The event will feature fire engine rides, aerial truck bucket rides, and tours of the hall along with hands-on activities for attendees, including a firefighter turnout gear challenge and fire hose target range.

“Today’s home fires burn faster than ever. In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds, so every second we can save getting into our gear counts,” said Upper Mountain Truck Capt. Greg Sitek. “Come and see how your time matches up against a firefighter’s. Then grab a hose and test your skills.”

Other attractions will include a mini-house that uses simulated smoke to teach children how to stay low and find their way out of a smoke-filled room, blood pressure checks and a gym challenge. A coloring book contest will give children attending Lewiston schools a chance to win a ride to school in a fire engine.

Held during Fire Prevention Week, the theme for this year’s event will be “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere.” Upper Mountain Chief Charles Smith said the focus will be on three steps people can take to help quickly and safely escape a fire:

“Situational awareness is a skill people need to use wherever they go,” Smith said. “No matter where you are, look for available exits. If the alarm system sounds, take it seriously and exit the building immediately.”

The free open house will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. rain or shine on the company grounds at 839 Moyer Road, Lewiston. New member applications and flu shots will be available as will food, refreshments and giveaways for the children.

Upper Mountain Fire Co. provides fire protection, technical rescue and emergency medical services to residents and businesses in the Town of Lewiston.The company responded to 1,470 calls for service in 2017, making it one of the busiest all-volunteer fire/rescue companies in Niagara County.

Michael Keith Nazar,

Obituary:
Michael was loved by his wife and best friend, Gretchen Landry Nazar. He was proud of his children Peyton, Britain and Jackson. He kept his siblings Michele, William Jr. and Paul David Nazar always laughing and wondering what was next. Michael was a native of New Orleans and had spread his joy whereever he landed: St. Bernard, Detroit, Lewiston, N.Y., and Mandeville. He was proud to be a Veteran of the United States Navy and retired as a Captain with the New Orleans Police Department. Michael was always genuinely concerned about those around him. He was literally the guy who would give you the shirt off his back or the last dollar in his pocket. He has joined his mom and dad in watching over us. Though we are heartbroken and left behind, we know he’s flying high and still loving us. Burial will be private. A Celebration of Michael’s life will be set for a later date. Arrangement by Bagnell & Son Funeral Home of Covington, LA. To view and sign the family guest book, please visit www.bagnellfuneralhome.com. 

He was a member and former Chief of the Lewiston Volunteer Fire Co. #1 as well as a member of the Upper Mountain Volunteer Co.

Kevin was predeceased by his wife, Ann (Quigley) Macaulay in 2012. He is survived by nine children, three sisters, and eleven grandchildren.

LEWISTON – Fire engine rides, a live burn demonstration and hands-on challenges for attendees will join fire safety education and blood pressure checks on what promises to be an entertaining Saturday, Oct. 3 when the Upper Mountain Fire Co. holds its annual Community Open House.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. rain or shine on the company grounds at 839 Moyer Road.  Scheduled as part of national Fire Prevention Week, this year’s theme will be “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep: Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm.”

It’s a theme that will resound throughout National Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10. According to the National Fire Protection Association, having working smoke alarms in the home cuts the risk of dying in a fire in half.

“The National Fire Alarm Code® requires a smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home,” said Upper Mountain President Greg Sitek. “Half of all U.S. home fire deaths occur between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when people are most likely to be sleeping. Children and adults who hear the smoke alarm’s beep where they sleep have the time to get of a burning residence.”

Upper Mountain will again hold a coloring contest for kids attending Lewiston schools with five lucky winners getting a free fire engine ride to school.  Children will be asked to submit one entry each with judging to be conducted by a vote of the fire company’s members.

“This proved to be extremely popular last year and the children who won were thrilled to get rides on our fire apparatus,” Chief Dan Leven said. 

The Oct. 3 event is free and the public is invited. Refreshments will be served. 

“Aim a live fire hose on our target range, watch a live burn exercise, have a courtesy blood pressure check and see Upper Mountain firefighters conduct a motor vehicle extrication drill,” Leven said. “And of course we’ll have giveaways for the kids.”

Upper Mountain Fire Company provides fire protection, technical rescue and emergency medical services to residents and businesses in the Town of Lewiston.  The company responded to 1,311 calls for service in 2014, making it the busiest all-volunteer fire/rescue company in Niagara County.

FOR SALE :

1. 2004 Ford Explorer XLS SUV
2. Siren Box Whelan Double Speaker
3. Custom Cabinet (44’ (W)x27”(H)x26”(D))
4. Set of 2 LED Lights (Red/White)
5. (1) LED Light (Red/White)
6. Havis Shield Center Console Consolidator

Bids will close on July 8, 2015. No late bids will be accepted. Bids will be opened and recorded at the following Board of Directors meeting, and awarded to the highest bidder. Bids submitted that do not meet the minimum bid requirement will be discarded. Highest bidder will be notified by phone.

Payment must be received by 4:00 pm Saturday July 11, 2015. Payment not made by this time will be considered withdrawn and merchandise will be sold to next highest bidder. In the event of a tie, the postmark date on the earliest bid will be deemed the winning bid. Only cash or bank check will be accepted.

To Submit Bids

Download and fill out the UMT_Closed_Bid_Form

Firefighter of the Year 2014: Danny McGuigan
Volunteer of the Year: Darren McDougall
EMT of the Year: Lance McGlynn
Health & Wellness Award: Alex Ruckh 

Years of Service Awards:
5 yrs: Bobby Copland
10yrs: Dan Leven & Greg Sitek
30yrs: Simon Shakarjian
45yrs: Vince Morreale 

Honors were also bestowed to John Malinchock for his 20yrs of service as Assistant Chief EMS (26M7b), and Kevin Wilson for his service in the role of Asst. Chief. 

This year we put a brand new 2015 Chevy Tahoe ALS fly car (26M1)  into service through a very generous $30,000 donation from a local businessman who wishes to remain anonymous. Although I can’t thank this person by name publicly, his unconditional love for his community is something that we should all be very thankful for. Upper Mt. Fire Company is forever grateful, and we promise to pay it forward with our Advanced Life Support for years to come.

Our budget spending came in under for another year. And while I would like to point to responsible spending practices as a reason, the truth is when you operate on a limited budget you make most decisions on ‘need to haves’ versus the ‘nice to haves’. We budget for some ‘nice to haves’, but they tend to take a back seat because the ‘nice to haves’ typically require more work to accomplish, and let’s face it, we’ve been too damn busy to take on side projects. As a result, we have been able to put aside surplus money for future use for the 3rd year in a row. So there is always a silver lining.

As far as the Niagara County communications tower that went up in 2014 on our property, let’s just say it has been a learning experience. I’d like to say more about it, but the first lesson I learned was to say ‘no comment because of pending litigation’. Sadly, even after the judge ruled from the bench that the lawsuit was invalid, there is still the right to an appeal by the plaintiffs. So we still wait. But I will say, after listening to the first transmissions on the radio system, I did get a little teary eyed realizing the grief was worth it. We have made it a point from the start: this system will save lives! It’s unfortunate that those who wanted to stop it will never fully understand why it was so important to their lives and those of everyone in Lewiston (& Niagara County) as a whole. Always remember, it’s not just for fire and EMS, it’s for police too!

I’d also like to thank our Board of Directors. When I took office as President I asked for Board meetings two or three times a month. That was not what they signed up for based on past boards, but I felt it was necessary to keep the ball moving and to get things done. So in addition to volunteering their time as first responders, they have gone the extra mile to sacrifice their time so that our fire company is managed effectively. We couldn’t do it without them, and I for one am grateful to have such a diverse collection of experience and perspectives to work with to manage and lead our fire company.

In closing, I’d like to give a shout out to all the first responders and agencies we work with. To quote Mother Theresa, ”The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it.” For that reason, I thank you one and all. Be safe. 

- G ® e g

Greg Sitek
President 
Upper Mountain Fire Company 

With the start of spring and warmer temperatures expected, the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reminds New Yorkers that residential brush burning in towns with less than 20,000 residents is prohibited in the state through May 14.

“Along with the milder temperatures that come with spring, the risk for wildfires also increases,” DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said. “New York prohibits residential burning during the high-risk fire season to reduce the number of wildfires and protect people, property and natural resources. Since being enacted in 2009, the ban has been very effective in reducing the number of wildfires, and we want people to be aware that they need to put safety first.”

Open burning of debris is the largest single cause of spring wildfires in the state. When temperatures are warmer and grasses and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily and be further fueled by winds and the lack of green vegetation.

New York has had strict restrictions on open burning since 2009 to help prevent wildfires and reduce emissions. The regulations allow residential brush fires in towns during most of the year, but prohibit such burning in spring months – March 16 through May 15 – when most wildfires occur. Campfires using charcoal or untreated wood are allowed, but people should never leave such fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round.

In the five-year period since the ban was enacted, the average number of spring fires per year decreased by 43.2 percent, from 3,297 in 2009 to 1,425 to 2014.

Violators of the open burning state regulation are subject to both criminal and civil enforcement actions, with a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense. To report environmental law violations call 1-844-DEC-ECOS (1-844-332-3267) or report online on DEC’s website.

Some towns, primarily in and around the Adirondack Park and Catskill Park, are designated “fire towns,” and open burning is prohibited year-round in these municipalities unless an individual or group has a written permit from DEC. To find out whether a municipality is designated a “fire town” or to obtain a permit, contact the appropriate DEC regional office. A list of regional offices is available on DEC’s website.

Read more from the DEC website.

President – Greg Sitek
Vice President – Tony Pannozzo 
Treasurer – John Rutledge
Financial Secretary – Kim Nedza
Secretary – Ray Ouellette
Director (3 year) – Terry Hailey
Director (1 year) – Jen Schultz