This movie is of Day 2 events.

This past weekend three of our explorers, Hannah Deserto, Ron Cottorone, and Cullen Hayes, attended the Smoke, Flames and Courage Antique Muster and Firefighter Appreciation Day at the Port of Rochester.  Saturday’s events started with an opening ceremony at 11, followed by an 1800’s reenactment at noon. Cullen Hayes participated in the demonstration of various different antique fire apparatus. Later that day there was an accident simulation, showing the reality of what happens when people make the dangerous decision to drink and drive.

Sunday consisted of four explorer competitions. The first of which was called “Midnight Alarm”, the second was a hose efficiency race, and the third was a “Bucket Brigade” all of which Hamlin was teamed with North Greece Explorers, and placed third in the first three events. The last event was a hose cart race; Hamlin was again teamed with North Greece, however this time we placed first! After the competitions, the explorers, John Deserto, Rick Woods, and Tony Deserto went to eat at Cheeburger Cheeburger while watching the rescue craft boat parade.

Also, a big congratulation to Ron Cottorone who took on a two-pound burger, and finishing it! 

Click on the pictures or the title to view the whole article.

Story by Hannah Deserto

Photos by John Deserto

On Monday May 11, the Brockport Fire Department invited the Hamlin Fire Department, along with Kendall and Holley, Explorers to a live burn training drill. The drill consisted of four stations that the four departments rotated. A landowner had donated a barn that had already collapsed for the live burn. The Hamlin Explorers started on a line with an Task Force Tip automatic nozzle and got to spend time learning it’s operation and practiced advancing lines. They next station was at the tanker/port-a-pond/fill site. The Explorers got some basic information on drafting operations and pump operations. The next station was on a Blitzfire nozzle where they again had time to learn its operation and could compare it to the TFT automatic nozzle. The last station was the smooth bore nozzle and the comparisons to the other nozzles were discussed. At this time Brockport command ordered the barn to be extinguished and the Hamlin Explorers got plenty of practice advancing a handline around and through the debris of the barn.

A great deal of thanks goes to the Brockport Fire Department for opening up this unique training experience to the Hamlin Explorers. They learned a great deal about firefighting equipment, methods and teamwork. The final teamwork effort was pushing the Hamlin FD van out of the homeowners front yard. They did great after I got it stuck.

Story and photo’s by John Deserto
 

Members of the Hamlin Fire Department’s Explorer post participated with the firefighters at the annual ice water rescue drill. Explorer Slossar was an “old hand” and showed the “rookie”, Explorer Deserto, the ropes. They donned the mustang suits, jumped into the water to get used to the feel and then participated in several rescue stations.

One of the objectives of the Explorer program is to expose them too the equipment and techniques that firefighters use. This drill allowed them to experience complex rescue techniques that are seldom used.

On Monday July 14 some of the Hamlin Fire Department’s Explorer Post drilled on their hydrant skills. This was review for some and new information for others. Drill began at the fire house with a review of the S.O.G’s, equipment and the three “most common” hook-ups used. Then it was out to the hydrant with engine 242 and everyone had a chance to demonstrate their understanding by doing at least one hydrant. All in all a good drill.

Story and photo's by John Deserto

Hamlin Explorers had a full evening Monday. Drill started at 7PM when they piled into the fire department van and delivered a gift basket of gardening supplies to department treasurer and EMT Karen Sabourin. Karen worked tirelessly to secure donations for the spaghetti dinner fundraiser that the post held in March and the basket was a small thank you for her. Then it was back to the fire house for work. The next order of business was cleaning engine 243 in preparation for the Spencerport Fire Parade on Thursday Night. The more experienced members showed some of the newer members what was expected. Yes, clean the wheel wells. Yes, clean the mud flaps. Yes, you have to really scrub them on your hands and knees. Before you ask again...yes, you need to clean that. Once the engine was washed and dried it was off to the back field with the tanker, 246, and the jeep, 247, to practice water drafting operations and advancing an attack line. In addition to the training the new pump on 247 got a workout and the pump on 246 was also exercised. There are no pictures of this part of the drill, explorers, water and cameras don't mix well. Story and photos by John Deserto

The Explorer Program is run through the Boy Scouts of America. The Hamlin Fire Department currently hosts Fire Explorer post #729. The Explorer Program helps youth give back in their community while learning about the profession, specific tools and techniques used by firefighters and the protective gear worm by firefighters. Explorers work side-by-side with local firefighters around the firehouse, during drill and on actual fire calls in a supervised setting. Explorers assist the firefighters in virtually all aspects of the career on and off a fire scene. Explorers learn to put on and change Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA’s), how to use the different types of fire extinguishers, basic search and rescue techniques, and much, much more. Along with participating in firefighter training along side the firefighter, explorers hold their own meetings and drills every second and forth Monday of the month at the Hamlin Fire Department at 7pm. Exploring is a great way to develop qualities and gain experience that will be helpful in nearly every field of endeavor. Did You Know…? •Explorers are provided with protective gear, including a helmet and turnouts. •Explorers march as color guards in front of the fire department, in most of the parades. •In the parade season of 2007, the explorers won best looking/marching explorer post in every parade they marched in. •Funds raised in fund-raisers, like this, are used for uniforms, badges and special fire related outings. •The Explorer Post currently has about the same number of females as it does males. •Explorer Post #729 is always welcoming new members. Sound interesting? If you are 14 years of age, or older, have finished the 8th grade, and maintain good academic standing, interested in making new friends and learning about the fire service, and want to be the newest member. YOU CAN JOIN! Application fee is about $10.

On Friday, March 21 the Hamlin Fire Department's Explorer Post #729 hosted a spaghetti dinner to raise money for the post. Over $130 was raised, plenty of very good food was eaten and everyone had an enjoyable time. The Post would like to thank Steve Mitchell and Karen Sabourin for their help.

The Hamlin Fire Explorer Post has drills the second and fourth Monday's of every month, 7PM at the Hamlin firehouse. This past week, long time explorers Jessica Breeze and Kelly Slossar showed the newest explorer, Hannah Deserto how to use a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Once they had put Hannah through her paces they decided to do some work. Everyone had a fun evening and even had time for a Charlie's Angel shot. The Fire Explorer Program is run through the Boy Scouts of America. Explorers learn the basics of the profession, tools, techniques and standards of firefighters. As their experience increases Explorers begin to ride the trucks to fire calls and support the firefighters in a very supervised setting. Any resident of the Hamlin Fire District in 9th -12th grade is eligible, uniforms and protective gear is provided by the fire district. The program is a great way to experience the privilege of serving your community in a very meaningful way. Contact Firefighter e-mail John Deserto at mandurr@earthlink.net for more information about joining the program.

Hamlin Fire Department Explorer, Kelly Slosser, is a very determined young lady. Three years ago she read an article about a firefighter camp for girls in the state of Washington. Hundreds of girls from all over the United States apply every year, only twenty-four are chosen, but Kelly was determined to attend. She saved the article for three years until she was old enough to apply, even keeping track of it when her family moved into a new home. She was accepted on her first application attempt. Kelly spent seven days in late July in North Bend, Washington with young ladies from nine other states and the country of Sweden going through intense training on firefighting skills. Besides live fire training and search and rescue drills, Kelly learned how to rappel off buildings, climbed a 105-foot aerial ladder and many more exercises. All the campers also took a day trip to Seattle to ride on a fireboat and Tacoma where they toured fire station number 8. Kelly returned with a smile, many pictures, new friends and a greater determination to continue her path to becoming a firefighter.