Dodgingtown Fire Volunteers Seek New Members

By Andrew Gorosko

To encourage fire safety, increase its membership, and raise funds for its operations, the Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Company held an open house at its firehouse at 55 Dodgingtown Road on Saturday, October 29.

With the aid of Hawleyville volunteer firefighters and local ambulance volunteers, the Dodgingtown Fire Company simulated a patient extrication from a 1980s-vintage Chevrolet Monte Carlo coupe positioned behind the firehouse.

With one volunteer playing the role of a driver trapped in the auto after a serious motor vehicle accident, several firefighters used an array of hydraulic power tools to cut and pry open the car’s body panels to free the motorist from the wreck.

The simulation demonstrated to onlookers the skills and teamwork required to quickly free a trapped motorist from wreckage, so that medical care can be provided.

At the open house, the fire company displayed its four vehicles used for firefighting. They are a fire pumper, a tanker truck, a rescue truck, and a small pumper truck used for fighting brush fires. The company has distinctive white vehicles accented by dark blue striping.

Firefighter Nick Paproski served at the event’s coordinator. Chief Engineer Ronald Bolmer answered the questions of those attending the open house. The fire company displayed a range of materials on fire safety and about the company’s history within its meeting room in the firehouse.

Also, the Dodgingtown fire company provides instruction in fire safety to students at Head O’Meadow School, an elementary school on Boggs Hill Road.

Dodgingtown Assistant Fire Chief Kirk Blanchard, who is now serving as the company’s acting chief, said the organization is always seeking new volunteer members who work to protect lives and property in the Dodgingtown fire district. “We want more members,” said Assistant Chief Blanchard.

Assistant Chief Blanchard urged that people interested in becoming Dodgingtown volunteer firefighters to visit the firehouse at 7 pm on Monday nights when the organization conducts activities. The firehouse’s telephone number is 270-0564. People interested in joining the unit should ask for Assistant Chief Blanchard.

Regular members must be at least 18 years old. Junior members are 16 and 17 years old.