Last night's wind storm kept volunteers busy on the south side of the town of Penfield. Most of the calls were for trees and power lines downs. Whitney Road became impassible by Brooktree and Baird Road was also impassible south of the railroad overpass due to the same conditions of fallen trees and power lines. Outages were scattered around town, a stop light at Willow Pond and 441 had to be re-secured by the State D.O.T. as the wind blew it down. The Rochester airport reported a 72 MPH wind gust at 8:23 PM.  We'd like to remind the public that when there's a power outage to treat stop lights as a four way stop. We've seen to many unnecessary crashes because drivers simple blew through intersection because the light was not functioning.

Also when coming upon a road block to set up by the fire department please obey the Firefighter and or Fire Police Peace Officer as they are trying to safely help the public and keep traffic moving so you can get to your destination. We understand that sometimes your home is located past the road block. In this case try to get a hold of the Firefighter and or Fire Police Peace Officer and let them know where you are trying to go. They maybe able to help you or give instructions on how to get you to your destination.

On a more humorous note - As 11:00 PM rolled around and the winds where still screaming and traffic had just started to quiet down when an older Buick pulled up to a closed intersection.  The firefighter leaned over to ask the 80 year old woman what a lovely lady like herself was doing out on a night like this...  She replied she was singing Karaoke with her friends as a local restaurant and was trying to make her way home..... Not quite sure how to respond the firefighter waved her on her way.

As the first winter storm of the 2012 season hit the area Penfield Volunteer Firefighters were called out at 8:15 AM to the report of an attached garage on fire in the 2700 block of Penfield Rd.  
Engine 374 from Station 3 which is located just down the road arrived on scene first and reported a working fire.  Firefighters who drove to the scene quickly grabbed hand lines and began knocking the fire back.
Additional apparatus from stations 1 and 2 arrived shortly after setting up a supply line to the hydrant and providing more man power for an aggressive interior attack.  25 degree temperatures with 25 MPH winds hampered firefighters as they fought the blaze.
 The fire was mostly contained to the garage and a 4 seasons room in the rear of the garage.  There was damage to the rooms next to the garage as fire had found its way through the wall and ceiling of the first floor.
Nobody was injured, the fire is still being investigated. 
Volunteer firefighters were out for about 3 and a half hours at the scene plus and addition 2 hours back at the fire station cleaning and  getting the equipment back in service. 
The Penfield Volunteer Ladies Auxiliary braved the cold winter storm and provided hot food and beverages for the firefighters as they returned.

On a side note we'd like to send our gratitude to the homeowner who was standing out front and took the time to alert the firefighters of the hazards located in the garage.  That homeowner showed concern our safety and we greatly appreciate that.

The Penfield Fire Company wrapped up 2011 with 855 emergency calls and  55 activities including drills, parades, and a few other details.  The grand total was 910 total activities for the year which is constant with the last few years: 
1990  497 activities
1991  615 activities
1992  601 activities
1993  622 activities
1994  627 activities
1995  751 activities
1996  741 activities
1997  747 activities
1998  826 activities
1999  910 activities
2000  838 activities
2001  911 activities
2002  921 activities
2003  911 activities
2004  877 activities
2005  846 activities
2006  818 activities
2007  830 activities
2008  886 activities
2009  786 activities
2010  883 activities
2011  910 activities

Again each call is answered by volunteers who leave there jobs and families behind to make a positive difference in someone else's life.
Here's to a safe and happy new year in 2012...

After hours of hard volunteered work about a dozen members showed off there annual display of lights on the ladder truck at the Webster Parade of Lights.  New this year was a device that could sync music to the flashing light display.  For the third straight year in a row Penfield brought home the trophy for the best appearing ladder truck!