- Moyers Corners Fire Department
-
Moyers Corners Fire Department 
Established 1948 Staffing Volunteer Strength Over 130 Firefighters Stations 4 Engines 6 Trucks 2 Squads 4 Rescues 2 EMS Level BLS The Moyers Corners Fire Department, also known as MCFD or The Corners, has a ISO 3 Rating and is a 100% volunteer department located in the densely populated northern division of Onondaga County, New York. It provides fire, rescue and emergency medical services within the Town of Clay, New York. With an urban/suburban response coverage area of approximately 23 square miles (60 km2), the department protects a resident population of over 55,000 and a daytime population of over 75,000. A diversified district of extensive single-family dwellings, multiple occupancy apartments, townhouses and garden apartment structures, industrial facilities, business and office parks and commercial and retail centers and complexes. Major interstate and highway systems criss-crosses through the district that includes major rail lines and over 5 miles (8.0 km) of waterfront. The Moyers Corners Fire Department runs about an average 1700 alarms annually [1]
Contents
Charter Members
- William Arnold
- Harvey Bettinger
- Howard Bettinger
- Laverne Bowley
- Kenneth Brand
- Phillip Brand
- Kenneth Brown
- Robert Buck
- Wesley Buck
- Bud Carter
- Elio Casale
- Donald Currier
- Newell Donaldson
- Richard Dudley
- Willard Dudley
- Milton Earle
- Cecil Gillespy
- Sewell Haney
- Edward Harke, Sr.
- Burdette Harris
- Frank Haskill
- William Hourihan
- Harold Jenson
- John Karl, Jr.
- Thomas Jones
- Edward Karker
- Stephen Koegel
- Harold Lewis
- Leonard Mackey
- Roy Mackey
- Paul Marshall
- Earl McWhithey
- Edwin Melvin
- Lyman Melvin
- Richard Plummer
- Thomas Rich
- Robert Samuels
- Hubert Schmidt
- Donald VanStyke
- Edward Yourman
History
In 1948 the Clay community saw the beginning of one of the finest fire departments in the country. It started back in November when Ken Brand was standing helplessly, watching Lyman Melvin’s garage burn down. He waited for the Liverpool Fire Department to arrive. The Liverpool Fire Department did arrive, but they stopped at the town line, telling Ken that they could not cross because they did not have the insurance coverage. As everyone watched the garage burn down, Ken said, “By God, tomorrow we will start our own fire department.” This was the beginning of Moyers Corners Fire Department. Ken went from house to house, looking for men interested in becoming members. They held their first meeting in a cow barn with approximately fifteen men, who all paid twenty dollar dues. After holding several meetings and a ‘public hearing’ with the Town of Clay, the search was on for a fire truck. As luck had it, a man was stopped at the gas station on the corner with car trouble. This man told Ken that his car needed to be fixed immediately; he was heading to a town outside of Buffalo to sell a used fire truck. Ken asked him, “Fire truck, what year?” The man replied that it was a 1922 American LaFrance. Ken asked him how much he wanted for it, and the man quoted five hundred dollars. Ken then asked him, “Will you sell it to us?” And the man replied, “I’ll sell it to anybody.” Ken ran home and called four of the members, who agreed to buy the truck, and then returned with Ken to drive the man home to Buffalo. They then returned with the American LaFrance. The men now felt that they were a true fire department. The new fire truck was housed at the gas station until a fire barn could be built.[2]
Station 1
Motto - "Pride of the Northside"
All of the members volunteered their time to build a new fire house. Some of the men, such as Ken, Earl McWithey, Fred Harke, Paul Marshall, Buck Shader, and Ed Melvin even worked through half of the night. In addition, the men worked every weekend. The building was soon completed in the fall of 1948, and the ‘new’ fire truck now had a home. Station 1 located 150' North East of the Rt.31/Rt 57 intersection. The original building was involved in a fire in the 1980s and subsequently taken down. Today a single story pole barn is in this location. The present day Moyers Corners Station 1 is located across the street from this location. For nearly four years, until 1952, the department operated with the 1922 American LaFrance and an old acquired oil tanker that was converted into a water truck. This tanker was purchased by Tony Lewis. In 1952, Moyers Corners purchased their first new truck, a 1952 GMC pumper, a “Jimmy” engine with a 250 gpm pump and a 500-US-gallon (1,900 L) tank. It manned two in the cab, and four on the tailboard. 1952 progressed into a landmark year for the department. In addition to the tanker and pumper, the "Ladies" Auxiliary purchased the department’s first ambulance at a cost of five hundred dollars. All three pieces of equipment proved to be useful by answering approximately twenty-five fire calls and thirty ambulance calls. Presently at Station 1 a 2006 Pierce Quantum (Engine Company 11), 2008 Pierce Straight Tip 100 feet (Ladder Company 1), and a 2002 Ford Expedition (Squad Company 1).
Station 2
Motto -“You want a small hole where?” “Chief we got it”
In 1948 the 1952 GMC Pumper "Jimmy" was moved to Melvin’s barn on Route 57. This barn later became Station 2, which was located at the corner of Route 57 and John Glen Boulevard (just south of where Wegman’s is today). The GMC was the first Station 2 Engine Company, and it serviced the Station 2 response area up until 1981. In 1980, work was underway for the expansion of the station. The new expansion included the addition of three apparatus bays, renovation of the existing recreation room into an ambulance bay, a bunk room for overnight standbys, and construction of a full kitchen, a day room, conference room and office areas. Apparatus where relocated as a result of the opening of Moyers Corners Fire Station 3. In July 1998, Station 2 was once again renovated and became a fully modernized fire station with new drivethrough double bays, department business offices, meeting and conference rooms, blood-borne decon rooms, sleeping quarters, and maintenance facilities. The station is now home to the Second Battalion, Presently at station 2 a 2006 Pierce Quantum (Engine Company 21),1999 Pierce Engine (Engine Company 22), 2010 Sutphen 100-foot (30 m) Aerial Tower (Truck Company 2), and a 2002 Ford Expedition (Squad Company 2).
Station 3
Motto – “Southside Express” “All Hands”
The tremendous growth and increase in alarm activities, and the need for timely response to the furthest southern area of the department’s district identified the need for an additional fire station. Forover thirty years, the department operated as a two station department; this changed with the construction and apparatus assignments to Fire Station 3. Established in 1980 on Henry Clay Boulevard, between West Taft Road and the intersection of Vine Street, Station 3 was constructed as a fully operational four bay fire station with a full complement of facilities. As the station was under construction in the late 1970s, new personnel were recruited to man this fire station. These new firefighters reported to Station 2 for an extended period of time prior to the completion of Station 3, in order to receive the appropriate training and gain operational experience. These personnel, as well as the existing Station 2 personnel who lived in the newly established Station Three response area, would eventually compromise the station’s membership. Station Three has seen the establishment and designation of its response area as the Third Battalion. With a mixed occupancy response area, the station sees extensive box alarm assignments for mutual aid with the Liverpool and North Syracuse Fire Departments. Presently at Station 3 there are a 1999 Pierce Quantum (Engine Company 31), 1997 Pierce Quantum (Engine Company 32), 2001 Saulsbury Heavy Rescue (Rescue Company 3), 1980 International (HazMat 3), and a 2004 Ford Expedition (Squad Company 3).
Station 4
Motto – “No challenge too great, no rescue too difficult”
This station was constructed in 1991 to meet the increasing demands associated with the growth and emergency responses in the northern and central response areas of the district that occurred throughout the 1980s. Located on Oswego Road/Route 57 across from Seneca Mall, it has three apparatus bays, sleeping quarters, meeting and day rooms, and offices. The fire station’s response first due district was a composite of areas formally covered by Station 1 and Station 2, with its first manning complement composed of personnel from both stations. Original Station 4 personnel included twenty-four firefighters. Currently, Station Four has 25 members. Presently at Station 4 there are a 2003 Saulsbury Heavy Rescue (Rescue Company 4), 2010 Pierce Quantum (Engine Company 41), and a 2006 Ford Super Duty with custom box (Squad Company 4).
Station 5
At this time, MCFD owns land in the far northern section of their district but has not built station 5. At the current time the department's call volume and number of volunteers does not require a need for a 5th station.
"Ladies" Auxiliary
On May 25, 1948, Betty (Brand) Hanlon invited the wives of the Moyers Corners Fire Department to her home proposing that they form an auxiliary. There were seventeen ladies present. Acting as chairperson, Betty explained that the purpose of an auxiliary was to help out the firemen in anyway that they needed. A vote was taken, and the auxiliary was formed. It was decided that a wife, mother, sister, or daughter of a fireman was eligible, and they must reside in the fire district. Elections followed with Betty (Brand) Hanlon, President; Carolyn Samuels, Vice President; Doris Bowley, Secretary; Margery Arnold, Treasurer. Corresponding Secretary and Chaplain were added later.
At the second meeting, by-laws were formed and dues were set at twenty-five cents each month, which remains the same today. Through the years, by-laws were changed many times, including dropping 'Ladies' from the organizations name. It was decided to hold meetings at individual's homes. At the time, the men met at Lyman Melvin's barn, which housed the first fire truck.
During the First Year, the auxiliary was able to purchase badges, helmets, and gloves for the firemen, as well as donate $100.00 collected through various fund raising efforts. In June 1948, the auxiliary joined the Onondaga County Auxiliary of North Syracuse, and later joined the New York State Auxiliary in May 1949. Delegates were appointed to the County and State. At this time, all members attended monthly county meetings which were held at different firehouses. Presently, the County does not meet in January or February, and the auxiliary not pays the expenses for our delegates to attend the State Convention, held at the same time as the men's, in a different city each year.
In 1949, under a tent that stood where Station 1 is now, they held their first Field Days. The following year they were held on Elmcrest Road under tents, and this was when they bought uniforms and accessories to start marching. A first place was won in Baldwinsville. All of the auxiliary members marched, and were led by two girl scouts carrying their banner.
While the firemen were building the fire station, the auxiliary would feed the men at Betty's house. In September 1949, the held their first meeting at the new fire house, which is presently across the street from Station 1, and the site of the old field days. In 1950, they gave the firemen $100.00 to purchase an inch-and-a-half nozzle and new coats. Shortly after, we held a kitchen shower to stock our kitchen.
In 1951 and 1952, the auxiliary purchased the firemen's first ambulance, which was used, for $500.00. The auxiliary was accepted to the Strike It Rich program in New York City, in which several of the girls participated in. The auxiliary took full responsibility for the ambulance, including insurance and the supplies for several years. Supplies included a cardiac monitor, stair chair, neonatal resuscitator, power pack, rescue kit, and rescue saw. As the insurance increased, they only paid half. Some of the girls took first aid and rode in the ambulance. The would also ride on the ambulance and assist with relay of patients from one city to another along the thruway.
Their first dinner was held at the Methodist Church in Euclid, prior to the firehouse being built. Through the years, they held various money making projects. Included are white elephant sales, bake sales, Stanley and Dutchman parties, cosmetic parties, wedding receptions, calendar dinners, cake walks, sample fairs, chicken barbecues, dances, amateur nights, and fashion shows. The also sold vanilla, magazines, food choppers, pocket books, cookbooks, peanut brittle, cards, and belt rings. They advertised on card tables. The auxiliary held smorgasbord dinners, cabaret nights, postal auctions, smokerettes, and saved labels for CCA contest. In addition, they held monthly dinners for Suburban Gas Company and sold refreshments at Bingo.
The men's softball team won the Northern Section Softball Tournament one year, and the VFW in Phoenix, New York put on a clambake for them, in which they purchased the tickets. In 1966, one of the bigger expenses was three deep fryers for the men's fish dinners. Several times through the year they would hold dinners and invite the wives of the firemen whom were not involved in the auxiliary. 1973 was the ground breaking for the new Station 1. They purchased a complete set of Syracuse China for the kitchen; before we only had odd pieces of china. In 1975 and 1976 their big expenses were drapes, three utility carts, a coffee maker, waitress stand, freezer, six new tables, and a trailer sign for the front of Station 1. They also gave money to the burn unit at Upstate Hospital. In 1978 and 1979, they donated $1000.00 to the ambulance fund drive. At this time, they also put on luncheons at the Plaza Nursing Home. In 1979, they held a spaghetti supper to supply the kitchen for Station 3. During these few years, they also helped the firemen with their pancake breakfasts on Sunday mornings. The Moyers Corners Fire Department Auxiliary has also adopted firemen at the Firemen's Home in Hudson, New York, and donate annually to the small change fund at the home. In the 1980s, the auxiliary continued to donate to the Fire Department and Rescue Squad. They purchased new drapes for the stations, kitchen equipment and supplies, and have donated money to the firemen to finish remolding the Day Room. The also purchased a fire radio for the purpose of responding to 10-10s (Signal 99s) quicker.
Student Bunk-in Program
The Moyers Corners Fire Department has been running a Student Bunk-in Program for some time now, and it has been a tremendous success. Students who are enrolled in the Fire Protection Technology Curriculum at Onondaga Community College live at the fire stations. In return for living at the fire stations, the students work regular duty shifts to help maintain the fire stations and apparatus, and when an alarm comes in, act as firefighters and respond with the apparatus. This has not only helped to keep the facilities and apparatus well maintained, but has also helped the daytime staffing.
Sports
Every summer MCFD plays softball in the Onondaga County Northern Section Firefighter's Softball League.
- 2008 - 3rd Place League, 4th Place Playoffs
- 2007 - 4th Place League, 4th Place Playoffs
- 2006 - 1st Place League, 1st Place Playoffs
- 2005 - 1st Place League, 2nd Place Playoffs[3]
- 2004 - 1st Place League
- 2003 - 1st Place League
- 2002 - 1st Place Playoffs, 2nd League
- 2001 - 1st Place League and Playoffs
- 2000 - 2nd Place League, 3rd Place Playoffs
- 1999 - 3rd Place League, 3rd Place Playoffs
- 1998 - First Place League, First Place Playoffs
Alarm Type
Alarm Type Meaning 50 All Hands, Man Down 79 Car Accident with No Injuries. 80 Car Accident with Injuries. 98 "Structure Fire" Bring multiple units to the scene of the alarm. 99 "Major Structure Fire" Upgrade from a 98. Major Fires 2000 - Present
On 4/23/05, 25 different Fire Departments where called to Recycle America Alliance for a warehouse fire in the Moyers Corners district. Firefighters would work shifts to put out piles of Recyclables.
On 8/6/07 in Baldwinsville, New York a reported Structure Fire at the corner of W. Genesee St. and Oswego Streets. As a Chief from Baldwinsville Fire Department arrived he reported Heavy smoke and Fire showing on the second Floor and it was declared a "Signal 99.” the volunteers from Moyers Corners provided 4 companies (Engine Company 12, Engine Company 41, Truck Company 2, and Rescue Company 3) to this 6 alarm fire.
References
External links
Official websites
- [1] http://www.mcfd.org/ - MCFD Homepage
- [2] http://www.mcfd.org/About/pages.php?page=softball_main - MCFD Softball Homepage
Other websites
- [3] http://www.townofclay.org - Town of Clay, NY
- [4] http://www.sunyocc.edu/ - Onondaga Community College
Categories:- Onondaga County, New York
- Fire departments in New York
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