In accordance with Town Law 175 C, notice is hereby given that the Board
of Fire Commissioners of the South Wales Fire District #1 shall hold a
public election to fill the Office of Fire District Commissioner on
December 13, 2022. This position will have a term of office from
January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2027. The election will take place at
the South Wales Volunteer Fire Hall, Route 16 in South Wales, NY from
7:30pm – 9:00pm. To have your name placed on the ballot a petition
with twenty-five (25) qualified voter signatures must be filed with the
Fire District Secretary no later than December 3, 2022. Mail all
petitions to the attention of: Fire District Secretary P.O. Box 94,
South Wales, NY 14139.
Author Archives:
2023 Proposed Budget
NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING
In accordance with Town Law 175 C, notice is hereby given that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the South Wales Fire District #1 shall hold a public hearing on October 18, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. at the South Wales Fire Hall, 6406 Olean Road, South Wales, New York.
This hearing will be held to fully discuss the proposed 2023 Fire District Budget and to receive input from the residents of said fire district on this budget.
Preliminary Budget 2023
Annual meeting of the South Wales Fire District No. 1
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South Wales Fire District No.1
Agenda For Annual Meeting – January 1, 2023
Meeting Scheduled for 11 AM
Page 1 of 3
1) MEETING OPENED BY DESIGNATED MEMBER (Joe Argenio) @11:00 hrs.)
2) NEWLY ELECTED COMMISSIONER SWORN IN (Jeff Heitman)
-Secretary to notarize and file with E.A and Wales Town Clerks within 30 days.
3) NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON (Paul Rose___)
** CHAIRPERSON ASSUMES CONTROL OF MEETING **
4) ACCEPT AND SWEAR IN ELECTED DISTRICT CHIEFS AND OFFICERS
CHIEF – Marty O’Connor)
FIRST ASSISTANT – (Jason Breeser)
SECOND ASSISTANT – (Gary Wysocki)
5) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1 PASS AND
APPROVE THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS:
A) THE APPOINTMENT OF: Julie Wysocki AS SECRETARY OF THE SOUTH
WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1 SECRETARY SHAL SERVE AS CUSTODIAN OF
RECORDS AND RETENTION ACCESS OFFICER.
B) THE APPOINTMENT OF: Charles Kramer AS TREASURER OF THE SOUTH
WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1
C) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1
ACCOUNTANT SHALL BE MARK ADAMCHICK (SALARY PER HOUR)
D) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1 ATTORNEY
SHALL BE RON BENNETT (SALARY PER HOUR).
E) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1 INSURANCE
AGENT SHALL BE TOM BRADY FROM POTTER HARRIS AGENCY.
F) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1 OFFICIAL
NEWSPAPER SHALL BE THE EAST AURORA ADVERTISER.
G) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1 OFFICIAL
BANK SHALL BE THE BANK OF HOLLAND AND AUTHORIZES THE TREASURER
AND CHAIRPERSON SIGN CHECKS. TWO SIGNATURES FOR CHECKS OVER
$1000.00.
H) REAFFIRMS THE INVESTMENT POLICY AND THE RESOLUTIONS THAT
ESTABLISHED CAPITAL RESERVE FUNDS AND FUEL RESERVE FUND.
I) REAFFIRMS DISTRICT PROCUREMENT AND PURCHASING POLICY.
J) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1 APPROVES
MEMBERSHIP IN THE ASSOCIATION OF FIRE DISTRICTS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK, AND THE REGIONAL ASSOCIATION.
K) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1 CONTINUE
THE DEFENSE AND INDEMNIFICATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE
OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT (NY LAW
174(6) SECTION 18).
L) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1 AUTHORIZES
THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS & DISTRICT TREASURER TO ATTEND
CONVENTIONS, TRAINING AND SEMINARS.
M) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1
AUTHORIZES THE FIRE CHIEF TO SEND PEOPLE FOR TRAINING AND TO
EXPEND TRAINING FUNDS.
South Wales Fire District No.1
Agenda For Annual Meeting – January 1, 2023
Meeting Scheduled for 11 AM
Page 2 of 3
N) BE IT RESOLVED THAT TRAVEL EXPENSES ON BEHALF OF THE FIRE
DISTRICT SHALL BE REIMBURESED AT IRS RATE IN EFFECT AT TIME OF
TRAVEL.
0) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1 SHALL BE
GOVERNED UNDER (SECTION 176 (11).) NY TOWN LAW RULES FOR THE CARE
AND USE OF ALL FIRE EQUIPMENT, AND SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE RULES
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS NOVEMBER 1ST, 1983, AND AS
AMENDED THERE OF.
P) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1 SETS THE
DATE FOR THE REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS AS THE 2ND MONDAY OF EACH
MONTH AT 7:00 PM, AND A WORK SESSION 2 THURSDAYS BEFORE MONTHLY
MEETING,
Q) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1 REAFFIRMS
AND AUTHORIZES ALL RESOLUTIONS PASSED AND ACTIONS TAKEN IN THE
PREVIOUS YEAR.
R) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1 REAFFIRMS
AND AUTHORIZES ALL FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
S) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1 NAMES THE
FOLLOWING AS STANDING COMMITTEES:
1) SERVICE AWARDS COMMITTEE
2) FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE
3) BUILDING COMMITTEE
4) EQUIPMENT COMMITTEE
5) RECORDS RETENTION AND FOIL COMMITTEE
T) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1 APPOINTS
THE SOUTH WALES VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY TO BE THE PRIMARY
EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCY WITHIN THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT.
U) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1
AUTHORIZES THE SOUTH WALES FIRE COMPANY TO HOLD UP TO FOUR (4)
FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES PER YEAR.
V) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE GAS ALLOWANCE FOR THE CHIEFS BE 40
GALLONS OF FUEL PER MONTH
W) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1
AUTHORIZES THE SECRETARY AND THE TREASURER TO:
1) PREPARE THE TREASURER’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PREVIOUS
YEAR FOR SUBMISSION TO ACCOUNTANT AND APPROVAL BY THE
MARCH MONTHLY MEETING.
2) SUBMIT THE ACCOUNTANTS AUD REPORT FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR
TO THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES BY THE MARCH
MONTHLY MEETING.
3) REVIEW THE SURETY BOND FOR THE TREASURER AT THE ANNUAL
REVIEW WITH INSURANCE AGENT BY THE MARCH MONTHLY MEETING.
4) FILE APPROPIATE INFORMATION WITH THE TOWN CLERK & PUBLISH
THIS INFORMATION TOGETHER WITH THE RESULTS OF THIS MEETING IN
THE DISTRICTS OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER AND DISTRICT WEBSITE.
5) TO ATTACH A COPY OF THE NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING AS
PART OF THESE MINUTES.
South Wales Fire District No.1
Agenda For Annual Meeting – January 1, 2023
Meeting Scheduled for 11 AM
Page 3 of 3
X) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO.1 DOES NOT
SUPPORT ABSENTEE BALLOTS FOR ITS DISTRICT ELECTION PROCESS AND
THE DISTRICT WILL USE PAPER BALLOTS.
Y) BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT NO. 1 STATES
THAT IN ORDER TO HAVE YOUR NAME PUT ON THE DISTRICT ELECTION
BALLOT, A PETITION WITH SIGNATURES OF 25 QUALIFIED VOTERS MUST BE
FILED WITH THE DISTRICT SECRETARY AT LEAST 10 DAYS PRIOR TO THE
ELECTION.
THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS, ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE
SOUTH WALES FIRE DISTRICT, WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CHIEFS FOR THEIR
SERVICE AND SUPPORT OVER THE PAST YEAR AND LOOK FORWARD TO THEIR
CONTINUED SERVICE AND SUPPORT IN THE CURRENT YEAR.
RESPECTIVELY SUBMITTED
Julie Wysocki
SECRETARY S.W.F.D.No.1
Welcome to SWFC
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Member Training Links
OSHA / PESH REQUIRED ANNUAL ONLINE TRAINING COURSES FOR ALL MEMBERS
FEMA REQUIRED ONLINE COURSES FOR ALL MEMBERS
Introduction to Incident Command System
ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction
National Response Framework, An Introduction
SOUTH WALES FIRE COMPANY PERSISTENT COURSES
The Company
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The South Wales Fire Company, founded in 1928, currently provides fire protection and emergency medical services to portions of the Town of Wales and Town of Aurora. With a current active membership of 40, the fire company responds to an average of 200 alarms each year.
The South Wales Fire Company has fully trained Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s), Intermediate EMT’s, and Certified First Responders who are equipped to handle all types of Emergency Medical and Rescue calls. In addition, our EMS response is supplemented with a Rural Metro Paramedic backup.
Adopt A Fire Hydrant
As the snow continues to fall and pile up, fire hydrants are becoming buried, which makes it difficult for firefighters to locate them in an emergency. The South Wales Volunteer Fire Company asks our residents to please try and clear snow from around fire hydrants, and ensure that they are not buried in snow by snowplows or snowblowers. Snow-covered fire hydrants cost valuable time when firefighters must locate and uncover them when responding to a fire call.
Firefighters need plenty of room to maneuver around a hydrant. It takes a wrench as long as two feet to loosen the caps and firefighters generally need a couple feet of clearance all around a hydrant so they have room to work.
Fire departments across the country are asking local citizens to adopt a hydrant near their homes or workplaces and keep it clear of snow and visible to emergency services personnel at all times. The South Wales Volunteer Fire Company urges our residents to do the same. Every second counts when fighting a fire and clearly visible fire hydrants in every neighborhood can save homes and lives. Thank you for your help in keeping the South Wales fire district safe.
South Wales Fire District # 1 Meetings are held at 7:00 pm, 2nd Monday of each month at the South Wales Fire Hall
Sept. 18, 2019 New Tanker #5
2017 Utility Truck #6
Purchased by and dedicate to the residents of the South Wales Fire District
90th Anniversary South Wales Fire Company, Nov. 29, 2018
2019 New Tanker #5
2018 Utility Truck #6
South Wales Fire District Budget FY 2020
SWFC Members Only File System
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Annual Statistics
E.D.I.T.H. – Exit Drills In The Home
If you have a fire tonight, will you get out safely?
You’ll have a better chance of getting out safely if you’ve planned ahead. Develop a fire escape plan and practice it with the whole family. Everyone should know two ways out of each room and know where to meet outside. Make sure everyone understands that getting out is the first priority. And remember, once you’re outside, stay out.
A home escape plan must be created and practiced so that each person knows exactly what to do. It also is important to practice Exit Drills In The Home.
Most residential fires occur between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. Deaths from residential fires occur in greater numbers between midnight and 4 a.m. when most people are asleep. An average of 800 fires strike residential buildings each day in the United States. More than 6,500 persons die each year from fire – more than half of them children and senior citizens. The majority of these deaths are in home fires.
Regardless of the cause of the fire, a home may be filled with smoke. This is a very dangerous situation. Family members may be unable to see very well. The smoke and toxic gases may cause dizziness and disorientation. In the confusion, one can easily become lost or trapped in the home. Family members must understand that their safety depends upon quickly leaving the home. It has been proven that exit drills reduce chance of panic and injury in fires and that trained and informed people have a much better chance to survive fires in their home.
Board of Fire Commisioners
- Paul Rose
- Joseph Argenio
- Jeff Heitman
- Mike McClure
- Rich Trzyna
- Julie Wysocki – Secretary
- Charles Kramer – Treasurer
Fire Company Officers
Chief Marty O’Connor
1st Asst. Chief Jason Breeser
2nd Asst. Chief Gary Wysocki
EMS Captain Shannon Melnyk
EMS Lieutenant Matt Fisher
Truck Room Captain Ed Belter
Truck Room Lieutenant Jeff Heitman
Safety Officer Paul Rose
Fire Police Captain William Reed
Fire Police Lieutenant Charlene Schneckenberger
Truck Captains:
#2 Dave Benedict
#4 Bill Voss
#5 Mike McClure
#6 Kathy Rose
#7 Chris Gowanlock
#8 EMS Captain, Lieutenant
President Charlene Schneckenberger
Vice-President Brenda O’Connor
Secretary Kathy Rose
Treasurer Bill Voss
Sergeant-At-Arms Bill Reed
Board of Directors
Ed Belter
Matt Fisher
Chris Gowanlock
Ed Kibler
Bill Reed
Gary Wysocki
Fire Company Roster
SWFC Active Members |
||||
| Last Name | First Name | Last Name | First Name | |
| Argenio | Joe | McClure | Mike | |
| Belter, Jr | Ed | Melnyk | Shannon | |
| Benedict | David | O’Connor | Brenda | |
| Breeser | Jason | O’Connor | Marty | |
| Butcher | Don | Reed | Bill | |
| Ciapa | Cheryl | Rose | Kathy | |
| Fisher | Matt | Rose | Paul | |
| Gowanlock | Chris | Schneckenberger | Charlene | |
| Hausauer | John | Trzyna | Rich | |
| Heitman | Jeff | Voss | Bill | |
| Heitman | Mike | Wysocki | Gary | |
| Hooper | Doug | Zolet | Brian | |
| Jeffe | Mark | |||
| Kibler | Ed | |||
| Kowalski | Barb | |||
| Kuhnle | Chris | |||
Junior Firefighters |
||||
| Last Name | First Name | |||
| Hanley | Harrison | |||
| Hanley | Hunter | |||
| Whitman | Isiah | |||
Auxiliary Roster
Belter, Teresa
Benedict, Michelle
Benedict, Nick
Andrea Heitman
Joyce, Robin
South Wales Fire Hall
The South Wales Fire Company
6406 Olean Road
South Wales, NY 14139
716-652-6659 (NON-EMERGENCY ONLY)
FOR ALL EMERGENCIES DIAL 911
Dedication to the Community
Not only does the South Wales Volunteer Fire Company provide education and emergency services to the community, it is also dedicated to developing a tight-knit community. Each year, the Fire Company hosts two chicken barbeques, one in May, and one in September. In addition, various other events presented by both the Fire Company and the Auxiliary help to bring together members of the community and the Fire Company. These events continue to enhance the exceptional relationship the Fire Company has achieved with the community. We look forward to seeing you at our next event. Check back often for updated news and details about upcoming events!
Committed To Excellence
The members of the Fire Company constantly strive to improve the quality of their services to the community. Progressive training requirements help meet that goal. Annually, the men and women of the South Wales Fire Company attend over 2000 hours of training, not including time spent responding to emergencies.
Hey Kids!
Learn about ways that we can keep safe and prevent fires.
Click on Sparky or Smokey the Bear below and they will take you to different pages with lots of games and fun stuff to do.
Membership Information
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What if no one answered the Call?
This slogan, used in a national volunteer recruitment, sums it up well.
How Can You Help?
Desire To Serve. Courage To Act.
Firefighting is not for everyone, but Volunteering can be. There is plenty of opportunity to serve the community through the South Wales Volunteer Fire Company and much of it has nothing to do with actual firefighting. Fire and emergency services are one of the most diverse and challenging professions today and everyone can contribute in some capacity – even you. The South Wales Volunteer Fire Company is currently seeking dedicated men and women to join our team.
Get involved! Serve your community, help your neighbor, learn something new, and challenge yourself to make a difference.
Why Volunteer?
Community service, neighbors helping neighbors, and the satisfaction of knowing that you made a difference are all good reasons to volunteer. Most communities rely on the people who live within them to help each other, and South Wales is no exception. Perhaps one of your neighbors is a volunteer with the South Wales Fire Company, already.
Please stop by the fire hall any Thursday evening between 7pm and 9pm to meet our current volunteers, to pick up an application, or to discuss memebership with any of our members. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have, and welcome the opportunity to provide you with additional information about volunteering with the South Wales Fire Company.
Smoke Alarms
Can you afford to spend a few minutes each month to test the smoke alarms in your home? Can you afford not to? Going without the protection of a working smoke alarm is a risk too dangerous to take. In a fire, you’ll need every second to get out safely, and the early warning from a smoke alarm can make the difference between surviving a fire and dying in one. Test your smoke alarms today. You can’t afford not to.
Working Smoke Detectors and Carbon-Monoxide Detectors Save Lives!
Home Heating Safety
A warm, cozy fire or warmth from a space heater can quickly spell danger during the cold winter months of November through March – the time when home fires and home fire-related deaths are more likely to occur. Each year, nearly 600 children ages 14 and under die in residential fires and another 40,000 children are injured.
To help prevent a fire, parents and caregivers need to closely inspect the home and eliminate all potential hazards. During the winter months especially, it’s extremely important that families take the proper precautions to ensure all home heating equipment is in working order and that all household members know how to escape in case of a fire.