New Year’s Resolution Idea: Join Us

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The New Year is almost here and many of us will be making New Year’s resolutions. Why not make a resolution to help out in your community by joining your local Volunteer Fire Company. For more information about your local Fire Company, just give us a call or stop down to see us.

Non-Emergency (518) 756-6310, Fax 7310

U.S. Mail:
Coeymans Hollow Fire Company
PO Box # 147
Coeymans Hollow, NY 12046

We are located at:
1290 SR. 143 (Intersection of 143 and Blodgett Hill Road)
Coeymans Hollow, NY

Stand By Your Pan

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12-inch_4print01Stand By Your Pan

FPW.org

How often has the doorbell rung or a child interrupted you while you were cooking, causing you to forget about the chicken you left sizzling on the stove – until smoke filled the house?

If this scenario or a similar one sounds familiar to you, you may want to think about it a little more because it’s likely that you, a friend or family member has run the risk of having a dangerous fire. As chief of the (Your Fire Department Here), I often talk to people about the ways they can stay safe in their homes. Too often, we have that talk after they’ve suffered a damaging fire.

It’s my hope that people reading this article won’t have to learn the hard way. If I could give just one fire warning, I’d say, “Keep an eye on what you fry!”

Why? Because cooking is the leading cause of home fires, according to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The latest statistics from NFPA say U.S. Fire Departments responded to an estimated annual average of 156,600 cooking-related fires between 2007-2011.

We’re joining forces with NFPA and thousands of other fire departments across North America to commemorate Fire Prevention Week, October 6-12th, “Prevent Kitchen Fires.” The theme reminds us that leaving cooking unattended and other unsafe kitchen practices are a recipe for disaster.

Often when we’re called to a cooking-related fire, the residents tell us they only left the kitchen for a few minutes. Sadly, that’s all it takes for a dangerous fire to start. The bottom line is that there’s really no safe period of time for the cook to step away from a hot stove. A few key points to remember:

  • Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the room even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
  • When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you.
  • Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles (e.g. potholders, towels, rags, drapes and food packaging).
  • Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a “kid-free zone” of three feet around the stove.
  • If you have a fire in your microwave, turn it off immediately and keep the door closed. Never open the door until the fire is completely out. If in doubt, get out of the home and call the fire department
  • Always keep an oven mitt and a lid nearby. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan (make sure you are wearing the oven mitt). Turn off the burner. Do not move the pan. To keep the fire from restarting, do not remove the lid until it is completely cool. Never pour water on a grease fire. If the fire does not go out, get out of the home and call the fire department.
  • If an oven fire starts, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. If the fire does not go out, get out of the home and call the fire department.

A cooking fire can quickly turn deadly. I have seen too many homes destroyed and people killed or injured by fires that could have been easily avoided. Please heed these simple safety rules. We firefighters would like to be in your kitchen, but only when you invite us for dinner!

“Reproduced from NFPA’s Fire Prevention Week website, www.firepreventionweek.org. ©2013 NFPA.”

Tuition Assistance Program Has Expanded to Include SUNY Empire State College

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FASNY TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE SUNY EMPIRE STATE COLLEGE

– Higher Education Learning Plan now covers more than 500 online courses at ESC-

(SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.) Volunteer firefighters now can have up to one-hundred percent of their tuition costs for online courses at SUNY Empire State College’s Center for Distance Learning funded by the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) Higher Education Learning Plan (HELP).

“By partnering with Empire State College, we are ensuring that more of our volunteer firefighters have access to higher education while at the same time providing lifesaving services to their communities,” said FASNY President James Burns.  “Our HELP program has been an integral tool in recruiting and retaining new members. This new partnership will make our program even more robust.”

“By including Empire State College in the HELP program, FASNY has dramatically expanded access for volunteer firefighters to earn an associate degree online,” said Meg Benke, acting president of Empire State College. “Special thanks go to Jim Burns and his team at FASNY, college alumnus and former volunteer firefighter Richard Wishnie, Empire State College Professor Jim Savitt and the college’s Office of Academic Affairs for their hard work in making this arrangement possible.”

About FASNY HELP

Launched in 2011, FASNY established the HELP program to assist volunteer fire departments in attracting and retaining more members.  Under FASNY HELP, a student/volunteer firefighter who hasn’t already achieved an associate’s degree or higher will be eligible to have up to 100% of his/her tuition reimbursed in exchange for maintaining good grades and fulfilling service requirements as a member in good standing in one of New York’s volunteer fire companies.

The program is covers courses at all 29 SUNY community colleges throughout the state and has seen hundreds of students receive tuition reimbursement. FASNY HELP is made possible through a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. More information and an online application form are available here.

About FASNY

Founded in 1872, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York represents the interests of the more than 92,000 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel in New York State.  For more information, visit fasny.com or fireinyou.org.

About SUNY Empire State College

SUNY Empire State College was established in 1971 to offer adult learners the opportunity to earn associate, bachelors and master’s degrees from the State University of New York.

In addition to awarding credit for prior college-level learning, the college pairs each student with a faculty mentor who supports that student throughout his or her college career.

The college offers more than 500 courses and complete degree programs online through its Center for Distance Learning. The college also educates students face to face at more than 35 locations in the state of New York. Its 66,000 alumni are active in their communities as entrepreneurs, politicians, business professionals, artists, nonprofit agency employees, teachers, veterans and active military, union members and more. More information about the college is available here.

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6 Benefits You’ll Receive as a Volunteer Firefighter

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Benefits

The work performed by volunteers is valued by community members and those at each level of government. For this reason, numerous material benefits are available to volunteers from the federal, state, and local governments.
These include:

  • Training – Utilizing the latest equipment and techniques.
  • State Income Tax Benefits – $200 for individuals. $400 for couples who file jointly.
  • Free Health Checkups – Provided annually at no cost to volunteers.
  • Low-Cost Health Insurance – The same affordable plans available to municipal employees.
  • Scholarships and Tuition Reimbursement – For volunteers meeting certain requirements.
  • Service Awards – Formal recognition tied to length of service.

For details on the benefits available please call (518) 756-6310.

Recruitment Open House to be Held at The Coeymans Hollow Volunteer Fire Company on Saturday April 27th

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The Coeymans Hollow Volunteer Fire Company to Participate in
3RD Annual Statewide “RECRUITNY” Weekend to Help Increase Number of Volunteer Firefighters

Recruitment Open House to be Held at The Coeymans Hollow Volunteer Fire Company on Saturday April 27th  

(Coeymans Hollow, NY) The Coeymans Hollow Volunteer Fire Company will open its doors to area residents, so they can learn about what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter in their community, as part of the third annual RecruitNY statewide initiative. Over the last several years, it has been very tough for many fire departments throughout New York State to recruit and retain volunteers for a variety of reasons. Like most volunteer fire departments, the Berne Volunteer Fire Company needs to bolster its emergency responder numbers, so it can continue to provide the optimum level of protection for its residents.

The Coeymans Hollow Volunteer Fire Corporation will host a Recruitment Open House on Alcove Day, Saturday April 27 starting with the Ladies Auxiliary Bake Sale at 8:00a.m.  Garage Sale maps will be available beginning at 8:00a.m.  Throughout the day, Firefighters from Coeymans Hollow will be on hand to show our new 3,000 gallon Tanker 6-30 and our Rescue/Brush UTV 6-50 along with Engine 6-20, Engine 6-10, and our EMS/Brush Truck 6-40 until 4p.m.  Tours of the trucks, demonstrations, Membership Applications and refreshments will be available.

As part of RecruitNY, on Saturday, April 27 between 8:00am—4:00pm, The Coeymans Hollow Volunteer Fire Company located at 1290 SR. 143 (Intersection of 143 and Blodgett Hill Road) Coeymans Hollow, NY  will join volunteer fire departments all across the state at their respective firehouses for a unified  recruitment drive, as part of National Volunteer Week 2013. Not only will RecruitNY be an opportunity to highlight the duties and rewards that come with being a volunteer firefighter, it will also raise public awareness about the need for volunteers.

Throughout the day, The Coeymans Hollow Volunteer Fire Company will conduct tours of the station and firefighter apparatus, allow visitors to try on firefighter gear, and provide activities and stations throughout the firehouse for visitors. The fire department will discuss the requirements to be a volunteer, as well as conduct demonstrations, answer questions, and let visitors know how to get involved in the fire department.

Last year, over 430 fire departments in 55 counties across the state held recruitment open houses. FASNY is hoping for an even higher turnout this year and encourages departments to RSVP to let the community know they’re participating at: www.recruitny.org/signup.

“Come on out and join us for this unique recruitment day at our firehouse,” said Chief Bill Kapusta. “This is a great opportunity for our neighbors to observe the exciting tasks of a firefighter. Our current members love what they do; they are everyday heroes who help neighbors in need. We hope our recruitment day will inspire  other area residents to join our fire service family.”

Please stop by the Coeymans Hollow Firehouse and show your support for your Volunteer Firefighters and EMS Personnel.

The goal of RecruitNY is that the collaborative effort among volunteer fire departments statewide will turn the declining number of volunteer firefighters around. RecruitNY is one example of FASNY’s key initiatives to recruit and retain volunteers. Over the last year and a half, FASNY has worked exceptionally hard to build and deploy a multi-tiered plan for helping New York State’s over 1,700 volunteer fire departments recruit over 15,000 new volunteer firefighters across the state by utilizing federal SAFER grant funds for programs including the “Fire in You” advertising campaign, FASNY HELP community college tuition reimbursement program, and recruitment training classes.

Established in 2011, RecruitNY is a joint undertaking by the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY), the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs (NYSAFC), Association of Fire Districts of New York State, Volunteer Fire Police Association of the State of New York,  and County Fire Coordinators Association of the State of New York. Last year, fire departments in more than 50 counties across the state participated in the first annual RecruitNY weekend.

For fire departments that would like to sign up for RecruitNY, simply log on to http://recruitny.org/opendoors.php and fill out the participation form. The program provides fire departments with access to recruitment resources, communication tools, posters, banners, etc. via http://recruitny.org/resources.php to help a firehouse hold a recruitment open house.

For area residents looking for more information, or to find out if your fire department is participating in RecruitNY, visit www.recruitny.org or contact your local fire department via a non-emergency phone number or its website.

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68th Annual Installation Banquet

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2013 Civil Officers: President—Tony Kapusta, Vice President—Darlene Wilson, Secretary—Michelle Kapusta, Treasurer—Sherle Slingerland, Financial Secretary—Sue Stratta, Membership Secretary—Michele Sadowski, Director—Sherle Slingerland, Sergeant at Arms—Herb Williams, Chaplain—Pastor Paul Meador

2013 Auxiliary Officers: President—Maryann Dennis. Vice President—Sarah Dennis, Secretary—Sue Stratta, Treasurer—Donna Wickham, Seargent at Arms—Adele Thayer

2013 Fire Line Officers: Chief—Bill Kapusta, 1st Assistant Chief—Bill Sadowski, 1st Assistant Chief—Matt Mortefolio, 1st Captain—Sam Slingerland, 2nd Captain—Robert Beebe, 1st Lieutenant—Dave Court, 2nd Lieutenant—Jody Burrows, EMS Captain—Davin Kryzkowski, EMS Lieutenant—Sherle Slingerland, Fire Police Captain—Jim Reyes, Fire Police Lieutenant—Jack Dennis

Alcove Day April 27th Bake Sale / Garage Sale Maps / Bakers Needed

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Alcove Day will be held on Saturday April 27. Garage Sale Maps can be purchased at the firehouse beginning at 8:00a.m. Also The Coeymans Hollow Ladies will be hosting a bake sale at the firehouse beginning at 8:00a.m. so you can start your day with fresh baked goods and a hot cup of coffee.

Calling all Bakers:

Coeymans Hollow Ladies Auxiliary President Mary Ann Dennis is calling on all Bakers to bake for the Bake Sale to be held on Alcove Day April 27.  Bake Goods can be dropped off at the Firehouse on Friday night between 6:00p.m. and 7:00p.m. or on Saturday morning

Why become a volunteer firefighter? Life Experiences

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William Greenwood became a New Hampshire volunteer firefighter because he witnessed a car accident involving his sister. He saw volunteer firefighters struggle to gather enough members to respond to the emergency, and decided he wanted to be a solution to this problem. You can benefit from this sense of community and shared purpose by joining one of Albany County’s volunteer fire companies.

Apply to become an Albany County volunteer firefighter online at http://achvfire.wufoo.com/forms/z7x3p3/

Seeking New Members

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Your local Volunteer Fire Companies are seeking new members to join our Volunteer Family. If you are interested in joining your local Volunteer Fire Company please call 475-2929 or check us out on the web at WWW.JOINEMSFIRE.ORG. and bring a friend. You can become an Active Firefighter, EMS Provider, Fire Police, Ladies Auxiliary Member or an Associate Member to assist us with our many committees.

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