History
The City of Olean Fire Department has been a paid professional department since 1894. Currently there are 38 IAFF Local 1796 Union members consisting of 3 Captains, 4 Lieutenants, and 31 Firefighters.
On August 28, 1968, the Olean Fire Department became affiliated with the International Association of Firefighters. Their first offical meeting was held on October 7, 1968. The following 25 men were the first members of the Local 1796.
Officers
Albert Abdo Jr. - President
Clarence Spiller - Vice President
Anthony Trieskey - Secretary/Treasurer
Larry Young - Sergent at Arms
Members
|
Neil Connelly |
John Melnyk |
|
Wm. Ronolder |
John Gibbons |
|
Jos. Snopkowski |
Richard White |
|
Frank Ensell |
John Dougherty |
|
Donald Doughtery |
John Washington |
|
Frank Williams |
John Snopkowski |
|
Francis Leonard |
Raymond Limerick |
|
William Armstrong |
Herbert Elmore |
|
William "Bud" Fromme |
John Ducey |
|
Frank Marknira |
Robert Cole |
Beginning in 1976, Local 1796 and the Muscular Dystrophy Association teamed up to fight muscular dystrophy. Each year the MDA holds its annual “Lock – up” here in Olean. “Prisoners” (local patrons) have volunteered to be “arrested” and “locked-up” for 1 hour. They are brought in front of a Judge and sentenced. Then their mug shot is taken. In order to bail themselves out, they have to raise money. They are given cellphones and they call family and friends for help. The Local 1796 Firefighters play arresting officers and go to places of business and private homes looking for these prisoners. Paul Brown Dodge and Mastel Ford donate “Police cars” so that we can go around and pick up prisoners.
On September 11, 2001, the United States came under attack. Terrorists used large airplanes and crashed them into buildings. In the days following the attacks, Captain Jim Bennett and Firefighter Jim Theodore went to New York City to aid in the recovery effort. Olean Firefighters then took the streets here in Olean for a “Fill the Boot” campaign, to raise money for their fallen brothers in New York City. Approximately $57,000.00 was raised.
In 2005, Olean Firefighters were at it again. This time it was for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Firefighters again held a “Fill the Boot” campaign and raised $30,000.00 with the help of some St. Bonaventure University students.
To this date, there has only been 1 Line of Duty Death. It happened in 1933.Thomas E. Brown responded with his Company to a fire at 1611 North Union Street. Firefighter Brown went into the structure in which there was a great deal of smoke. He came out of the structure and complained of feeling sick. He returned back to the firehouse where he later collapsed. He was unable to be revived.