The Grahamsville Volunteer Fire Department has instituted a tasteful plan to attract new recruits and, equally important, an incentive for current members to come down for weekly Monday drills and work nights.

At the end of the weekly drills fire engine maintenance checks and end of the month Monthly meetings, the members, and invited guests are invited to a hot French fries and chicken legs or wings evening brunch and drinks while they relax, watch baseball or football on T.V.

Due to F.E.M.A. operating and safety regulations, it has become far more difficult to pass training classes and certification to be admitted as an active fireman including as a fire policeman.

But there is a personal and community pride recognition and camaraderie to be a member of your local volunteer fire department.

This is of course in addition to be on call 24-7, day or night, when that fire alarm or personal beeper goes off to jump out of that warm bed, excuse yourself from your job or your family barbeque, sports event or dinner, to rush down to the firehouse or rush directly to the fire or accident, and get into uniform, and get orders from the chief.

Volunteer fire departments with its dedicated members save their community money and taxes and generally have a faster response time.

And this community pride in service and achievements are exactly the same with our wonderful and dedicated First Aid Squad and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) members.

Firematic weekly work nights have an understated importance. Each fire engine, large and small and pumpers are meticulously mechanically checked. The pumper, oil, gas, equipment and long water hoses are checked so that when the siren goes off and the firehouse doors go up, the engines are ready to roll, and the fireman suits ready to go in minimal time.

Also the engines are taken out for a dry run then washed and the station house hosed and swept clean.

Visitors and interested recruits, men and women, are welcome to visit and pitch in by watching the maintenance procedures. Then join in the eats.

The idea of good food after a firematic evening of working and cleaning is said to be a tradition among some Long Island and New York City Fire Departments. The firemen take turns making dinner in the firehouse. At their turn, the firemen tries to make the best dinner.

On Saturday, September 18th, the 92nd Sullivan County Volunteer Fireman’s Assistants 42nd Parade will display their magnificent engines and parade before an appreciative crowd.

This year the host Village is Grahamsville. Lineup will be at 11 a.m. at the Tri-Valley Central School Parking Lot, and at 1 p.m. the Siren will sound and the Parade will march, and parade through Grahamsville, trough the covered bridge and onto the Parade Grounds.

Hope to see young potential firemen and First Aide visitors help their local fire department and neighborhood First Aid Squads – they will be welcome and trained for full or part time service.

See you at the parade or at work and eats and camaraderie nights.