Via GBFD.net Come Out to the Gertritsen Beach Fire Department & See What It’s All About
The Gerrittsen Beach Fire Department is opening its doors to area residents, so they can learn about what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter in their community, as part of a statewide program called Recruit NY. Over the last several years, it has been very tough for many fire departments throughout New York State to recruit and retain volunteers for a variety of reasons. Like most volunteer fire departments, the Gerritsen Beach Fire Department needs to bolster its emergency responder numbers, so it can continue to provide the optimum level of protection for its residents. Now more than ever, they need more of their neighbors joining their fire department.
On Saturday, April 9th & Sunday, April 10thbetween 12pm – 3pm, the Gerrittsen Beach Fire Departmentlocated 52 Seba Avenue will join in an initiative with volunteer fire departments all across the state at their respective firehouses for a unified recruitment drive, as part of National Volunteer Week 2011. Not only willRecruit NY be an opportunity to highlight the duties and rewards that come with being a volunteer firefighter, it will also raise public awareness about the need for volunteers. The hope is that a collaborative effort among volunteer fire departments statewide will turn the declining number of volunteer firefighters around.
“Come on out and join us for this unique recruitment day at our firehouse,” said Doreen Greenwood Assistant Chief. “This is a great opportunity for our neighbors to observe the tasks of a firefighter and EMT. Our current members love what they do; they are everyday heroes who help neighbors in need. We hope our recruitment day will inspire other area residents to join our fire service family.”
Throughout the day, the Gerrittsen Beach Fire Department will conduct tours of the station and firefighter apparatus, allow visitors to try on turnout gear, and provide activities and stations throughout the firehouse for visitors to participate in.The fire department willdiscuss the requirements to be a volunteer, as well as conduct demonstrations, answer questions, and let visitors know how to get involved in the fire department.
There has been much excitement around the Firehouse this past year. The department’s Instructors have been teaching an Emergency Medical Technician course at the Vollies Memorial Training Hall since February. This class will give the department 6 new EMTs to ride the ambulance. There have also been many new firefighters in training along with many new dispatchers. Special Services has been activated so that everyone can offer their expertise to assist the department in their new growth. We are very happy to have past members join us again to share their expertise.
October 2010 began our 2011 annual fund drive. Letters requesting donations were delivered to the doors of over 2,000 homes and businesses in Gerrittsen Beach. Also, in October our Officers and Fire Council were elected into office. The Chief, John Czap and our Corporation President Vincent Mezzatesta have been directing the department since our Installation of Officers ceremony that was held during the Holiday party in December.
This month, our annual payment of $29,733.12 is due for the Community Fire Truck. Insurance payments of $29,000.00 are paid through the year for liability for the trucks and buildings. Supplies, equipment and operations run a costly $50,000.00 annually. These expenses cannot be paid without your help. To date a total of less than 20% of the total homes and businesses have donated.
Save the dates; April 9 and 10th from noon-3pm is a weekend to Learn more about the volunteer fire service in your community. Volunteer NY will be held at the firehouse. All local volunteer fire services will be joining us all over the state. The entire community is welcome to come by. On June 18th at 9am, we will be hosting a blood drive in our training hall. On June 24th at 7pm in the Cort Club, we will hold our annual Chinese Auction. Your support is necessary to keep our unique organization afloat. Gerrittsen Beach Fire Department is the only Volunteer Fire Department in Brooklyn.
Please take a moment to send in your annual donation in the enclosed postage paid envelope. Golden donor this year is $85.00 but every donation counts towards our fundraising efforts. Please send what ever you can as soon as possible. If you have already donated this year, thank you . You will be receiving your fund drive sticker in July, after our fund drive is closed for 2011.
The Gerrittsen Beach Fire Department is going to have that $520 bill, paid by our elected officials.
The bill is going to be split three ways amongst Councilman Lew Fidler, Assemblyman Alan Maisel, and State Senator Marty Golden. However, at this time this same bill will come up next year if the city council does not exempt the Vollies from this tax. Paying this bill now is a short time fix.
As a long term fix, Councilman Fidler has introduced legislation to exempt the Vollies and similar organizations from this fee.
The Gerrittsen Beach Volunteer Fire Department was recently surprised by $520 bill for inspection of the Blue Star Mothers Hall. The Blue Star Mothers Hall is where the “Volleys” hold most of their training for the community. In June 2009, the City Council enacted legislation as part of the Ficsal year 2010 budget package to amend the New York City Fire Code to limit the exemption from fees for Fire Department permits, inspections, and witnessing of required system performance tests. This “fee” has long been in place but many groups, including the Vollies, have always been exempted. The whole point of removing that exemption and assessing this fee, was to raise money to prevent the closure of any FDNY firehouses.
Our City Councilman Lew Fidler has said “To impose a fee that was intended to help keep firehouses open on Volunteer Firefighters is not only ironic, but wrong headed. Our community in particular knows the important work the Vollies do at no cost to the City. Putting unnecesary burdens on them that endanger their ability to continue is foolish.” The Councilman is going to introduce legislation that would exempt the Vollies, and similar volunteer services, from this fee in the future. They have submitted the paperwork to start the legislative process for it earlier this morning!
Effective June 29, 2009, Fire Code Section FC117.2.1 exempts from such fees only premises predominantly used by a religious or educational institution for the following purposes:
(1) A house of worship, or dwelling units for members of the clergy which are situated on or adjacent to the same premises as the house of worship; or
(2) A school accredited by the State of New York providing kindergarten through twelfth grade education.
With another possible snow storm coming the Gerrittsen Beach Fire Department is urging everyone to clear fire hydrants on your block and to keep them clear as much as possible during the storm.
If you remember exactly one year ago there was a Devastating fire at 77 Bevy Court and the main problem was frozen hydrants which delayed a response. While we cannot prevent frozen hydrants clearing snow around hydrant is something we can do.
On Saturday, December 25th GBFD began preparing for the snowstorm. The Fire Engine and Ambulance were driven to the gas station to fill up the gas tanks. Extra Blankets and sand were put on the rigs. The chains for the tires were prepared in case we needed them. All members of the Vollies came to prepare the rigs for the storm. This took about 4 hours.
On Sunday, December 26th, GBFD continued preparations for the snowstorm. Extra shovels were brought from the basement and snow melt was divided for each rig. Crews were set for night crews and sleepover crews were set. The snow began early as the Vollies scurried to finish their preparations. The chains were put on the rigs about 6pm as the snow grew in inches. The crews were tucked inside of the Training hall and the cots were brought out.
Monday morning the calls began as we struggled to get help to all that needed it. The first call came in at 8:30am which was a mutual aide. FDNY called our dispatcher to say that they couldn’t get an ambulance anytime soon to someone that needed help. Our GBFD transported this stroke patient to a local hospital with the assistance of Engine 321. The next 2 calls were in the new section. Thanks to neighbors and friends shoveling paths for us, two more lives were saved. One call in particular was an amazing effort. Going into the street with my fly car, I dropped off a team of rescuers with equipment to begin care as the ambulance was still at the hospital with the second call of the day. All friends and neighbors with shovels came out of their houses to clear the sidewalk for the stretcher. FDNY Engine 321 arrived to assist in lifting the patient. As our ambulance then arrived, all trucks waited on Gerritsen Avenue. We pulled the stretcher through the snow and realized the ambulance wasn’t going to make it. A private tree Service Truck with a plow appeared and plowed from Gerritsen to Dictum Ct. The Ambulance was able to transport the critical patient with Emergency Medical Technicians on board. Tuesday, with the assistance of residents and neighbors, three more patients were transported to area hospitals with the department of sanitation assisting.
It is with great pride that I write this letter to you today, not only because I am a part of this amazing group of people but because of the great community effort to help neighbors and assistance in life saving efforts.
This letter is a big Thank you from the Gerrittsen Beach Fire Department to everyone that assisted us on those tough calls. You are ALL very special people.
The Gerritsen Beach Volunteer Fire Department has been ready to handle any Gerritsen Beach emergency since the start of the blizzard.
The FDNY and EMS response times have been completely compromised during the blizzard. Any normal type of response to Gerritsen Beach would be difficult if not impossible. The Vollies have taken up that slack going on multiple emergency medical calls.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade was not the only exciting parade Thanksgiving Day.
The Gerritsen Beach Fire Department held their Annual Ragamuffin parade for the families and children of Gerritsen Beach. Santa, a contingent of costumed Vollies, and the Gerritsen Beach Marching Band wave and escort many families who walk behind to get their chance to see Santa. The last stop is the Vollies Blue Star Mothers Hall where Santa meets and greets the children.
For 88 years your Volunteer Fire Department has protected life and property in Gerritsen Beach. With the support of the community, this service and dedication will continue. Once again, your Vollies are coming to you with the mission to sustain our heritage of community service with a Fund Drive for 2011.
Every donation counts towards contributing to the budget that allows us to continue serving the Gerritsen Beach community. We are very grateful for any size donation within your resources. In the past many families have contributed in the form of a “Golden Donor” gift of $85.00. This donation from every family in our community will assure the continued security of a volunteer fire department. Potentially, your donation may be doubled or tripled by your employers matching gift program. In that case please submit any forms necessary to engage that opportunity. Please, submit your donation using the enclosed postage paid envelope with your name and return address, so that we can properly thank you at the conclusion of the fund drive. Checks should be made payable to “Gerrittsen Beach Fire Department”.
The Vollies are always looking for new members. If you or someone you know living in Gerritsen Beach would like to volunteer, please contact us at 718-332-9292. No experience is necessary; we train members to be dispatchers, firefighters, and even New York State Certified Emergency Medical Technicians. We also gladly welcome any residents who just want to lend a helping hand.
As always, in case of any medical or fire related emergency, immediately contact our trained dispatcher at 718-332-3333. We are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The long awaited work on the Vollies roof has started!
The condition of the roof were so bad that the Vollies started getting used to leaks and even became afraid of it caving in. They didn’t want to lose the building so, although money will be tight for the foreseeable future, it’s getting done, while remaining in the black.
Money to fix the roof has been raised though what the Vollies normally do: teaching state funded EMT courses, holding CPR classes, and constant constant constant fundraising. Because of their efforts the Vollies have able to pay their bills and been able to raise funds for the roof.
The Vollies hope they will be receiving most – if not all – of the money back though state grants that have already been applied for. However, there are no guarantees that the state money will materialize.
After reviewing many estimates by licensed and insured contractors work began this week
According to Assistant Chief, Doreen Greenwood:
Support of the community must continue through our 2011 fund drive so that we can continue to stay in the black with our incoming insurance and truck payments. The mailing is already out to the community. Other operating costs come in every month for supplies, gas, electric, phone etc. We are hoping that the community sends in their donations early this year to help in our fundraising efforts.
We are very excited that there will be no more inside leaks. There was some damage to the ceilings that will need to be replaced.
We probably won’t know if the grant will come in until the spring so, until then, we continue to struggle to stay afloat since 1922.
The Vollies will continue to hold monthly CPR classes, continue on with EMT Courses at the Training Hall and continue with their constant constant did I say constant fundraising. They are also planning our annual card party in June.
There are no Oscars for haunted house actors, but the Vollies Haunted House actors certainly deserved one. The actors were great and the whole Blue Star hall was decorated to be very scary.
At least they will have bragging rights because their Haunted House was amazing.
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