Archive: Around Town

Even fire fighters and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) deserve a night off, or especially emergency responders.  Lansing Volunteer Fire Department members got their night Saturday for its Officer Installation Banquet.  Fire Department members were joined by their families, representatives from neighboring departments and local dignitaries for the annual dinner-dance.

"I extend my best wishes to the officers as they move on in the year ahead," said Department of Emergency Response Director Lee Shurtleff. "They are offering an oath of service.  In recognition of the fact that they have made a commitment, not just to the Department, but to their community.  They share a deep love for the fire service.  Nothing happens without the leadership of the officers of these departments."

Lansing department members elect their officers each year.  This year's officers are Chief Scott Purcell, Deputy Chief Brad George, 1st Assistant Chief Dennis Griffin, 2nd Assistant Chief Todd Mix, 3rd Assistant Chief Joe Lisi, Captain Josh Nalley, Lieutenant Nelson Golden, and Lieutenant Mike Robinson.  At the beginning of the ceremony, they were sworn in by Shurtleff.

Purcell thanked a number of organizations and local businesses that contribute to fire safety in Lansing, including mutual aid fire departments that respond when Lansing volunteers are not available or need extra help.  Lansing received help on 28 emergencies last year, and provided help to other departments 25 times.  The Cayuga Heights Fire Department assisted Lansing 23 times last year.

"We want to thank all that provided us support when in need, and all mutual aid departments that call upon us for our support," Purcell said. "I'd like to thank the Village and Town Code Enforcement offices for geosite building plans, allowing access consideration for apparatus, fire alarm locations, and overall making sure that things are built correctly and inspected on a regular basis to keep our residents and fire fighters safe."


The Lansing Volunteer Fire Department responded to 926 emergencies in 2017, including 507 Emergency Medical Service (EMS) calls and 419 fire calls.  The top responder for 2017 was Kyle Steiner, who responded to 346 of those calls.  Steiner also celebrated his first year of service to the department, and was recognized as EMS Responder of the Year.  Second overall responder was Zach Steiner with 168 calls; and Rebecca Drake and Terry Jackson were tied for third overall responder with 164 calls each.  Grey Bartholomew, Brandon Fairbanks, Dan Ferguson, Nelson Golden, Josh Nalley, Mike Robinson, and Tristin Warner each responded to more than 100 calls.

The Training Awards went to Terry Jackson for most in-house training (83 1/2 hours), and Tristin Warner for the most outside of the Department training.  Serving for one year year in the department, Warner was named Rookie of the Year.  he responded to 154 calls, and completed EMT class and Firefighter Boot Camp, logging the most overall training hours, including 47.5 in-house and 101 outside training hours last year.  This year he'll be leaving the department to take a job working for Bangs Ambulance Service.


12 volunteers were named for the Chief's Award this year, for outstanding service beyond the call of duty.  The award is displayed at Central Fire Station, honoring volunteers who go on a lot of calls, exceed minimum training requirements, and do most of the weekly truck checks.  Grey Bartholomew, Gary Brooker, Rebecca Drake, Nelson Golden, Terry Jackson, Traci Lisi, Nolan Milliman, Josh Nalley, Mike Robinson, Kyle Steiner, Zach Steiner, and Tristin Warner were honored this year.

Kyle Steiner, Jolene Brooker, Tristin Warner were each honored for one year of service.  Gary Brooker, Ashli Carlton, Heather Myers, Nelson Golden, Terry Jackson, and Mike Robinson have served the department for five years, and Brad George was recognized for 25 years of service.


Alvin Parker was honored with the Joe 'Ditty" Joseph award for at least 50 years of service to the department.  A Ludlowville native he joined Ludlowville Company # 2 before the current department was organized.  he has served as a chief, and for the past 20 years has served as Fire Commissioner and is District Secretary.

"In my tenure as Chief he has overseen many construction projects such as additions to Central Station, the new training tower facility, and the new Station 5, not to mention many smaller projects," Purcell said. "A lot of work by the Board of Commissioners is behind-the-scenes stuff that goes unnoticed by many, but as Chief it is nice to know that if there's a problem with any facility I can call Alvin and it's taken care of, or at least we can come up with a plan together."


The Dedication and Service awards for 2017 went to Nelson Golden and Traci Lisi.

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