River Road Volunteer Fire Company Incorporated
Encyclopedia
The River Road Volunteer Fire Company Incorporated was the third of six fire districts created in the Town of Tonawanda, New York. The Town of Tonawanda, New York (Tonawanda (town), New York
) is in Erie County of Western New York. The Town of Tonawanda includes the Ellwood Fire District, Kenilworth Fire District, Sheridan Park Fire District, Brighton Fire District and the Village of Kenmore Fire Department.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 20.4 square miles (52.8 km²), of which, 18.8 square miles (48.7 km²) of it is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²) of it (7.66%) is water.
The north border of the town is the City of Tonawanda and Tonawanda Creek
, which is part of the Erie Canal, and the west border is the Niagara River
. Ellicott Creek
flows parallel to Tonawanda Creek in the northern part of the town, with a confluence just east of the Niagara River. The east border, marked by US Route 62 (Niagara Falls Boulevard), is the Town of Amherst
. Forming the southern border is the Village of Kenmore
and the City of Buffalo
.
The River Road Fire Company is quartered at 59 Kaufman Avenue in a cramped two-bay station. The current firehouse is in rough shape, showing its age, having been built originally in 1929 with the founding of the fire company. There has been work on a new firehouse which will be situated across the street in a lot owned by the Fire District. Preliminary sketches and architectural plans have been made, with the goal of construction starting April 2011.
In the 90s the membership had shrunk to the point where there was talk of disbanding River Road or merging them into another town fire company.
However since 2002 membership at the River Road Fire Company has grown.
Minimum Equipment on Engines/Pumpers from NFPA 1901 2009
Chapter 5 Pumper Fire Apparatus
Fire Pump - a minimum rated capacity of 750 gpm/min.
Pumper With an Aerial Device - If the pumper is equipped with an aerial device, then these apply.
The aerial device shall meet the requirements of NFPA 1901 Chapter 19.
On Board Water Tank.
The pumper shall be equipped with a water tank(s) that meets the requirements of NFPA 1901 Chapter 18 and that has a minimum certified capacity (combined, if applicable) of 300 gallons (1,135.6 l).
Tools and Equipment Storage.
A minimum of 40 cubic feet (1,132.7 l) of enclosed weather-resistant compartmentation that meets the requirements of NFPA 1901 section 15.1 shall be provided for the storage of equipment.
Hose Storage.
Hose bed area(s), compartments, or reels that comply with NFPA 1901 section 15.10 shall be provided to accommodate the following:
A minimum hose storage area of 30 cubic feet (849.5 l) for 2.5 in. or larger fire hose
Two areas, each a minimum of 3.5 cubic feet (99.1 l), to accommodate 1.5 in. or larger preconnected fire hose lines
Tools and Equipment Supplied by the Contractor.
The contractor shall supply the equipment listed below and shall provide and install such brackets or compartments as are necessary to mount the equipment.
Ground Ladders.
All ground ladders carried shall meet NFPA 1931. At a minimum, the following ladders shall be carried on the apparatus:
Suction and Supply Hose.
Minor Tools and Equipment.
The following equipment items shall be available on the pumper fire apparatus before the apparatus is placed in service.
Fire Hose and Nozzles.
Miscellaneous Equipment.
If the pumper is equipped with an aerial device with a permanently mounted ladder, four ladder belts meeting the requirements of NFPA 1983, Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services, shall be provided.
If the apparatus does not have a 2 in. intake with NH threads, an adapter from 2 in. NH female to a pump intake shall be carried, mounted in a bracket fastened to the apparatus if not already mounted directly to the intake.
If the supply hose carried has other than 2 in. NH threads, adapters shall be carried to allow feeding the supply hose from a 2 in. NH thread male discharge and to allow the hose to connect to a 2 in. NH female intake, mounted in brackets fastened to the apparatus if not already mounted directly to the discharge or intake. (4)
However, most calls in the area of the River Road Fire District are classified Fire Protection District 1 with a full response from all town and village fire companies.
and the Honorable State Assemblyman Robin Schimminger
with thanks to Governor David A Paterson (David Paterson
).
Specifically this law amends through exempting River Road Fire District #3 from subdivision 7 of section 176-b, of Town Law that mandates Fire Districts to have no more than forty-five Percent non-resident membership.
The Governor David A Paterson (David Paterson
) signed this proposed bill into law on July 21, 2008.
The Ladies Auxiliary after being disbanded for over 20 years was officially resurrected in September 2008. This was one of the goals that President Misiura wanted to achieve in his term.
The transitional board that was elected in August 2008 was:
Social Officers
Tonawanda (town), New York
Tonawanda is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a population of 78,155. The town is at the north border of the county and is the northern suburb of Buffalo...
) is in Erie County of Western New York. The Town of Tonawanda includes the Ellwood Fire District, Kenilworth Fire District, Sheridan Park Fire District, Brighton Fire District and the Village of Kenmore Fire Department.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 20.4 square miles (52.8 km²), of which, 18.8 square miles (48.7 km²) of it is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²) of it (7.66%) is water.
The north border of the town is the City of Tonawanda and Tonawanda Creek
Tonawanda Creek
Tonawanda Creek is a small river in Western New York, in the United States. William Bright says the best that can be said of the name is that it is "probably from an Iroquoian source, but of unclear derivation".-Description:...
, which is part of the Erie Canal, and the west border is the Niagara River
Niagara River
The Niagara River flows north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. It forms part of the border between the Province of Ontario in Canada and New York State in the United States. There are differing theories as to the origin of the name of the river...
. Ellicott Creek
Ellicott Creek
Ellicott Creek is a stream in Western New York, United States. It is a tributary of Tonawanda Creek, which in turn into the Niagara River.-Course:...
flows parallel to Tonawanda Creek in the northern part of the town, with a confluence just east of the Niagara River. The east border, marked by US Route 62 (Niagara Falls Boulevard), is the Town of Amherst
Amherst, New York
Amherst is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 122,366. This represents an increase of 5.0% from the 2000 census. The town is named for Jeffrey Amherst, a British Army officer of the colonial period...
. Forming the southern border is the Village of Kenmore
Kenmore, New York
Village of Kenmore is a village in Erie County, New York, in the United States. The population was 16,426 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area....
and the City of Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
.
History
Formed in 1929, River Road is the smallest firematic district both in size and residences in the Town of Tonawanda. The River Road Fire District occupies a small sliver of three residential streets in an area where heavy industry surrounds its district on all sides. There are several major industrial points of interest in the Fire Protection District #1 area including the Dunlop Tire Plant, Dupont Chemical Plant, FMC, 3M, GM Powertrain Plant and the NRG Huntley Power Plant. This abundance of heavy industry showcases the necessity for a fire station in this heavily industrial area of the town.The River Road Fire Company is quartered at 59 Kaufman Avenue in a cramped two-bay station. The current firehouse is in rough shape, showing its age, having been built originally in 1929 with the founding of the fire company. There has been work on a new firehouse which will be situated across the street in a lot owned by the Fire District. Preliminary sketches and architectural plans have been made, with the goal of construction starting April 2011.
In the 90s the membership had shrunk to the point where there was talk of disbanding River Road or merging them into another town fire company.
However since 2002 membership at the River Road Fire Company has grown.
Class A Pumper
Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program (AFGP)Minimum Equipment on Engines/Pumpers from NFPA 1901 2009
Chapter 5 Pumper Fire Apparatus
Fire Pump - a minimum rated capacity of 750 gpm/min.
Pumper With an Aerial Device - If the pumper is equipped with an aerial device, then these apply.
The aerial device shall meet the requirements of NFPA 1901 Chapter 19.
- If the aerial device is equipped with a permanently mounted waterway, the fire pump shall be capable of supplying the flow requirements of NFPA 1901 Chapter 19.6.1, 19.12.1, or 19.16.1 with a maximum intake gauge pressure of 20 psi.
- Ensure that the pump operator is not in contact with the ground.
- Signs shall be placed to warn the pump operator of electrocution hazards.
- Four ladder belts meeting the requirements of NFPA 1983.
On Board Water Tank.
The pumper shall be equipped with a water tank(s) that meets the requirements of NFPA 1901 Chapter 18 and that has a minimum certified capacity (combined, if applicable) of 300 gallons (1,135.6 l).
Tools and Equipment Storage.
A minimum of 40 cubic feet (1,132.7 l) of enclosed weather-resistant compartmentation that meets the requirements of NFPA 1901 section 15.1 shall be provided for the storage of equipment.
Hose Storage.
Hose bed area(s), compartments, or reels that comply with NFPA 1901 section 15.10 shall be provided to accommodate the following:
A minimum hose storage area of 30 cubic feet (849.5 l) for 2.5 in. or larger fire hose
Two areas, each a minimum of 3.5 cubic feet (99.1 l), to accommodate 1.5 in. or larger preconnected fire hose lines
Tools and Equipment Supplied by the Contractor.
The contractor shall supply the equipment listed below and shall provide and install such brackets or compartments as are necessary to mount the equipment.
Ground Ladders.
All ground ladders carried shall meet NFPA 1931. At a minimum, the following ladders shall be carried on the apparatus:
- One straight ladder equipped with roof hooks
- One extension ladder
- One attic ladder
- Stepladders and other types of multipurpose ladders meeting ANSI A14.2, Ladders — Portable Metal — Safety Requirements, or ANSI A14.5, Ladders — Portable Reinforced Plastic — Safety Requirements, with duty ratings of Type 1A or 1AA shall be permitted to be substituted for the folding ladder required in 5.7.1.2(3).
Stepladders and other types of multipurpose ladders shall be permitted to be carried in addition to the minimum fire department ground ladders specified in 5.7.1.2 provided they meet either ANSI A14.2 or ANSI A14.5 with duty ratings of Type 1A or 1AA.
Suction and Supply Hose.
- A minimum of 20 ft (6.1 m) of suction hose or 15 ft (4.6 m) of supply hose shall be carried.
- If hard suction hose is provided, a suction strainer shall be furnished and the friction and entrance loss of the combination suction hose and strainer shall not exceed the losses listed in NFPA 1901.
- If soft suction hose is provided, it shall have couplings compatible with the local hydrant outlet connection on one end and the pump intake connection on the other end and suction hose shall meet the requirements of NFPA 1961, Standard on Fire Hose.
- The Fire Department shall specify whether hard or soft suction hose is to be provided, the length and size of the hose, the type and size of the couplings, the manner in which the suction hose is to be carried on the apparatus, and the style of brackets desired.
Minor Tools and Equipment.
The following equipment items shall be available on the pumper fire apparatus before the apparatus is placed in service.
- Brackets or compartments shall be furnished so as to organize and mount the specified equipment.
- A detailed list of who is to furnish the items and the method for organizing and mounting these items shall be supplied by the purchasing authority.
Fire Hose and Nozzles.
- 800 ft (243.8 m) of 2.5 in. or larger fire hose
- 400 ft (121.9 m) of 1.5 in., 1.75, or 2 in. fire hose
- One handline nozzle, 200 gpm/min minimum
- Two handline nozzle, 95 gpm/min minimum
- One playpipe, with shutoff and 1 in., 1 in., and 1 in. tips
Miscellaneous Equipment.
- One 6 lb (2.7 kg) flathead axe mounted in a bracket fastened to the apparatus
- One 6 lb (2.7 kg) pickhead axe mounted in a bracket fastened to the apparatus
- One 6 ft (1.8 m) pike pole or plaster hook mounted in a bracket fastened to the apparatus
- One 8 ft (2.4 m) or longer pike pole mounted in a bracket fastened to the apparatus
- Two portable hand lights mounted in brackets fastened to the apparatus
- One approved dry chemical portable fire extinguisher with a minimum 80-B:C rating mounted in a bracket fastened to the apparatus
- One 2 US gal (7.6 l) or larger water extinguisher mounted in a bracket fastened to the apparatus
- One self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) complying with NFPA 1981, Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for Fire and Emergency Services, for each assigned seating position, but not fewer than four, mounted in brackets fastened to the apparatus or stored in containers supplied by the SCBA manufacturer
- One spare SCBA cylinder for each SCBA carried, each mounted in a bracket fastened to the apparatus or stored in a specially designed storage space
- One first aid kit
- Four combination spanner wrenches mounted in brackets fastened to the apparatus
- Two hydrant wrenches mounted in brackets fastened to the apparatus
- One double female 2.5 in. adapter with National Hose threads, mounted in a bracket fastened to the apparatus
- One rubber mallet, suitable for use on suction hose connections, mounted in a bracket fastened to the apparatus
- Two salvage covers each a minimum size of 12 ft (3.7 m) × 14 ft
- Two wheel chocks, mounted in readily accessible locations, each designed to hold the apparatus, when loaded to its maximum in-service weight, on a 20 percent grade with the transmission in neutral and the parking brake released
- One traffic vest for each seating position, each vest to comply with ANSI/ISEA 207, Standard for High-Visibility Public Safety Vests, and have a five-point breakaway feature that includes two at the shoulders, two at the sides, and one at the front
- Five fluorescent orange traffic cones not less than 28 in. high, each equipped with a 6 in. retroreflective white band no more than 4 in. from the top of the cone, and an additional 4 in. retroreflective white band 2 in. below the 6 in. band
- Five illuminated warning devices such as highway flares, unless the five fluorescent orange traffic cones have illuminating capabilities
- One automatic external defibrillator (AED)
- If the supply hose carried does not use sexless couplings, an additional double female adapter and
double male adapter, sized to fit the supply hose carried, shall be carried mounted in brackets fastened to the apparatus. - If none of the pump intakes are valved, a hose appliance that is equipped with one or more gated intakes with female swivel connection(s) compatible with the supply hose used on one side and a swivel connection with pump intake threads on the other side shall be carried. Any intake connection larger than 3 in. shall include a pressure relief device that meets the requirements of 16.6.6.
One double male 2.5 in. adapter with National Hose threads, mounted in a bracket fastened to the apparatus
If the pumper is equipped with an aerial device with a permanently mounted ladder, four ladder belts meeting the requirements of NFPA 1983, Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services, shall be provided.
If the apparatus does not have a 2 in. intake with NH threads, an adapter from 2 in. NH female to a pump intake shall be carried, mounted in a bracket fastened to the apparatus if not already mounted directly to the intake.
If the supply hose carried has other than 2 in. NH threads, adapters shall be carried to allow feeding the supply hose from a 2 in. NH thread male discharge and to allow the hose to connect to a 2 in. NH female intake, mounted in brackets fastened to the apparatus if not already mounted directly to the discharge or intake. (4)
Firematic Calls
Since the district that River Road protects is so small, the amount of calls responded to within that district are minimal. River Road does respond to the area known as Old Town, a residential area adjacent to the GM Powertrain Plant as well as bordering the City of Buffalo's Riverside neighborhood.However, most calls in the area of the River Road Fire District are classified Fire Protection District 1 with a full response from all town and village fire companies.
Emergency Medical Services
River Road as with all town companies does not respond to EMS calls with the exception of the Village of Kenmore Fire Department. All EMS Calls are handled by the Town of Tonawanda Police Department's Paramedic Unit, which operates a total of three fly-cars. Patrols 44,47,and 49 respectively are the Paramedic response vehicles. Patients are transported via Twin City Ambulance.Milestones
Due to extensive work by two of the firemen in the company Bernard S Misiura Jr (President of the organization 2008–????) and Jason Webb (Lieutenant 2008–????) a law was passed regarding membership limitations. This law was achieved with help from the honorable State Senator Mary Lou RathMary Lou Rath
Mary Lou Rath is a former state senator in New York. A Republican, she represents the state's 61st Senate District, which consists of parts of Erie County and all of Genesee County. In January 2007, she was appointed to the post of Deputy Majority Leader for State/Federal Relations, making her the...
and the Honorable State Assemblyman Robin Schimminger
Robin Schimminger
Robin Schimminger represents District 140 in the New York State Assembly, which comprises all of the Town of Tonawanda , the City of Tonawanda in Erie County, and most of the City of North Tonawanda in Niagara County.Elected in 1976, Schimminger had previously served as a member of the Erie County...
with thanks to Governor David A Paterson (David Paterson
David Paterson
David Alexander Paterson is an American politician who served as the 55th Governor of New York, from 2008 to 2010. During his tenure he was the first governor of New York of African American heritage and also the second legally blind governor of any U.S. state after Bob C. Riley, who was Acting...
).
Specifically this law amends through exempting River Road Fire District #3 from subdivision 7 of section 176-b, of Town Law that mandates Fire Districts to have no more than forty-five Percent non-resident membership.
The Governor David A Paterson (David Paterson
David Paterson
David Alexander Paterson is an American politician who served as the 55th Governor of New York, from 2008 to 2010. During his tenure he was the first governor of New York of African American heritage and also the second legally blind governor of any U.S. state after Bob C. Riley, who was Acting...
) signed this proposed bill into law on July 21, 2008.
The Ladies Auxiliary after being disbanded for over 20 years was officially resurrected in September 2008. This was one of the goals that President Misiura wanted to achieve in his term.
The transitional board that was elected in August 2008 was:
| President | Vice President | Secretary | Treasurer | Sergeant At Arms | Chaplain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jennifer Abbott | Colleen Mayfield | Stacie McNett | Stacie McNett | ||
Officers For 2011
Firematic Officers| Chief | 1st Assistant Chief | 2nd Assistant Chief | Captain | 1st Lieutenant | 2nd Lieutenant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dale McNett | Jason Webb | Don Abbott | Lou McNett | Shawn Seneca | |
Social Officers
| President | Vice President | Secretary | Treasurer | Sergeant At Arms | Chaplain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don Abbott | Phil Noah | Joe Waschensky | Tom Leidolph | Shawn Seneca | Joe Waschensky |