Rush Fire Department

HOUSE ONE 1971 Rush-Mendon Road - 7,000 Sq. ft. 5 Bay Station w/ Large & small meeting rooms, Offices for the Chiefs, Social Officers, Commissioners/Disaster Command post room, Large Kitchen, Lounge, Radio room, workout room, Generator (45KW) and 3 storage rooms, EMS storage room, showers & bathrooms. Built in 1971 - remodeled in 1998. Fully sprinklered & alarmed building.

HOUSE TWO - #2 Rush-West Rush Rd - 2 bay station with small office, Bathroom, 10 KW emergency generator. Fully sprinklered & alarmed building.

The Rush Fire District, located 12 miles south of the City of Rochester, covers 38 square miles including 7 miles of I-390 and the state correction facilities at Oatka and Industry. It is bordered by the Towns of Henrietta on the north, Mendon on the East, Livingston Co. on the south and the Genesee river on the west. The district is the entire Town of Rush, New York.

Dispatch: When phones were first place in town all you had to do is pick it up and tell the operator you had a fire. The operator located in West Henrietta would set off the siren and the fire fighter would pick up their phone and get the information. When dial came in we had a seven digit number that rang 5 phones in homes and businesses in town - the person who answered would set off the siren and wait for a firefighter to pick up the phone at the fire station and give them the information. Then the City of Rochester set up a county wide number for all fires in the county and had a system of tones that would set off the siren and open up the home monitors that were in the firefighters homes, they were the size of a bread box. We then got smaller radios and pagers as time went on. Today we are dispatched by Monroe County 911 in Rochester which is equipped with both ANI and ALI data bases to get correct locations from callers on hard wire phones. The pagers are much smaller now and we also have some digital text paging equipment . The fire stations are equipped with MDT (Mobile Data Terminals) and printers that give us the locations and information about the emergency call we are being dispatched to.

Insurance Rating of the Department (ISO) : Our department is completely volunteer with 48 members. We have an ISO rating of 4 in the hydrant area (3/4 of the town). We have a 9 ISO rating in the dry area. In the non-hydrant area we have drafting sites and automatic mutual assistance with pumper/tankers from our neighbors for structure fires and type of fires unknown. We operate from two locations in the town,

EMS Calls: 63% of the calls for service are for EMS and Rescue. We operate a NYS DOH Certified Ambulance Service with 48% of the membership having NYSDOH F/R-D, EMT-D or CC certification. 95% of the members are US DOT First Responder and CPR-Defribrillator certified. We have six defribrillators in service on equipment, including two in "first responder" EMS officers private vehicles. Advance life-support is supplied by Henrietta Vol. Ambulance, Honeoye-Falls-Mendon Ambulance or commercial services from Rochester. ALS is automatically dispatched by 911 based on the call priority. In 2006 we did a total of 375 calls of which 234 were ambulance calls. We responded to 55 vehicle crashes. A basic life support equipped "first responder" is on scene of 90% of the EMS calls within 4 minutes of dispatch.

History of the Rush Fire Department:

December 4th, 1920 the fire department began. A model "T" Ford chemical fire truck was purchased and housed for $60.00 per year in John Behnks barn. In 1926 the Town of Rush gave $250 towards the FD operation. In July 1930 the Fire Department became incorporated. In 1930 a model "A" Ford fire truck was bought. The fire house was part of the new town hall built for $10,000 in 1936. In 1937 the present carnival field was purchased for $550.00. In 1957 a two-bay garage was built on the that site by the fire department for the rescue truck and ambulance. It was used until 1971 when the Rush Fire District built the present station one at 1971 Rush-Mendon Road on land donated by the fire department. In 1998 a $400,000 addition was added to this station and the 45KW emergency generator was converted to natural gas. In 1964 the fire district constructed two-bay fire station at West Rush and East River roads. In 2000 this building was refurbished and a 10 KW emergency generator added. Both stations are fully alarmed and sprinkler protected.

APPARATUS HISTORY: (Pumpers & Tankers)

In 1920 Rush Truck #1 was a Ford model "T" Chemical type apparatus. It had two 40 gal. tanks that worked like soda/acid fire extinguishers.

Rush Truck #2 was a Model "A" Ford with a 300 GPM pump & 200 gal. of water.

Truck #3 was built by Rush members from a wrecked 1931 Ford coal truck donated by Rush Oil Co. A 400 GPM front mounted pump and water tank was installed by RFD members.

In 1947 a Federal - Buffalo 500 GPM pumper with 400 gal. of water was put in service. We still have that truck today and use it in parades and antique musters.

In 1953 a GMC "Young" high-pressure (1,000 PSI van-pelt pump) pumper/tanker (1,000 gal. of water) was bought. Rush members installed a 500 GPM front mounted pump for drafting and moving more water.

1964 GMC 4x4 pickup was built by RFD members to be a grass fire truck and was used until 2004. It was also used to pull the 14' rescue boat and ATV.

Two Ford C-950 Cab-over "American Fire Apparatus" pumpers were put in service. One in 1964 and the second in 1969. They were 750 GPM pumpers (triple stage pumps) w/ 750 gal. booster tanks.

In 1976 a Ford C-8000 "Sutphen" Pumper/tanker was purchased. This had a 750 GPM single stage "Hale" pump with 1000 gal. of water. It was our first diesel automatic unit. It was Lime-Yellow in color when delivered but painted red in 1988 when it was rebuilt by RD Murray in Buffalo. this pumper was purchased from the Rush Fire District by the Rush Fire Department and donated to the Birdsall FD in Allegany Co. in October of 2004.

In 1992 a custom "Pierce-Dash" pumper/tanker was purchased to replace the 1969 Ford. This had a 1250 GPM "waterous" single stage pump with 1000 gal. of water. this unit also carries the portable pond.

In 1995 a Freightliner-Pierce foam pumper was placed in service to replace the 1964 Ford. It has a 1250 GPM single stage "waterous" pump with 750 Gal. of water in a poly-type tank. It has a 250 GPM foam system for both class A & B foam with 25 gal. foam tanks for each.

We also operate a 1967 International (Ward-LaFrance) mini-pumper (750 GPM with 400 gal. of water) which is owned by the State of New York and housed at West Rush.

In March we took delivery of a 2004 HME-Smeal foam pumper/tanker, 1500 GPM (Waterous single stage pump), 1000 gal. of water (poly-tank) 1000 GPM "Hale" foam system w/ 40 gal. foam tank. Hydo-ladder rack, roll up doors and a 10KW built in generator.

In September of 2004 we put in service a 2004 Ford F-350 4x4 Brush/Utility (Custom Built by RFD Members) 150 gal. water w/ Class A foam - 2500 watt inverter, 2 - 500 Watt Tele-lights front/rear mounted winch, slide out equipment tray. (Used to tow 14' rescue boat and ATV on a trailer)

Rush Fire Department Rescue and Ambulance:

The Ambulances: In 1939 the FD started the first ambulance service south of the city in Monroe County with a 1939 Chevrolet suburban that cost $ 790.00. In 1980, the Rush FD ambulance was the first fire department operated ambulance in Monroe County to be NYS certified. 20 years later ALL ambulances had to be NYS certified! Rush had one of the first radios in the ambulance that could contact the emergency rooms of area hospitals while in route with a patient. Since 1939 the fire department has purchased five more ambulances with money from fund drives, memorials and carnival profits. We had a 1951 Chevrolet, 1963 Pontiac "Superior", 1970 Pontiac "Hi-top Superior" and a 1979 Ford Mini-Modular type ambulance. The 1991 Ford "Road Rescue" ($70,000) Type III was replace in 2004 at a cost of $ 102,000. On February 17, 2004 we put in service a 2004 Ford F-350 165" WB - Type I "Lifeline" ambulance. The used 1991 Ford was sold to the City of Celaya in Mexico and will use it as an ambulance.

We are one of the last FREE ambulance service with completely VOLUNTEER staffing in Monroe County. We cover 99.5% of our requests for service. That other .5% we use mutual aid or commercial services. 90% of our advance life support is provided by Henrietta Volunteer Ambulance and there is a fee. There are no FREE advance life support (ALS) services.

"Rescue One" In 1957 Rush put in service the first heavy rescue unit in Monroe County (Radio call letters were "R-1"). It was a 1957 Ford F350 with a "Reading Body". It carried a 10 ton porto-power, 20 ton jack, heavy duty cutting torch, metal cutting saw, generator w/ flood lights, numerous tools, portable pump & hose, small ladder and first aid equipment. For several years this unit was "first in" for serious accidents on the NYS thruway and was called mutual aid to area towns quite frequently. It won numerous "Best Rescue" at parades for many years.

In 1974 a larger Ford-Welch (C950) 14' steel body rescue truck was purchased for $25,000. All the above equipment was put on plus: Front mounted 8,000 Lb electric winch, 10KW built in generator with 6-500 watt flood lights, electric cord on reels, supply of air bottles, 4 - air packs, more ladders, foam equipment, tarps & salvage equipment and the first electric "Jaws of Life" in Monroe county. We used the truck for 17 years. In 1991 this rescue was sold to Ovid Fire Department for $ 7,500 who used it for another 10 years. This truck also won many awards at local parades.

In 1991 a $200,000 custom "Pierce Lance" rescue truck was placed in service. This truck has all of the above equipment plus compressed air system w/ 150 foot of air line, 120 ton air bag lifting system, full set of extrication equipment, First aid equipment w/ 6 backboards - trauma bag - AED "stokes" basket, water rescue equipment (suits-ropes-vests), high lift jacks, rescue-Q-jack stablizing system, 25KW generator with 250 foot of cord on a reel, air bottle filling cascade system w/ 15 spare air tanks, portable generator, 350 GPM portable pump, front mounted winch and signs & cones to shut down the highway if needed. The unit is over 12 years old and still wins "Best Rescue" at many parades!

The Rush Fire District:

Formed in 1927, with a budget then of $1,300, this board consists of five town residents, elected by the registered voters (one each December for 5-year terms), to serve as fire commissioners. It is a volunteer position. Mandated by law, these commissioners oversee the tax money collected for fire services purposes by the town of Rush. The present rate is $1.13 per 1,000 of assessed valuation ($100,000 home pays $113.00 per year). The budget for 2006 is approx. $309,000. This included funds into an apparatus replacement reserve account and a building/maintenance reserve account.

New York State Law - the Board of fire commissioners set policy for the fire department and ambulance service that operate in the town of Rush. The district provides the larger trucks, buildings, insurance, heat, lights and fuel, some training funds and most of the fire and rescue equipment. They also review and approve all operational procedures and SOP's that the firefighters and officers use.

Open public meetings are held each month the third Tuesday at 7 pm at the main fire station. The present Chairman of the Board is Robert J. Faugh - 533-1892

The Rush Fire Department and Ambulance Operation:

Who provides the service? In the Town of Rush the Rush Fire Department, Inc. provides the personnel to operate the ambulance, fire and rescue equipment. All the officers and members are volunteers - not one our members are paid! The fire department also provides fire prevention activities and for over 68 years have sponsored a cub scout pack, boy scout troop and fire-matic explorer post for the youth of Rush. Since 1960 the department has provided the "Al Mack" memorial scout building for the troop 134 activities. In 2003 we took on the sponsorship of a girl scouting program - "Daisy Troop 710" is our troop. The FD has an annual fund drive, tractor pull and carnival to raise fund for the FIRE DEPARTMENT operation. All the fund drive money goes toward new and replacement equipment, training, seminars and replacement funds for an ambulance, rescue truck and four wheel drive brush unit. 90% of the ambulance operation is funded by the Fire Department NOT THE FIRE DISTRICT TAXPAYERS.

Water Rescue Team:

Rush is part of the fifth battalion Water Rescue Team which is made up of Rush, Honeoye Falls, Scottsville, Henrietta and West Brighton FDs. We have a boat and related water rescue equipment including $6,000 worth of ice rescue suits. It is an optional squad of firefighters who train every month for those type situations involving water rescue. In 2004 4 Rush FD members of this team and the participating FDs received Monroe Counties Highest "Lifesaving Award" for the year for a rescue at the Rush dam in May 2004. In 2005 these four members received the FASNY (Firemens Asso. of the State of NY) highest life-saving award for New York State.

The Rush FD Ladies Auxiliary: (see page)

Formed in 1948, these ladies assist the firefighters at emergency scenes and also provide other services to the community. (Children's Christmas party, Easter egg hunt, Carnival Kiddie Parade and election day dinner) They run the food building at the carnival and tractor pull. They sponsor an annual "Betty Wilkins" memorial college scholarship. They have donated thousands of dollars toward new fire, rescue truck and ambulance equipment and the up grades made at the carnival field. In 2003 they purchased 3 defribrillators at a cost of $6,000. A new building on the carnival field was completed in 1998 and cost over $ 40,000. ($ 4,000 a year from carnival profit for 9 years and $ 4,000 from the ladies paid for the building).

Rush Explorer Post 634: (see post page)

The Rush FD sponsors a fire/rescue & EMS explorer post. Boys and girls age 14 thru 21 can join. These youth are trained in fire, rescue and first aid (CPR) and drill with the active firefighters. They ride the equipment when it responds in the non-emergency mode (no lights or siren). They have meeting and drills and also fun activities during the year. The Advisor is Royer Pfersick (533-9123). The Rush FD has sponsored this post since 1976.

Fire Prevention: (see fire prevention page)

A very active fire prevention program is provided by the fire prevention committee. Working with the Leary School and the Rush Public Library, the results have been no child related fires or false alarms in over 25 years! $200 is awarded annually to the 8 fire prevention poster winners in the fourth grade. An annual essay contest is also conducted with three cash prizes (total $150.00) and a plaque for "First Place". A "stories & sirens" program is put on for the younger residents each May with over 100 children and parents attending. Many other programs are conducted during the school year.

Line of Duty Deaths: (see memorial page)

Two Rush firefighters have given their lives in the service of others as volunteer firefighter for the Rush Fire Department.

Asst. Chief Albert Mack was electrocuted on December 29, 1959 in front of the Rush Methodist Church during an ice storm on a wires down call.

Fire Police Officer and Town of Rush Judge Oscar Dell died from a heart attack on January 7, 1988 while assisting at a working house fire on Pinnacle Road.

Past Chiefs Officers:

John Behnk Sr.       1920-1927
Frank Sherman      1927-1931
Edwin Behnk          1931-1937
Vincent Behnk        1937-1944
Clarence Futter      1944-1946
James Leary          1946-1947
Vincent Behnk        1947-1958
Leslie Faugh           1958-1968
Alvin Sweet             1968-1974*
Anthony Rossi        1974-1976
Robert Faugh         1976-1981*
Richard Wheeler    1981-1985*
Ronald Faugh         1985-1989*
Paul Sheppard       1989-1991
Mike Terzo              1991-2000*
Dale Sweet             2000-                 * denotes still active members