Evans Center Volunteer Fire Company
P. O. Box 193 — Angola NY 14006
8298 Erie Road Station #1:
716/549-1221 — FAX/549-2290
Gowans Road Station #2:
716/549-6117
ROOKIE ORIENTATION - AUGUST 1998
Some Facts About Your Fire Company:
Our fire company was incorporated in 1933 and the original fire station was on Bennett Road near Rte. 5.
We are a non-profit corporation contracted to the Town of Evans to provide fire, rescue and EMS to what is called the Angola Fire Protection District. We are essentially an independent contractor that must negotiate the terms and costs of our contract with the town every year.
We are not a "Fire District" which is a tax-levying political entity that is governed by a board of commissioners that may or may not be members of the fire company(s).
On the administrative front, our fire company is lead by a Board of Directors and other table officers who carry out the business of the corporation between general meetings.
We are a membership organization where each member has one equal vote. We are governed by a constitution and by-laws of the organization.
Our fire department has a reputation of being innovators in our local community and leaders in such operations as vehicle extrication, initial fire attack, and water rescue.
Our ladies auxiliary is one of the largest, most active, most successful, and by far the most generous ladies auxiliaries in this region.
Chain of Command - Fire/Rescue/EMS Operations:
While the president of the company is equal to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Fire Chief is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the department. In the absence of the Chief, the First and Second Assistant Chiefs respectively have full responsibility for department operations.
The Fire Chiefs appoint a Fire Captain and two station Lieutenants to assist the fire chiefs in the operation of the department, both at incidents and during non-emergencies, and are responsible for the inspection, upkeep and response ready condition of all apparatus and stations.
The Fire Chiefs appoint a Fire Police Captain and three Fire Police Lieutenants to assist the fire chiefs in the safe operation of the department and traffic control at incidents.
An EMS Captain and three EMS Lieutenants are elected by members of the EMS Squad and are responsible for EMS response, patient care, EMS training, and department SOPs regarding infectious control and other safety practices.
Engineers are appointed by the fire chiefs to oversee and carry out scheduled vehicle inspections and maintenance. While their role is an important one, they are not line officers and have no authority on the incident ground.
Do's and Don'ts:
It is everyone's responsibility to participate in scheduled vehicle inspections and ensure that each piece of apparatus is maintained in response-ready condition. These inspection nights provide a great opportunity to learn the location and operation of equipment located on each piece of apparatus.
It is everyone's responsibility to maintain our stations and property in a presentable, professional and safe appearance. We have no cleaning service for our fire stations.
It is everyone's responsibility to remain physically fit, well trained, and aware of fire company operating procedures, the changing needs of our customers, and be in a response-ready condition at all times.
Don't be afraid to ask questions whenever you are uncertain about something.
Do let us know of any special concerns or limitations you may have.
Do maintain the confidentiality of the patient, the incident and all fire company information.
Do show respect to line officers and senior members.
Do offer to help or take on added responsibility when possible.
Do enjoy yourself and lend a smile to a fellow member.