Published: November 24, 2008 08:51 pm      

NIAGARA FALLS: Fire Department grows by 14

New recruits will fill vacancies and add new positions to increase productivity

Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster stood at the front of the City Council chamber Monday morning, looked at the city’s 14 newest firefighters sitting in the front row and smiled.

“This is a very happy day for us,” the mayor said. “Our pubic safety services are a family and we welcome you to that family.”

Dyster wasn’t the only person happy to see reinforcements arriving to man the city’s fire stations. Fire Chief William MacKay was also pleased because while six of the recruits will fill current vacancies, eight are filling new positions funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“This will bring us closer to compliance with the national standards on minimum staffing (for fire apparatus),” MacKay said. “This will give us two more rigs staffed with four firefighters 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.”

Because firefighters work in two person teams, MacKay says crews will now be able to get firefighting tasks done faster.

“Obviously, it goes without saying, it will improve our effectiveness, efficiency and safety,” the chief said. “It’s not just about adding bodies, it’s about adding bodies to increase productivity.”

The rookie firefighters will now head off to 10 weeks of intense training, lead by Battalion Chief Clifford Mayes. MacKay warned family and friends of the new firefighters that Mayes will have their loved ones working hard.

“(Mayes) is everything to them now,” MacKay said. “He will mold them. He will make them a part of us. This is the beginning of the journey.”

As Dyster and MacKay swore in the recruits, they offered reassuring advice. The mayor reminded recruit Michael Colangelo he had to sign his appointment papers, “on the dotted line.”

“Otherwise, there is no paycheck next week,” MacKay quipped.

Colangelo is a cousin of Battalion Chief Greg Colangelo, who took in the swearing-in ceremony.

“I’m going to keep my eye on him,” Greg said. “I think he’ll do a good job.”

Among the proudest parents in the council chamber were Niagara Falls Police Capt. Salvatore Pino and his wife, Rita. Their son Nick is among the recruits.

“It’s a good day for me,” the captain said. “He’s my son and I’m very proud of him.”

Asked why Nick didn’t follow him into police work, Pino said, “Being either a police officer or a firefighter is an honorable job. I’ve spent 27 years protecting the community, now it’s his turn.”

Nick said he thought about following in his dad’s footsteps, but couldn’t be happier with his choice.

“I’m excited, it’s going to be fun,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working with these other 13 guys. I think we’ll be lifelong friends and they’ll be guys I can trust my life with.”

Nick’s mom is just as proud as dad and isn’t worrying about having two loved ones working in potential dangerous professions.

“I’m so happy they’re serving the community,’ Rita said. “This (police) job has been wonderful for us. I’m hoping (the firefighter’s job) will be the same for my son.”

Former city block club leader Roger Spurback was on hand to see his son Nick sworn-in. Spurback was pleased his son could find a job close to home.

“I didn’t want t him to leave (the area) and he didn’t want to leave,” Roger said. “Know he can stay and serve the city.”

Nick said his enduring memory of firefighters was formed when they responded to a medical emergency involving his grandmother.

“To be able to do that for another family would be such a reward for me,” he said. “I’m excited. I can’t wait to get out there and do it.”

The city’s largest group of firefighter recruits in recent memory was also marked by addition to the fire department via subtraction from the City Clerk’s office. Clerk Carol Antonucci said it will be hard to replace clerk Tim Kennedy.

“We called him Mr. Wizard because he could fix the computers,” Antonucci said. “He was a wonderful worker and he’ll be hard to replace. But this is a wonderful opportunity for him.”

Kennedy, who’s been in the clerk’s office for four years, said he’s been training to get ready for the physical rigors of firefighting.

“I’m leaving behind a great office, but this is a great opportunity,” Kennedy said. “I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”

His mother Jean said despite the danger of the job, she’s not worried and believes Tim has the “right make up” to be a firefighter.

Before the recruits left to celebrate with their friends and loved ones, Dyster had one last word for them.

“There may be a time when you will have to put yourself in harm’s way for the citizens of Niagara Falls,” the mayor said. “We thank you in advance for that.”