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Chautauqua Lake welcomes local fire departments for annual fire safety presentation

Chautauqua Lake welcomes local fire departments for annual fire safety presentation

By Sara Holthouse 4 min read

MAYVILLE -- A lot has changed for members of the North Lake Fire Department in recent years. Teaching fire safety to Chautauqua Lake students isn't one of them.

Members of the merged department as well as the Chautauqua Volunteer Fire Department recently visited Chautauqua Lake Central School to help provide safety education and opportunities for students to learn more about how they can serve the community. Students had the opportunity to explore fire trucks, see firefighting equipment up close, and even try on some of the gear firefighters use when responding to emergencies.

"We, the fire departments that serve and protect the Chautauqua Lake Central School District, are forever grateful for our relationship with the school and for the opportunity to support the safety and education of its students," Burl Swanson with the North Lake Fire Department said. "It's absolutely amazing."

Giving students hands-on experiences such as this helped to make these fire safety lessons memorable, while also giving them the chance to become familiar with the people in the community who may be first to respond in an emergency. Chautauqua Lake officials said that this annual visit is something students look forward to, and it provides an important opportunity to reinforce safety skills and build positive relationships with local first responders.

"We are fortunate to have such outstanding local volunteer fire departments that generously share their time, knowledge, and first-hand experiences with our students," Superintendent Josh Liddell said. "Having these dedicated first responders on our campus is a great opportunity for our students to learn about fire safety, develop relationships with the people who help protect our community, and understand the value of giving back through service. We are grateful for their continued partnership and for the example they set for our students every day."

The emphasis on community connection with the fire department continues for older students as well. On October 19, representatives from the North Lake and Ripley fire departments returned to Chautauqua Lake to meet with high school students and talk about another important aspect of their work: community service.

"One of the most rewarding parts of being an educator is watching our students grow into people who not only belong to a community, but want to give back to it," said Rachel Curtin, CLCS secondary school principal. "Our North Lake first responders modeled what that commitment looks like and gave students an opportunity to imagine themselves serving someday. I tell our students all the time, 'I trust you to save my life someday if I need you.' And I mean that. I have tremendous faith in who they are and who they are becoming. They represent the best of what is yet to come. Giving them the chance to hear directly from volunteers, explore the equipment, and even walk away with an application to serve makes that future feel possible."

Students in grades 10 through 12 met with local firefighters to learn more about what it means to serve as a volunteer fire department member, the responsibilities that come with the role, and opportunities for young people to become involved in their communities. Konrad Kochi, a 2026 CLCS graduate, was present during this visit, and he graduated with 300 community service hours that he received through working with the fire department. He will be taking his state EMT test.

"After hearing about volunteer opportunities, I would consider getting involved with the fire department because you are able to do something for other people, possibly saving lives and impacting their lives by doing something not only for your own good," said senior Peyton Donato. "I look up to the firefighters and EMTs for always giving their time to people in need. Although it's not going to be easy, it will be worth it to help others and serve the community."

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