Christmas Eve 2012

Last alarm: Past Chief Michael Chiapperini and Firefighter Tomasz Kaczowka

Christmas eve morning in 2012 at approximately 5:30 am West Webster was dispatched for a vehicle fire next to a house at 191 Lake Road.  Within four minutes of the initial dispatch, Pumper 125 was enroute to the scene from our Station 2 on Backus Rd.  Firefighter Joe Hofstetter who responded from home arrived to find a vehicle on fire between two houses and immediately attempted to warn and remove residents from houses in the surrounding the area.  A short time later 125 pulled on location with Past Chief Mike Chiapperini driving and Firefighter Ted Scardino in the officer's seat.  They were followed by Firefighter Tomasz Kaczowka in our EMS response vehicle.  Shortly after arriving on location, responders started taking gunfire from a berm on the opposite side of the road from the fire.  A man who resided at 191 Lake Rd started the fire after murdering his sister in order to lure first responders to the area and ambush them.  As a result of his actions 7 houses were damaged, 5 of which were burned to the ground and our department suffered a great loss that has forever changed us.  The loss of life on that day will forever be remembered, as well as the strength and perseverance shown by Firefighters Hofstetter and Scardino, who were both also shot and injured during the incident.

Photo Gallery of events related to 12/24/12