The business and line officers were sworn-in by retiring District 3 Fire Coordinator Murray Haines from the Kill Buck Volunteer Fire Department. (From left, front row): Haines, Dennis Ridout, David Field, Dale Senn, Don McElwain Jr., Bill Sharp. (Back, from left): Dustin Field, Dennis McElwain, Howard Van Rensselaer, David Brown, Don Pitts. Photo courtesy of Robert Beach

RANDOLPH — Members of the Randolph Fire Company recently held their 133rd annual awards banquet to recognize members for their volunteer service to the community. Firemen from all over the area attended the event to say farewell to longtime member John Congdon and District 3 Fire Coordinator Murray Haines as they retire.

Distinguished guests included State Senator Catharine Young (R-Olean); Wendy Brand, community constituent liaison for Assemblyman Joseph Giglio (R,C,I- Gowanda); County Legislator Howard Van Rensselaer, a Randolph firefighter and vice president of the Randolph Fire Company; Town Supervisor Dale Senn, president of the Randolph Fire Company; and District 3 Fire Coordinator Haines from the Kill Buck Volunteer Fire Department. Fire chiefs in attendance represented the area fire departments of Kennedy, Ellington, Falconer, Cherry Creek, Coldspring, East Randolph, Frewsburg, Conewango, Little Valley, Cattaraugus and the Seneca Nation of Indians.

The evening program began by honoring the late Robert Hedrick who served in the Randolph Fire Department and as a Level 3 EMT with the Randolph Rescue Squad many years ago.

Fire Coordinator Haines swore-in the newly elected business and line officers, along with the hose officers and fire police for this coming year. Business and line officers: Dale Senn, president; Howard Van Rensselaer, vice president; Dennis Ridout, financial secretary; Dustin Field, recording secretary; David Field, treasurer. Serving on the board of directors are David Field, David Brown, Dustin Field, Dennis Ridout, Cindy Palmer (not present), Dennis McElwain, William Sharp, Don Pitts, Dale Senn, Thomas Lecceadone, Chief Don McElwain Jr.

Hose No. 1: Captain Jason Brown, 1st Lieutenant Seth Lecceadone, 2nd Lieutenant Tim Dowiasz. Hose No. 2: Captain Dennis McElwain, 1st Lieutenant Aaron Grover, 2nd Lieutenant Andrew Wood. Fire Police: Captain David Field, 1st Lieutenant William Sharp, 2nd Lieutenant Howard Honey.

Fire chiefs: Don McElwain Jr., chief; Brian Pitts, 1st assistant chief; David Brown, 2nd assistant chief; David Senn, 3rd assistant chief.

Dale Senn presented Service Pin Awards to Matt Ring and David Field, both 15 year members; and Don McElwain Jr., a 35 year member. Seth Lecceadone was presented the “Firefighter of the Year” award by Chief McElwain and a proclamation from the State Legislature by Senator Young.

Chief McElwain thanked a number of people in attendance including Senator Young for securing funds for a new set of cutters and airbags from a $10,000 grant the fire department was able to receive. He also thanked David Senn who wrote the FEMA grant for the fire department this year, enabling them to receive close to $7,500 used to purchase three thermal imaging cameras.

According to Sen. Young, she secured $500,000 last year to set up a Southern Tier Law Enforcement Fund that is specifically for bringing back some of the member item money lost. She said there will be more grants available this year that go up to $10,000.

Guests of honor Congdon and Haines were presented with plaques of appreciation by Chief McElwain while Senator Young presented them with a proclamation from the State Legislature. On behalf of Assemblyman Joe Giglio, Wendy Brand brought a letter congratulating the two men on their retirements, as well as all the firemen who received awards that evening.