Walker rescue equipment A state grant, a few private donations and a gift in honor of a deceased Hamlin man have allowed the Walker Fire Department to purchase an off road rescue unit, an emergency vehicle that is unique to Monroe County. The rescue unit is a six wheel ATV equipped with a stokes basket (device used to carry people) and a fully enclosed trailer with a generator. The back two wheels of the vehicle have been replaced by bulldozer tracks. The vehicle cost $17,500 and has already proven its worth. By the time Walker Fire Chief Charlie Hungerford officially put the vehicle in service, February 7, it had already been used in two rescues. One rescue involved pulling a snowmobile out of the canal in Brockport, the other rescue involved tracking down a lost person in Hamlin. "With this vehicle we will be able to help our residents and assist our neighbors," Hungerford said. Senator George Maziarz was awarded honorary membership into the Walker Fire Department for his help in securing grant money. "What he was able to do means a lot to us," said Hungerford. "It is tough for us to come up with big funds." At a ceremony March 4, Maziarz cut the ribbon along with Hamlin resident Joni Kase, wife of Jim Kase who was killed in a car accident on Brick Schoolhouse Road September 23. Kase, a long-time Kodak employee, was honored by many of his co-workers through a donation to the Walker Fire Department. His name and those of other contributors to the project are printed on the rescue vehicle. Joni, his wife of 27 years, said the gesture was a moving tribute to the type of person he was. "I'm proud that he made such an impact on people that they would want to honor him in this way," she said. |
