Austin Fire Department looks ahead

Members of the Austin Volunteer Fire Department and guests heard an emotional presentation from Austin native Dana Stevens who outlined how the fire department has helped him when he needed it, but most importantly how the people involved with Austin Fire Department have become a part of his life.

Austin Volunteer Fire Department (AVFD) paid tribute to its past and embraced its future during the organization's annual corporation dinner, held at the firehall.

Looking forward, AVFD welcomed the delivery of a new Bobcat UTV. Known now as Patrol 44-14, the utility vehicle allows volunteers to reach remote locations. It will be used for land rescues, wildfires, as well as nonemergency duties, including snow-clearing.

Meanwhile, Fire Chief Darren VanWhy passed out the blueprint of the new fire truck that AVFD will acquire in July.

AVFD officers paid tribute to former chiefs Duane Dow and Jerry Hunsinger, as well as past president Dick Logue.

Highlight of the evening was an emotional presentation from former AVFD member Dana Stevens.

Recalling how the fire department was there when he needed help, Stevens said he felt an obligation to give back. So, for 20 years he volunteered for the departments in Austin and Coudersport.

"But now, here I am some 30 years later, diagnosed with cancer," Stevens said. "So I am back on the other side of needing help and, in December, AVFD put on a simple but much appreciated spaghetti dinner for me."

"Austin is more than a department to me, it's more like a family," he continued. "Thank you for picking me up when I fell, for yelling when I did wrong, for the help in getting me to a hospital, for the spaghetti dinner, but most importantly for being a part of my life."

Certificates of appreciation were presented to current members. Chase Cooney also displayed badges that were worn by Austin's first fire chief, Paul Costa, in 1885.

Officials from the county commissioners, emergency management and coroner's offices attended as special guests. The night ended with gifts being handed out to members by AVFD President Louis VanWhy.