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SEE ALSO: www.erie.gov/fire |
Mid-Town – September 16, 2001 --- Activated as part of the NYS Fire Mutual Aid & Mobilization Plan, Evans Center Chief Dennis Allen, Asst. Chief John Latimore, Paramedic Doug Milks, AEMT Mike Kauzala, AEMT Sarah Hull and EMT Mike Hontz responded with Evans Center's ambulance to New York City today.
The crew, along with EMS personnel from the Highland Hose Fire Company, also in the Town of Evans, is part of a convoy of 22 EMS units from across Erie County deployed to assist in the relief efforts of the World Trade Center terrorist attack disaster in New York City. The request came from the NYS Department of Health and the Office of Fire Prevention & Control for EMS crews and ambulances only.
Following a brief prayer ceremony lead by fire department Chaplain Rev. Donald A. Loos, the team left for staging at the Erie County Fire Training Academy in Cheektowaga NY to meet up with the other units.
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| Evans Center Firefighter/AEMT Mike Kauzala, Asst. Chief/EMT John Latimore, AEMT Sarah Hull, Chief/AEMT Dennis Allen, Firefighter/Paramedic Doug Milks and Firefighter/EMT Mike Hontz (L-R) pose in front of their station before embarking on the WTC Disaster Mission. |
Fire
Department Chaplain |
A total of 22 EMS units from across the county were deployed in the first wave of assistance from this area |
The first wave deployment consisted of units from Big Tree, Boston EMS, Chaffee-Sardinia, Clarence Center, East Amherst, East Seneca, Evans Center, Getzville, Harris Hill, Highland Hose, Lancaster EMS, Main-Transit, Marilla, Newstead, North Collins EMS, Orchard Park, Reserve, Scranton, Spring Brook, Vigilant, West Falls and Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Companies.
Emergency Services Commissioner Michael V. Walters and Deputy Commissioners James M. McCullough (Fire) and Greg Skibitsky (EMS) provided the crew leaders and their teams with pre-deployment instructions.
Father Joe Bayne attempted to prepare the teams as best he could, for the "hell" that they were going into," having spoken with others who have returned from "Ground Zero."
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| Firefighter/Paramedic Doug Milks proudly displays an American Flag in front of Evans Center's Ambulance while waiting for deployment instructions | The 130 EMS personnel sat in the Fire Academy’s drill tower while filling out the necessary accountability paperwork and waiting for deployment instructions | The convoy of ambulances was lead by Erie County Deputy Commissioner of EMS Greg Skibitsky and Fr. Joe Bayne, chaplain of the Department of Emergency Services in one the county’s command vehicles. |
Under the direction and coordination of Erie County's Deputy Commissioner of Emergency Medical Services Greg Skibitsky and Fr. Joe Bayne, the county's fire service chaplain, the crews will work a 24-hour shift in New York and return immediately to Erie County sometime on Tuesday.
The convoy was escorted to the Williamsville Toll Barrier on the NYS Thruway by eight patrol units from the Cheektowaga Police Department. They will connect with NYS Troopers around Albany and will be escorted into the hot zone.
It is not known at this time whether this will
be the last deployment. Other companies in the area are on standby, ready to go
at a moment's notice.
Photos by: Tiger Schmittendorf/EVANS CENTER PIO
Firefighting is not for everyone – but volunteering can be. Evans Center offers limited duty memberships in the areas of Fire/Rescue only, Fire Police only, Emergency Medical Services Only, Water Rescue only, or Associate only. Associate members support the fire department through administrative, technology, fund-raising, clerical and other non-emergency business functions.
If you or anyone you know are interested in volunteering, please do not hesitate to contact the Evans Center Fire Company at 716/549-1221 or fill our our feedback form or e-mail to: info@ecvfc.org
