Members of the Falconer Fire Department are pictured earlier this year. Photo courtesy Falconer Fire Department Facebook page

FALCONER – The Falconer Fire Department will hold a boot drive on Saturday, Oct. 25, at the main intersection in the village.

The fundraiser is collecting money to help cover some of the costs of new equipment that will allow for better assistance to be provided and ease the strain caused to volunteer from the job.

The fundraiser will take place between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Falconer Fire Chief Keith Babcock said the department attempts to hold similar drives about twice per year. The drives typically bring in thousands of dollars that can be utilized by the department, stated Babcock. This is crucial to operation as Babcock noted the large amount of costs and workers that contribute to the workings of the department that many community members do not visually witness.

Funding is being gathered to aid the fire department in covering the cost of the new Stryker Power-LOAD system that the village has received. This system was purchased in September and was only able to be covered due to donations and fundraising, along with a one-time contribution of $5,000 from the department’s ladies auxiliary. The Power-LOAD system uses hydraulics to safely lift patients that are on a stretcher in the transport vehicle. This not only means that the patients are more smoothly transferred into the vehicles, but also that there is less strain and risk of injury for the volunteer workers, according to Babcock.

For those that are unable to contribute towards the boot drive, there are still many other ways to provide assistance to the fire department, said Babcock. Babcock noted that while the department is fortunate enough to have a large number of volunteers, more people are always appreciated. There are various duties that must be performed at the fire department. This means that regardless of how much people believe they will be able to contribute, their work will cover important functions in the department. Babcock also noted that the department is continuously accepting financial donations. These donations make many of the operations and upgrades in the fire department possible, according to Babacock.

For more information contact Falconerfiredepartment@gmail.com or call 716-665-1170.