October is Fire Prevention Month. We would like to remind our residents the importance of having functional smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside of each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. CO detectors are required on every level where there is a fuel burning appliance and every sleeping level. Please be sure to check all batteries in your detectors and replaceany smoke or CO detectors that are more than 10 years old. Smoke and CO detectors do save lives– but only if they work properly!! It has been one year since we contracted for the purchase of a new fire engine to replace our 2003 American Lafrance Rescue Pumper. The new truck is in production and should be delivered in December. It will be a “twin” vehicle to our 2018 Rosenbauer Engine. Having apparatus with comparable designs will reduce the training period for our members as they will drive and operate exactly the same. In recent weeks, we have hosted drills with eight fire companies from Cheektowaga, Depew and Hamburg, focusing on vehicle extrication and fires. Several buses were donated by the owner of 2060 Auto Parts, Mike Serwacki, who allowed us use of his property for the drills. Collaboration and training with other departments better prepares us for any mass disasters. Recent drills provided an excellent opportunity to practice with our new extrication equipment, recently purchased through a grant provided by Assemblywoman Monica Wallace. To view more pictures of our drills, please check or join the Sloan Active Hose Company #1 Facebook page.