Grand Island Fire Company, Inc. Website
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To contact the Fire Company Dial 773-4334
Administrative Officers 2009: President Mike Braun, Vice President Jeremy Pullano, Secretary Adrian Pilliod, Treasurer Tammy Jo Gorman, Sgt.-at-Arms Dave Khreis, Financial Secretary Anthony Mastantuono, Line Secretary David W. Cole.
Board of Directors 2009: Chairman Stephen M. Stouter, Vice Chairman Paul D. Gorman, Secretary Raymond Pauley, Mark T. Kowzan, Don Portik, Michael P. Dallessandro, David C. Tolejko
Island MVA Disrupts Mail Delivery - March 2010
By Ray Pauley - GIFC Public Information Officer
Grand Island Fire Company Rescue Personnel responded at 1:40 p.m. Saturday, March 13 to a multi-car MVA, which occurred in front of 783 West River Road, according to Fire Chief Greg Butcher.
Ajit Trivikram, 70, of Grand Island,reportedly "fell asleep" at the wheel and collided with a parked car and the rear end of a U. S. Postal Service truck, driven by Alan Bojarski, 60, of North Tonawanda, who was on his regular delivery route. The tremendous force of impact sent the mail truck careening off the roadway and approximately 60 feet across a driveway, two lawns and up against the neighbor's front porch. Bojarski was helped out of his vehicle and into the West River residence prior to the arrival of GIFC firefighters. He was evaluated by GIFC medics for non critical injuries, stabilized and transported to ECMC for additional medical attention. Despite considerable front end vehicle damage, Trivikram sustained minor injuries only and declined hospitalization.
Meanwhile, U. S. Postal supervisors arrived on location and secured undelivered mail.
All GIFC units returned in service at 2:52 p.m. after all vehicles were safely removed from the scene and traffic was restored, stated Chief Butcher.
Island Firefighters Welcome New Members for 2010 - Feb. 2010
Anderson, Benoit, Doyle, Thompson, Cieri, McCormick, Schmitz, (Dell absent) line up for training assignments from lead instructor Matt Osinski.
Click photo for larger view
By Ray Pauley - GIFC Public Information Officer
Fire Chief Greg Butcher reports that eight new members were recently voted into the ranks of the Grand Island Fire Company and will serve to bolster 'recruitment and retention,' which is a top priority for growth and stability within the volunteer fire service.
These recruits are Jeremiah Anderson, Jourdain Benoit, Robert Cieri, Galen Dell, Keith Doyle, Scott McCormick, Richard Schmitz, and Edith Thompson. It should be noted that Anderson's great grandfather was one of the GIFC's "founding fathers" during 1938. Cieri and McCormick have prior experience with other local VFDS. Benoit, Dell and Doyle also have some basic lifesaving training. Thompson is presently an emergency medical/fire dispatcher for the GIFC.
During the first week of February 2010, these individuals began a rigorous six-month training period which will prepare them for a lifetime of community service in the GIFC. Congratulations and good luck to these aspiring firefighters and paramedics who have chosen to serve their friends and neighbors.
Fire Co. Installation of Officers - January 2010
2010 Firematic Officers (top left) Bob Cleveland, Paul Gorman, Chief Kevin Koch, Matt Osinski,
Chris Soluri; (lower) Shawn Kephart, Pete Sukmanowski, Ed Krecisz, Jeremy Pullano
Click photo for larger view
By Ray Pauley - GIFC Public Information Officer
Town Supervisor Peter McMahon administered the oath of office to newly elected
Grand Island Fire Company officers on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at Fire Headquaerters. Both
firematic and administrative officers were sworn to uphold their community protection duties while
meeting the ever demanding challenges of emergency incidents which are expected to exceed 1600
during 2010.
As Greg Butcher commences his eighth term as Fire Chief, he will be joined by Deputy
Chief Kevin Koch, 1st Assistant Chief Matt Osinski, 2nd Assistant Chief Chris Soluri; Fire
Captains Ed Krecisz, Pete Sukmanowski, Shawn Kephart; Day Captain Paul Gorman, Fire Police
Captain Chuck Berlinger, and EMS Captains Bob Cleveland and Jeremy Pullano.
First time President Tammy Gorman will be assisted by Vice President Mike Anderson, Recording Secretary and
Line Secretary Adrian Pilliod, Financial Secretary Tony Mastantuono, Treasurer Dale Mock, and Sgt-at-Arms Dave Khreis. Mike
Braun will join the Baord of Review, while Clay Clark and Chuck Berlinger will service as Benevolent Association Trustees.
Paul Gorman and Ray Pauley were returned to three-year terms on the Board of Directors with Mike Braun
who will begin his first term.
Ladies Auxiliary President Nicole Butcher introduced her 2010 officers as follows; Vice President Mary
Becker, Secretary Julie Meyer, Treasurer Danielle Soluri, Sgt.-at-Arms Cathy Thomas, Chaplain Mary Becker, and Trustees
Barbara Wilson, Arlene Soluri and Teddy Linenfelser.
Chief Butcher proudly pointed out that there were many firefighters whose individual contributions
extended far beyond the call of duty. Among those were Ed Krecisz, who was commended for his 2009 training excellence.
John Podlucky and Tony Mastantuono (son of Financial Sec.) were given special recognition as "co-rookies of the year"
because of their outstanding overall performance.
Mike Braun was also singled out for his exceptional leadership as president over the past four years.
"Top Ten" responders for 2009 were led by Ray Pauley with 745 calls. Others in sequential order are:
Dale Mock, Ryan Shea, Greg Butcher, Kevin Koch, Tony Mastantuono, Peter Coppola, Mark Sadkowski, Rob Soluri, and Peter
McMahon.
Overshadowing these and many other noteworthy accomplishments however was a somber note of sadness
over the loss of four members. "Gone but not forgotten" are Levant Becker, Ronald McTigue, William Wood, and Kenneth
Sondel. It was noted that sturdy foundations laid by such members will continue to lead the way for the GIFC and its
new leadership team.
"Congratulations and good luck to these 'special' community protection volunteers, and a warm welcome
to new recruits Kevin Dilliot, Tony Mastantuono, John Podlucky, and Rob Soluri who have successfully completed all 2009
training requirements," Mr. Pauley said.
Mother & Infant Daughter Fatally Injured in Island MVA - 2010
Stephanie Ali and daughter, Grace
By Ray Pauley - GIFC Public Information Officer
Island Fire Chief Greg Butcher reports that at 6:24 p.m. Tuesday, January 5,
2009 Rescue Personnel responded to a two-car collision at 2695 Grand Island Blvd., just east of
Bedell Road. Both vehicles were reportedly southbound when one of the drivers lost control due
to slippery road conditions and was "T-boned" in the process. GIFC Paramedics initiated ALS
treatment upon Stephanie Ali, 22, of Grand Island and her five-month-old daughter, both of whom
sustained serious traumatic injuries. These effoerts continued during transport to Kenmore Mercy
Hospital. The driver of the other vehicle which was towing a trailer with snowmobiles, Michael
Szmanski, 43, of Niagara Falls and his passenger, Mark Szmanski, 17, claimed no injuries and
declined treatment. GIFC units remained on scene until 10:25 p.m. to assist Erie County Sheriff's
Dept. AIV officers during their ongoing investigation.
Click photo for larger view
2010 Firematic Officers (top left) Bob Cleveland, Paul Gorman, Chief Kevin Koch, Matt Osinski,
Chris Soluri; (lower) Shawn Kephart, Pete Sukmanowski, Ed Krecisz, Jeremy Pullano
Click photo for larger view
By Ray Pauley - GIFC Public Information Officer
Town Supervisor Peter McMahon administered the oath of office to newly elected Grand Island Fire Company officers on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at Fire Headquaerters. Both firematic and administrative officers were sworn to uphold their community protection duties while meeting the ever demanding challenges of emergency incidents which are expected to exceed 1600 during 2010.
As Greg Butcher commences his eighth term as Fire Chief, he will be joined by Deputy Chief Kevin Koch, 1st Assistant Chief Matt Osinski, 2nd Assistant Chief Chris Soluri; Fire Captains Ed Krecisz, Pete Sukmanowski, Shawn Kephart; Day Captain Paul Gorman, Fire Police Captain Chuck Berlinger, and EMS Captains Bob Cleveland and Jeremy Pullano.
First time President Tammy Gorman will be assisted by Vice President Mike Anderson, Recording Secretary and Line Secretary Adrian Pilliod, Financial Secretary Tony Mastantuono, Treasurer Dale Mock, and Sgt-at-Arms Dave Khreis. Mike Braun will join the Baord of Review, while Clay Clark and Chuck Berlinger will service as Benevolent Association Trustees.
Paul Gorman and Ray Pauley were returned to three-year terms on the Board of Directors with Mike Braun who will begin his first term.
Ladies Auxiliary President Nicole Butcher introduced her 2010 officers as follows; Vice President Mary Becker, Secretary Julie Meyer, Treasurer Danielle Soluri, Sgt.-at-Arms Cathy Thomas, Chaplain Mary Becker, and Trustees Barbara Wilson, Arlene Soluri and Teddy Linenfelser.
Chief Butcher proudly pointed out that there were many firefighters whose individual contributions extended far beyond the call of duty. Among those were Ed Krecisz, who was commended for his 2009 training excellence. John Podlucky and Tony Mastantuono (son of Financial Sec.) were given special recognition as "co-rookies of the year" because of their outstanding overall performance.
Mike Braun was also singled out for his exceptional leadership as president over the past four years.
"Top Ten" responders for 2009 were led by Ray Pauley with 745 calls. Others in sequential order are: Dale Mock, Ryan Shea, Greg Butcher, Kevin Koch, Tony Mastantuono, Peter Coppola, Mark Sadkowski, Rob Soluri, and Peter McMahon.
Overshadowing these and many other noteworthy accomplishments however was a somber note of sadness over the loss of four members. "Gone but not forgotten" are Levant Becker, Ronald McTigue, William Wood, and Kenneth Sondel. It was noted that sturdy foundations laid by such members will continue to lead the way for the GIFC and its new leadership team.
"Congratulations and good luck to these 'special' community protection volunteers, and a warm welcome to new recruits Kevin Dilliot, Tony Mastantuono, John Podlucky, and Rob Soluri who have successfully completed all 2009 training requirements," Mr. Pauley said.
Mother & Infant Daughter Fatally Injured in Island MVA - 2010
Stephanie Ali and daughter, Grace
By Ray Pauley - GIFC Public Information Officer
Island Fire Chief Greg Butcher reports that at 6:24 p.m. Tuesday, January 5, 2009 Rescue Personnel responded to a two-car collision at 2695 Grand Island Blvd., just east of Bedell Road. Both vehicles were reportedly southbound when one of the drivers lost control due to slippery road conditions and was "T-boned" in the process. GIFC Paramedics initiated ALS treatment upon Stephanie Ali, 22, of Grand Island and her five-month-old daughter, both of whom sustained serious traumatic injuries. These effoerts continued during transport to Kenmore Mercy Hospital. The driver of the other vehicle which was towing a trailer with snowmobiles, Michael Szmanski, 43, of Niagara Falls and his passenger, Mark Szmanski, 17, claimed no injuries and declined treatment. GIFC units remained on scene until 10:25 p.m. to assist Erie County Sheriff's Dept. AIV officers during their ongoing investigation.
