On Monday, December 24, 2012 the entire community was stunned when four brother firefighters from the West Webster Fire Department were ambushed while responding to a structure fire. Firefighters Michael Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka paid the ultimate sacrifice that morning while Firefighters Joseph Hofstetter and Ted Scardino lay wounded in the street awaiting help. Numerous homes were lost that morning as firefighters stood by helplessly waiting for the fire scene to be secured by Law Enforcement personnel.
As is tradition in the fire service, whenever one of our own looses their life or is injured we come to the aid of that department in a moment’s notice to assist in any way possible. Within hours firefighters and apparatus from the Gates Fire District along with numerous other fire departments from across the county were standing by in the West Webster fire station assisting our brothers with handling their daily call volumes and consoling one and other. There is no stronger brotherhood in this county than that of the firefighting community. Over the next seven day period members and resources from this department helped the community in West Webster as they coped with such a tragedy.
On Tuesday, January 29th our fire department worked in conjunction with Quaker Steak and Lube to conduct a fund raiser for the West Webster Fire Department. A chicken wing eating contest was held entitled “Cuffs and Hoses” where Police and Firefighters from across the region squared off eating chicken wings. The winners for the evening were from the New York State Police, congratulation to all participants for coming out and supporting such a worthwhile cause.
