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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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Niagara fire fighters receive unit citation

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrew Caya
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  Niagara base fire fighters were recognized with an award during the 122nd annual City of Buffalo Fire Department's Beneficiary Association Ball September 28, for their actions during a request for assistance in July of last year.

The City of Buffalo awarded the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station Fire Department with the Buffalo Fire Commissioner's Unit Citation for their actions in assisting civilian fire departments to extinguish an industrial fire on Chandler St. in the city of Buffalo, N.Y. July 13, 2011.

Niagara Falls ARS Fire Chief Edward McDonald said that the base firefighters supplied their foam truck to assist with extinguishing the fire. These base fire fighters pumped foam into the Buffalo fire department's elevated platform and dispersed the foam out of a base vehicle.

Despite never working with the City of Buffalo Fire Department, the cohesion between the units "was fluid," said McDonald. "...the guys here (base fire fighters) were able to hook right into Buffalo Fire Department vehicles to finish the operation successfully.  I'm sure they were very happy we were able to come out to give them a hand," said McDonald.

Assistant Fire Chief Aaron McLane praised the Niagara fire fighters for their performance.

"We have a lot of training requirements that we have to meet," said McLane. "It was nice to see them (base fire fighters) go down there and perform in a very professional manner and melded right into the Buffalo response."

In order to assist Buffalo with this fire, the Niagara Falls ARS Fire Department had to go beyond their typical scope of assisting the local community.

McLane stated that in order to assist with putting out the fire, the Niagara firemen utilized the Defense Support of Civil Authorities system which is the process by which United States military assets and personnel can be used to assist in missions normally carried out by civil authorities.

"It's a good thing to respond to Buffalo to help our brothers and sisters out," said McDonald.

Although receiving an award for their actions is the furthest thing from the minds of responding emergency personnel, recognition from peers is appreciated.

"It's always nice to be recognized when you go and work with other departments," said McLane about earning the award.  "Especially a department like Buffalo - that we don't have a lot of interaction with because of the distance. You always help each other out, always there for each other regardless of what the department is or what the geographic location is," said McLane. "I'm sure if we need help from them, they will come this way as well."