Depew fire department reports uptick in calls, new truck returned from recall and to be placed in service; Halloween event planned

Depew’s fire department reported an uptick in emergency calls at the Sept. 22 trustees meeting and updated the board on equipment and staffing.

Fire Chief (identified in the record as Chief Musilak) told trustees the department had 27 calls since the last board meeting and a year-to-date total of about 300 calls. He said recent responses included a detached-garage fire with exposure issues, multiple vehicle accidents and a large brush fire at S and L Ranch. The chief urged residents to check smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors as colder months approach.

The chief said a newly purchased truck had been delivered months earlier but held up because of recalls from the manufacturer; recalls were addressed and the truck was returned to the department last Friday. The chief said in-service training is underway and that the truck will be placed in service on the coming Friday.

The department announced a community Halloween event scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 12, from noon to 3 p.m., with participation by police, recreation, public works and village hall; the chief said flyers will be sent home with schoolchildren and posted on social media. The trustees also approved membership pending physicals for two recruits (Elliot Mendez and Michael Matthews) and granted permission for multiple apparatus to attend live-fire training at the Amherst Fire Training Tower and for the chief’s vehicle to travel to Albany Oct. 6–7 for the New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony.

The chief thanked the mayor, trustees and village administration for continued support of department projects and training.