Le Roy Fire

Photo by Philip Mangefrida of the Le Roy Volunteer Fire Training conducting a training exercise Monday night at the Oatka Creek.

Jared Chick was named Firefighter of the Year for the Le Roy Volunteer Fire Department at the department's annual awards and installation dinner on Friday night, held at the Stafford Fire Hall.

Le Roy responded to 289 alarms in 2019.

Craig Johnson was issued the Medal of Valor for rescuing a woman from an early morning house fire in May 2019.

Rick Bater, past chief

The installation of fire fighters; Joe Orlando, left, Josh Fendler, right. 

Tim Yaeger administers the oath of office for Le Roy's officers and board members.

Le Roy Fire Department, with assistance from Le Roy PD and Le Roy Ambulance, staged a simulated DWI fatal accident to help make seniors at Le Roy High School more aware of the dangers of distracted driving, and drinking and driving.

Video: Le Roy Fire members discuss why they enjoy being volunteer firefighters.

Brandon Connolly was named Fireman of the Year by the Le Roy Volunteer Fire Department at the department's annual installation and awards banquet, held this year at Terry Hills.

Firematic officers for 2019 are: Tom Wood, chief (far right in top photo); Craig Johnson, 1st assistant chief (second from right); Josh Pfendler, captain and training officer; A.J. DeFelice, lieutenant; Jared Chick, lieutenant; Joe Orlando, safety officer.

The fire department created a new safety award this year, named in honor of longtime safety officer Joe Orlando. The first recipient is Christopher DeFelice. Photo: Craig Johnson, DeFelice, Orland, and Tom Wood.

Tim Hogle served as chief for three years. This year, Tom Wood returns to the chief's role and Hogle received a thank-you plaque.

To find out how you can become a member of your local volunteer fire department, visit ReadyGenesee.com.

A pair of voter referendums to help Le Roy Fire Department purchase a new ladder truck was defeated at the ballot box Tuesday night by tallies of 107 for and 236 against to buy a new truck, and 113 for and 228 against to sell the current truck.

The first referendum would have authorized the Le Roy Fire District to borrow $1 million and spend $400,000 of reserve funds.

Yesterday, Fire District officials released the following statement:

“We would like to thank the voters of the Le Roy Fire District for taking the time to turn out and vote at last night’s election and express their views.

The results of this vote will help us shape how the District’s responsibility to provide the best possible fire protection and service to the residents.

At the same time, we need to recognize the time and efforts of the Departments’ officers and Apparatus Committee for their two years of time and research into developing the basis for this vote. We will redirect their work into continuing the best possible firefighting force for this community.

We must keep in front of us that this was a vote on a fire truck and not on the dedication, commitment and professionalism of the men and women of the Le Roy Fire Department.”

Signed: Le Roy Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners, Fire Chiefs and Officers

For Monday night training, Le Roy fire was joined by City fire for water flow training at the Dolomite Products quarry off Gulf Road in Le Roy. The crews worked on drafting, pump and ladder operations.

Chief Tim Hogle said, "Thanks to Dolomite Products Le Roy for letting us use their property. Good job to everyone involved."

Submitted photo.

Firefighter Kevin McCrary was named Firefighter of the Year for the Le Roy Volunteer Fire Department by Chief Tim Hogle at the department's annual dinner on Saturday night.

McCrary was honored for his work ethic and dedication to the department, Hogle said.

Hogle said the department responded 419 calls in 2017. Tom Wood, first assistant chief, was the top responder for the year, responding to 303 calls.

During March and April, the department responded to 75 calls during power outages in the Village of Le Roy. All of the volunteers who responded to those calls were honored with the Chief's Award.

They are: Thomas Wood, Christina Marrinaccio, Dave Ehrhart Sr., Joe Orlando, Jerry Diskin, Anthony DeFelice, Rick Bater, Bill Wood, Kenneth Davis, Craig Johnson, Dale Ehrhart, John Johnson, Brandon Connolly, Michael Green, Burt Manley, John Hurd, Terry Kanaley, Stephany McVicker, Wendy Johnson, Josh Pfendler, Melisa Suriidge, Jeff Freeman, David Ehrhart Jr., Jared Chick, Scott Newman, Kevin McCrary, Justin Connolly, Elijah Flansburg, Pete Loftus, Mike Miller, Leeanne Miller, Christie Main-Miller, Donna Kanaley, Laurie Bater, Kathy Wood, Elise Lauricella.

A Special Commendation went to DEC Officer Fay Fuerch, Le Roy Police Officer Greg Kellogg, and Firefighter Rob Radley. Fuerch, Kellogg and Radley were first on scene for a cardiac arrest in Le Roy at the Save-A-Lot. The responders provided first aid and attempted to save the woman's life. Their efforts helped keep the woman alive long enough for her only remaining son to arrive home and say goodbye to his mother.

The firematic officer for 2018 are Tim Hogle, chief, Tom Wood, first assistant chief, Craig Johnson, 2nd assistant chief, Mike Green, captain, Christina Marinaccio, captain, and Anthony DeFelice, lieutenant.

Photos by Rob Radley.

This morning, the senior class at Le Roy High School was given a chance to see what happens at a multiple-injury crash scene, that includes a fatality, caused by a drunk driver as part of the annual DWI drive staged by the Le Roy Volunteer Fire Department.

Assisting were Stafford fire, Mercy EMS, Mercy Flight, Sheriff's Office and Le Roy PD.

(Our coverage was truncated by the fire alarm on West Main Street in Batavia this morning).

Craig Johnson, middle, with Tom Wood, 1st assistant chief, and Tim Hogle, chief, was named Firefighter of the Year on Saturday night at the Le Roy Fire Department's annual awards dinner and installation banquet. Johnson, the son of a 40-year veteran of the department, was also promoted to 2nd assistant chief.

The Le Roy officers for 2017 are listed below.

Firematic Officers: Chief -- Tim Hogle; 1st Asst. Chief -- Tom Wood; 2nd Asst. Chief -- Craig Johnson; Captain -- Mike Green; Captain -- Christina Marinaccio; Lieutenant -- A.J. DeFelice; Training Officer -- Craig Johnson; Safety Officer -- Joe Orlando. 

Business: President -- Mike Green; Vice President --  A.J. DeFelice; Director -- Pete Loftus; Director -- Beth Domm; Secretary -- Jim Spear; Treasurer -- A.J. DeFelice. 

Commissioners: Chairman -- Jerry Diskin; Commissioner -- Bill Wood; Commissioner -- Wayne Dressler; Commissioner -- John Johnson; Secretary -- Jim Spear; Treasurer --Stephanie Call.

Oatka Hose: President -- Dale Ehrhart; Directors -- Dave Ehrhart Sr., Frank Davis, Jim Spears Jr., Dave Ehrhart Jr., Ken Davis; Secretary -- Jim Spear; Treasurer -- Gerry Diskin.

Excelsior: President -- John Johnson; Vice President -- Rick Bater; Director -- Adam Stogsdale; Director -- Stephanie McVicker; Director -- Wendy Johnson; Director -- Mike Sheflin; Director -- Judy Purdy; Secretary -- Mike Miller; Treasurer -- Christina Marinaccio. 

Chemicals: President -- Brandon Connolly; Vice President -- Melissa Surridge; Directors -- Dan Kemp, John Joy, Wayne Dressler, Terry Kanaley, Brandon Connolly; Secretary -- Wayne Dressler; Treasurer -- John Joy.

Benevolent: President -- Gerry Diskin; Vice President -- Ken Davis; Director -- Dave Ehrhart Sr.; Director -- Bill Sealey; Director -- John Johnson; Secretary -- Jim Spear; Treasurer -- Jim Spear.

Fire Police: Captain -- Ken Davis; 1st Lieutenant -- Wendy Johnson; 2nd Lieutenant -- Dave Ehrhart Sr. 

Auxiliary: President -- Christie Miller-Main; Vice President -- Elise Bater; Secretary -- LeeAnne Miller; Treasurer -- Wendy Johnson.

Kevin McCrary, left, received a chief's accommodation award.

Tom Wood, center, received the Chief's Accommodation Award.

Jerry Diskin and Ken Davis were honored for their 50 years of service to the department.

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There was a time, Jerry Diskin remembers, when there were seven volunteer firefighters working right in the Village of Le Roy. 

That was a time, many years ago, when getting volunteers to turn out for daytime alarms was never a problem, but times have changed.

Lapp Industries has downsized, no new industrial employers have sprung up, businesses are smaller in the village, and more people work in Monroe County or elsewhere, making it hard for them to respond to daytime alarms.

That has Le Roy Fire District looking at any and all potential solutions for ensuring daytime alarms bring out sufficient manpower to cover the call, said Diskin who is chairman of the Board of Commissioners.

It's not that the department doesn't have enough volunteers -- there are 67 on the rolls, said 1st Assistant Chief Tom Wood.

"We’re not hurting for manpower," Wood said. "We’re hurting for guys available in a certain time frame. If you look at our roster, we have the manpower, but like everybody else, it’s just a time frame during the day time where people are in Rochester or wherever."

There was some confusion earlier this week over a report in a fire service newsletter, based on minutes from an East Battalion meeting, that the City of Batavia Fire Department would start to "cover" for Le Roy on structure fire calls in the Le Roy District.

That was never the plan, Diskin said. There was merely a discussion at the meeting about this issue and the city's changing role on structure fire calls.

"As a district, we’re directly accountable to the taxpayers," Diskin said. "To that end, if there is something out there that’s available to us to use or pursue we have a responsibility to do that."

The city has always sent what's known as a Fast Team (a group of firefighters tasked with being ready to rescue firefighters who might be trapped or having difficulty exiting a burning building) to structure fires in Le Roy.

There have been a total of 11 such calls in Le Roy over the past 18 months, Wood said.

In the future, the city will be asked to send a responding engine and another volunteer company will be asked to respond as the Fast Team, on daytime calls, Wood said.

"This is just change to an engine company," Wood said. "They’re not coming here to answer our alarms, they’re coming on structure fire only. ... This has been blown way, way, way out of proportion. This is just a change in assignment for them."

The county's fire response is broken into battalions and mutual aid companies and dispatchers use what are known as run cards to dispatch the right companies in the right order to the right location.

For Le Roy, the typical structure fire has Bergen sending its ladder truck almost right away, with another ladder truck (Le Roy also has its own) if needed from either Caledonia or Town of Batavia.  

The city would not likely be requested to send anything more than the Fast Team, or, now, an engine company.

"The system is designed so we don't deplete any one area," Wood said. 

Both Diskin and Wood emphasized that the issue Le Roy is facing with daytime calls is a countywide problem.

Last month, for example, there were back-to-back fires in Pavilion and Le Roy on a hot day. At the Pavilion fire, it was the third time recently that Wood became scene commander, even though it was Pavilion's district, because Pavilion didn't have a chief available to respond. An Alexander firefighter responded because he worked in Pavilion, even though his department hadn't been dispatched at that point (Alexander's Fast Team was dispatched that day). Le Roy was supposed to have a mutual aid company as a fill-in at its hall, and that company did send an engine but didn't have enough manpower available when the alarm sounded for the fire on Lent Avenue.

At that call, the city's Fast Team was pressed into firefighting duty to give the hot and tired volunteers a rest.

That's all a result of diminished manpower throughout the area for daytime calls, Wood said.

"This whole daytime thing is a countywide issue," Wood said. "It’s just being brought to the foreground by us because we’re being proactive about making sure things are covered."

Diskin said it's important to note that while getting enough people out on daytime calls is a struggle, calls are still getting covered in the district.

Like the Lent Avenue fire, calls sometimes pile up and over. And for the past couple of years, there seem to be more calls for service during the day, Diskin said.

"But that happens (the rare back-to-back call)," Diskin said. "It’s just like, 'it’s only a CO alarm,' 'it’s only a smoke detector alarm,' but somebody has got to answer that. That’s all it is, but somebody has got to go and handle it."

While manpower isn't an issue, recruiting more people is one obvious answer to boost the numbers with the hope that some greater percentage of recruits increases the number of daytime responders.

It's a challenge, and part of the challenge is that firefighting training has gone from a week to now you're into 79 hours of training, and 129 if you want to be an interior firefighter.

“It’s all good training," Diskin said. "I’ve been in training all my life. The issue is, it’s a big time commitment. So you’re trying to ramp that person up to be a valuable member of your department, you’re talking 18 months."

Because of the changing landscape of employment in Le Roy, Wood said, people's lifestyles have changed. A young firefighter probably has a family and kids today and they're signed up for more activities, making parents less available to respond to fire calls.

"Parents are just traveling all the time," Wood said. "I take my brother as an example. He’s got his daughter on a travel volleyball team. He’s gone most of the summer every weekend. So there’s a guy gone. I don’t fault anybody for doing that, but that’s the way it is."

To find out more about volunteering for your area department, visit ReadyGenesee.com.

Jerry Diskin was named Le Roy Fire Department's Firefighter of the Year at the department's annual installation and awards dinner. Diskin, center, sets an example by his energy and commitment, said Chief Tim Hogle, left. Joining in the award presentation is 1st Assistant Chief Tom Wood.

On Dec. 1, the fire department faced a situation that firefighters are typically not trained to deal with -- a person firing a gun at them as they roll up to a fire scene. The first four volunteers on scene were Joe Orlando, Bergen Chief Kevin Finucane, 1st Assistant Chief Tom Wood and Chief Tim Hogle. Saturday night, each man received a Medal of Valor.

When the men arrived on scene and were fired on, they remained calm, returned to their vehicles and established a safety zone, informing other responders not to come to the scene. The Medal of Valor is awarded to public safety officers who have exhibited actions above and beyond the call of duty, who showed exceptional courage, decisiveness and a presence of mind or unusual purpose of action to effect the protection of human life.

Joe Orlando receiving the Chief's Award from Chief Tim Hogle.

Hogle, Orlando, Diskin and Wood.

Representatives from various agencies who assisted at the scene on Dec. 1 on Selden Road were recognized by the department, including Emergency Management, Bergen Fire, Town of Batavia Fire, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Le Roy PD and State Police (not all agencies are represented in this picture and the one below).

Installation of Officers.

The top 10 responders of 2015.

The department conducted 50 training sessions, resulting in 1,570 man-hours of total training for the volunteers. The volunteers also responded to 296 alarms, resulting in 1,273 man-hours on assignment.

The membership of the Le Roy Volunteer Fire Department elected Tim Hogle as the department's new chief in a vote Thursday evening.

Hogle has moved up the ranks incrementally over the past several years from lieutenant, to captain and through the chief ranks, most recently serving as first assistant, to become chief.

"It's been a lot of hard work, a lot of training, a lot of state classes, a lot of man hours here at the fire hall and in fire service," said Hogle (pictured, left). 

He said becoming chief is a chance "to give back to the community, lead the guys and follow in the right path of the chiefs before me. "

Tom Wood, on the right, who has one prior term as chief, said the membership supported Hogle for the position because of his hard work.

"I think he's done a pretty good job throughout his career and as assistant chief and as an upcoming officer as a captain and lieutenant," Wood said.

In most embezzlement cases, said Judge Robert C. Noonan during the sentencing of Dennis Snow, the victim is "out for blood."

That wasn't the case with Snow, who was accused of stealing at least $16,000 from the Le Roy Fire Department. In this case, some members of the department sent in letters asking for some degree of leniency with Snow, even those who thought Snow should spend some time in jail.

Even Det. John Condidorio, whom Noonan characterized as "strong willed," wrote a letter in support of Snow.

However, an element of sentencing, said Noonan, is that a sentence should not "cause the public to lose confidence in the justice system."

"People ask why a woman can steal a scarf from Walmart and go to jail but a person who steals tens of thousands of dollars doesn't," Noonan said.

Those in the judicial system understand all the factors that go into sentencing an individual, but that doesn't satisfy the public's confusion over the disparity.

For that reason, Noonan sentenced Snow to a 30-day intermittent jail term. From 6 p.m. on Fridays until 6 p.m. on Sundays, Snow will serve time in the Genesee County Jail. His sentence starts this Friday.

Snow's attorney, Clark Zimmerman, tried to argue that any jail time could jeopardize Snow's job, which occasionally requires travel and weekend work.

"I don't think anybody wants that to happen given the amount of restitution required," Zimmerman said.

He also noted that Snow's wife has significant health issues.

At one time, Snow was accused of stealing $60,000 from the fire department, a figure first uncovered by the state's Office of Comptroller. The firefighters' benevolence association had an independent audit completed and arrived at a figure unpaid of just over $16,000.  

Snow was apparently taking money and returning some of it over a period of time. Zimmerman said he always made sure the department had enough money to cover critical expenses. He didn't disclose what Snow was doing with the money. He said his client had already reimbursed the department at least $8,000, but as a term of the plea deal, Snow could not dispute the restitution claim.

Upon completion of his jail term, Snow will be on probation for five years.

When asked to speak, Snow sobbed throughout his short statement to Noonan.

"I want to apologize in public to the Le Roy Fire Department and all the members, past and present, whose trust I violated," Snow said.

He apologized to his family for embrassing them and to the community that he said he has loved for 30 years.

Le Roy Fire Department has placed a new 15-passenger van into service. The van will be used for transporting personnel to and from accident and fire scenes, to and from training classes and for parade and funeral details, among other duties. The auxiliary will also use the van for transporting food and drinks to scenes. Reflective striping and lights will make the vehicle more visible and therefore safer. The department thanks Chris Stella of Stella Collision for shop space to work on the van and Josh Pfendler for lettering the van at no cost to the department.

A tractor-trailer rear-ended one vehicle, rolled and slammed into another today on Route 19 in Le Roy, seriously injuring one driver.

The truck was driven by 44-year-old Howard Mcintyre, of Vestal, and was hauling a gravel product from Dolomite Aggregates in Le Roy. Mcintyre was northbound, going over the I-90 overpass, when a red 2008 Mazda driven by 22-year-old Gregory Wodzicki slowed in front of him.

Mcintyre was unable to stop his truck and rammed the Mazda, forcing it off the roadway. Then as he tried to correct, his wheels caught a deep culvert on the west side of Route 19. The truck flipped and landed on its side, skidding long-side-first down the roadway.

That's when 55-year-old Patricia Ireland, southbound in a 2006 Chevrolet Impala was struck. Ireland's car took the brunt impact of the flying stone product and the swinging trailer. Her vehicle's front end was destroyed and the car pushed back about 150 feet.

Ireland became entrapped in her mangled vehicle and had to be extricated. Le Roy Fire Chief Mike Sheflin estimates the extrication took roughly 12 minutes from responders' time of arrival. Ireland was Mercy Flighted to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester with serious injuries. 

Meanwhile, the truck partially left the roadway and burst into flames. Mcintyre was able to escape the flaming wreckage, but suffered internal injuries. He was taken to Strong via ground ambulance.

The driver of the Mazda, Wodzicki, and his passenger, 23-year-old Jason Hightower, both of Rush, suffered minor injuries and were transported via ambulance to Strong.

No charges have been filed. The investigation continues this afternoon. Route 19 was closed for about four hours, but has been re-opened.

CLICK HERE for video coverage from WBTA News.

Le Roy Fire was at the Fire Training Center on State Street Road this evening for ongoing instruction on how to deal with car fires. The volunteers work on their approach to a vehicle and how to most effectively put out the fire. 

Volunteer firefighters from throughout Genesee County engage in various training and briefings every Monday night.

For more on volunteer opportunities, click here.