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Post by kim on Sept 23, 2008 7:31:26 GMT -5
I think the Lairdsville thing was about 6 years ago. I knew Alan Baird...he was a year behind me in school, and when I was in 8th grade and he was in 7th grade, we 'dated' for a few weeks. Basically called each other girlfriend and boyfriend and walked around the halls holding hands. Didn't last more than a month, if that. Alan was a nice guy, though, and even though I haven't seen him in probably 20 years, I've always felt badly about him having to serve time for that. I also feel horribly for the family of the person who was killed and for the person who was killed. None of that ever should have happened. From what I read and heard about it, though, I don't think Alan was at fault...I think he was doing what he was told to do.
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Post by kim on Sept 23, 2008 7:33:25 GMT -5
Ok, I found it...it happened in September of 2001.
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Post by Clipper on Sept 23, 2008 7:57:18 GMT -5
That truly was a tragedy Kim. I felt the same way you did about him having to serve time.
As a former professional firefighter as well as spending many years as a volunteer, I am 100% in favor of ALL "live fire" training being held at a county tower or a facility built for the purpose, and in making sure that only the proper fuels are used, and all precautions are taken to insure the safety of those involved. Fire is a very unpredictable and dangerous adversary.
While very sad and tragic for those involved, the incident resulted in changes in the way firefighters train, and will lead to increased safety for future training excercises. My sympathy is also with the families of those involved. Allen Baird was also a victim in this scenario, whether through his own misjudgement or that of others.
Other than those few volunteers that have gone to the sick side and set fires in order to put them out, I have a lot of respect for ALL volunteer firefighters that risk their lives and spend their time training to protect the property of others. God Bless them all.
One doesn't realize the magnitude of their sacrifice unless you have actually been inside a burning building with your own sweat steaming you like a lobster inside of your gear, or on the roof in the middle of a winter night, cutting ventilation holes, while trying to maintain your footing on ice and snow.
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Post by WestmoGuy on Sept 23, 2008 7:59:58 GMT -5
Yeah Kim. Alan Baird became the scapegoat for all that. Because of that 2 things changed:
1 - NYS changed the fire training regulations and no more "live" victims
2 - Lairdsville VFD ceased to exist.
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Post by Clipper on Sept 23, 2008 8:03:01 GMT -5
Westmoguy, wasn't Lairdsville a part of either Westmoreland or Lowell departments anyhow? Who covers that district now?
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Post by WestmoGuy on Sept 23, 2008 8:34:15 GMT -5
They were all part of the Town of Westmo Fire district I believe. They each had their own chiefs and such but pretty sure their was a governing board that oversaw them all.
Westmo goes to all the calls that Lairdsville did and I believe Lowell (my FD) is about done too. Westmo and Lowell go out to all the Lowell calls. From what I was told, there were less than 10 active members for the Lowell FD.
We have a big town as it is. I really dont see the need for 3 fire departments myself. Maybe use 1 of the other stations or something for calls on the opposite end of town or something.
Our town is kinda split by the Thruway. Only Cider St, Rt. 233, Lowell Rd. and Rt 26 to get from 1 end of town to the other.
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Post by jon hynes on Sept 23, 2008 10:00:05 GMT -5
There also was an old station on Eagle at maybe Neilson treet?? Neilson it was
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Post by jon hynes on Sept 23, 2008 10:04:56 GMT -5
There was a station at Blandina and Albany Streets. The last I knew they were useing it for the City Sign Shop.
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Post by jon hynes on Sept 23, 2008 10:11:21 GMT -5
Another Station was on the East side of Washington Street North of Lafayette Street.
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Post by jon hynes on Sept 23, 2008 10:17:02 GMT -5
There was the Old John Street Station that moved to Elizabeth Street
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Post by jon hynes on Sept 23, 2008 10:24:31 GMT -5
There was a station at Bleecker and Wetmore Streets also.
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Post by WestmoGuy on Sept 23, 2008 10:52:15 GMT -5
Bleecker & Wetmore was the sign shop which is now on the corner of State & Oriskany Street.
Wetmore's old house is now the Fire Training Academy I believe.
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