The sixth annual Hamlin Music Fest will feature nine hours of music from seven bands for only $5. The music begins at 3 PM on Saturday September 11th and lasts until midnight. A kan-jam tournament begins at 5 PM. Admission is just $5 to adults, children under 12 are free.

This year proceeds of this event go to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

The bands listed to appear are; Chris Moore, Jimmy Lane, 8 Days a Week, Intelligent Gun Men,  Full Throttle, Swamp Moose, and Renegade.

Parking for the event will be behind the Hamlin Firehouse at 1521 Lake Rd. The entrance to the lot is south side of the Hamlin Ambulance Building.
 

 

The Hamlin Fire Department was well represented at the Smoke, Flames and Courage antique fire truck muster in Charlotte on Saturday August 28. Hamlin's restored 1931 Ward LaFrance Engine 55, 1973 Jeep CJ Brush Truck 247 and 1985 Tanker 246 were displayed for the day. The tanker was put to use filling the boiler of the Friendship FD's steam engine and Mumford's hand pumper. Department members Keith Gay, Jessie Seeler, Sal Magovero, Cullen Hayes, Hannah Deserto and Jordan Bopp helped out doing a variety of things throughout the day including the bucket brigade, hand pumping and holding the line for the steamer demonstration. All in all it was a great day, the weather was perfect and everyone had a great time.

Story and movie by John Deserto

A large group of firefighters from Hamlin and Walker went to the North Greece live burn facility Tuesday night to practice the skills used in fighting a residential house fire. Everyone felt that this was an excellent diversion from using the Monroe County facility on Scottsville Road. The fires used in North Greece are fueled with straw and wood and create a hotter, smokier fire then the propane used by the county. Crews practiced extinguishment, primary and secondary searches and Firefighter Search and Assist techniques. Both departments are going to return in September for an additional drill and may plan on using the facilities more in the future. The Walker and Hamlin Fire Departments would like to thank North Greece for opening the facility to us.

Click on the photo’s to see the entire article.

Story and some pictures by John Deserto
Better pictures by Asst. Chief Tom Maier.
 

On Wednesday, July 28, the Hamlin Fire Department participated in the Hamlin Libraries first "Big Machine Day". Engine 242 and a crew of three firefighters joined a Monroe County Sheriff’s car, an ambulance from Hamlin Volunteer Ambulance Corp. a school bus from the Brockport Central School District, a tractor and a huge farm tractor. Attendees could inspect all the vehicles, ask questions and maybe learn a little about all the “big machines”. Library Director Kay Hughes-Dennett organized the event and was happy with the turnout. The crew of Hannah Deserto, Sal Magovero and John Deserto had a very enjoyable few hours with the public.

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Story and movie by John Deserto
Photo’s by crew
 

The Hamlin Fire Department has two new firefighters, Hannah Deserto and Sal Magovero and one old dog that needed an old trick, Joe Burke. All three completed the 90+ hour Firefighter 1 class required for all interior firefighters which includes class work and extensive hands on training. Sal, who recently joined the department, took the class that was offered several evenings per week for the span on several months. Hannah, who has been in the Explorer program, took the shorter but more intense boot camp. Joe has been a member for almost a decade but had taken the “Basic” class which was required then but needed the Firefighter 1 class so he could continue his advanced training. Joe also opted for the boot camp class and suffered through the July heat in his bunker’s.

The graduation ceremony for both classes was held on Wednesday, July 14 at MCC. Chief Sercu awarded both Hannah and Sal their permanent helmet shields and Hannah’s brother and father (Me, and I was very proud) were on stage to witness the presentation. Department members Lt. Anthony DiNatale, Rich Breslawski and Pat Doerrer were also in attendance.

Photographs in the movie from Tom Maier
Movie and story by John Deserto
 

On June 29, 2010 the three fire departments that protect the town of Hamlin (Walker, Hamlin and Morton) combined with the Kendall Fire Department to practice a water supply operation. In areas where there are no hydrants to supply water for firefighting activities the water must be delivered to the scene in large quantities. To start the process Hamlin Engine 243 drafted water from a portable pond and began to fill Kendall's Tanker 52 (3,000 gallons of water), Hamlin's Tanker 246 (2,000 gallons of water) and Morton's Pumper-Tanker 216 (2,000 gallons of water). The tankers delivered the water to several more portable ponds that Morton's Engine 215 and Walkers Engine 282 then drafted out of and pumped to several monitor nozzles.

Hamlin's Brush Fire Jeep, 247 was also used to draft out of the portable pond. Drivers from all the departments had the opportunity to pull drafts and dump water which are rarely used skills but not ones to be learned on the job.

Hamlin Engine 242 was on stand-by to cover calls in the district, Squad 2418 and crew combined with Hamlin Volunteer Ambulance to provide rehab. Hamlin's Fire Police protected the entire operation.

Still photo's by Tom Maier

Movie and story by John Deserto

The Hamlin Fire Department had several visits from kids from the Hamlin Recreation Program. The tour starts of with the kids getting picked up in fire trucks and brought to the firehouse. Then after a short tour of the facilities and a fire prevention presentation its out into the truck room to see the trucks and put on the gear. Then we deploy an attack line and do some target practice. When everyone is good and soaked, we load up the trucks and bring them back to the town hall.

Story and movie by John Deserto
 

In mid June the Hamlin Fire Department participated in the Spencerport Fire Department's parade. People in Spencerport take their parade very seriously and people start to stake out their spots the night before. Enjoy, I know we did.

Story and movie by John Deserto

From 10AM until 4PM on Saturday June 5 the Hamlin Fire Department collected voluntary tolls from passing motorists to donate to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. This was our longest and most successful boot drive yet and thanks to the generosity of the passing motorists the department members collected over $2800. 20 members of the department participated, several for the entire six hours. We would like to thank Marks Pizza in Hamlin for donating the food for this event.

Story and movie by John Deserto

Hamlin Fire Department member Mark Jacobs found a copy of the original constitution in his home. He believes this copy was originally his fathers. Big thanks to Mark for sharing.

The Hamlin Memorial Day Parade.

Photo's by Ralf Kurzowski.

April 14, 2010 – Approximately 1:45 AM


An auto heading north on the West Fork failed to negotiate a slight bend in the road and clipped a road sign, clipped a telephone pole, struck a second telephone pole breaking it off and continued traveling forward, finally crashing into a third telephone pole. The force of the crash at the second pole caused it to spin 180 degrees on the wires ending upside down and snapped a support cable for an electric pole on the other side of the road.

The Hamlin Fire Department, Squad 2418 and Engine 242, and Hamlin Ambulance were dispatched to the scene. 2C14 assumed command and patient care was administered to the driver who was able to exit the vehicle before responders were on the scene.

The victim was transported to Strong with injuries. The fire department remained on the scene until operations were turned over to the utility companies.


Click on the title or the photos for the complete story.

Story and Photos by Jerry Clement
 

Hamlin Fire Department
MVA – West Fork at Church Road
April 11, 2010 – 1:30 AM

Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputies were already on the scene when 2C114 arrived and reported a one vehicle roll-over at a MVA alarm early Sunday morning. 2C14 and 2C24 were quickly on the scene along with Squad 2418 and the Hamlin Volunteer Ambulance. Monroe ALS was also dispatched.

Both the driver and passenger were out of the vehicle and were provided patient care by the firefighters and ambulance crews. With initial medical care provided, the scene was turned over to the medical teams and the Sheriff’s Department, and the fire assignment terminated at approximately 2:00 PM.

Click on the title or the photos for the complete story.

Story and Photos by Jerry Clement
 

While Hamlin Assistant Chief Tom Maier was at work as a Kodak firefighter he came across this photo of Hamlin Engine 55 (Bertha) and crew. 55 was at Kodak Park in October 1972 as a part of Kodak's fire prevention program where fire departments from outside Kodak would present their equipment and capabilities to Kodak workers.

The crew (from left to right) are, Vin Batty, Jack Prince, a 19 year old Allen Smith, David Maar and Rob Koss. Both Vinn and Jack were Chiefs in the department at one time or another, Allen is currently the Deputy Chief and Rob was President of the department. David moved to Brockport after this photo was taken.

Special Thanks to Tom Maier for sharing this photo and Daryl Prince (Kodak and Hamlin Chief) for identifying the crew and sharing his knowledge.

Story by John Deserto

On Saturday March 13 all three fire departments joined together for the first combined banquet celebration, which was held at the Hilton Exempts Club. The evening began with an open bar which was followed by a delicious buffet catered by Carmestro’s. Awards were presented by the current Chief’s and Presidents of all three departments for: Most Active, Most Training, Years of Service and several individual awards for outstanding achievement. Of special note was the presentation for Greg Speer, past chief of Walker. An open bar and dancing followed the presentations. It was also announced that the three fire districts that serve the Town of Hamlin have commissioned a feasibility study to examine the possibility of combining the three departments into a singe organization.

Special Thanks to the fill in crews from Brockport, Spencerport and Churchville, they eat well and had a quiet night.

Photo’s by Tom Maier
Story by John Deserto