Fire

In case of emergency, call 9-1-1

Every day Americans experience the horror of fire. But most people don't understand fire. Only when we know the true nature of fire can we prepare ourselves and our families. Each year more than 4,000 Americans die and approximately 25,000 are injured in fires, many of which could be prevented.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA), a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), believes that fire deaths can be reduced by teaching people the basic facts about fire. See above attachments for some simple facts that explain the particular characteristics of fire.

Fire Inspections

State Law mandates every industrial, commercial, and multiple dwelling be inspected once a year and follow up corrective inspections must be made if necessary.

Difference Between Fire District and Fire Company

      Fire halls in the Town of West Seneca identify with two names; one is the fire company and the other, fire district. There are six companies and districts in town. One might think the district and company are synonymous.  Absolutely incorrect; something that seems simple begs an explanation. It cannot be done without due clarification of each.  It becomes especially thorny considering volunteer departments in other towns and villages may follow very different set of legal reporting structures and funding sources.

      For West Seneca we look to our history and legislative action of the town and state. The town’s companies and corresponding district: Winchester (District 1); Union (District 2); Reserve (District 3); East Seneca (District 4); Seneca Hose (District 5) and Vigilant (District 6). The functions between the company and district will be clarified first in the district concept and then fire company with a look into the historic evolution and role of fire companies.

      Fire districts were codified in New York State Town Law with impact by 17 related state laws.  In 1935, based on the state law change, the Town of West Seneca separated the responsibility for firefighting from the historically established fire companies into six separate fire districts. These new fire districts were empowered as individual municipalities with authority to levy taxes and expend revenues independent of each other and the town. Hence the six districts in town operate separately but rely on each other by a “mutual aid” agreement during times of high volume and demanding calls.

      The governing body of the fire district comprises five commissioners each elected for a five-year term in a public election held the second Tuesday in December. Any registered voter in each respective district is eligible to vote and run for office. One commissioner is elected at a time to provide a continuity of management. The board establishes rules & regulations related to administration, fire suppression, rescue and emergency medical services, and fire prevention. These rules provide for the standard of conduct and operation of every district. Rule-making as applied here is the administrative counterpart of what a legislative body does when it enacts a statute.

      Succinctly stated, each fire district is an independent political subdivision of the State of New York; organized to save lives and property and other activities deemed to be in the best interest of the residents of the district. Under authority of the commissioner board and elected by first responders, the fire chief, a well matriculated firefighter, has the highest level of authority at a fire or emergency incident, and is responsible for the general direction and operation of the fire department. The chief is responsible for the direction of personnel at the scene and for the safety and security of all responders and other persons.  But hold no illusion, first responders answering emergency calls and calls for service are the most recognizable to residents and deserving of due recognition.