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Fire department memories

To the editor:

I enjoyed Howard Riley’s accounts of the history of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department. (A tip of the helmet to all of its members on the department’s 130th anniversary!)

As a cub reporter who joined the staff of the Enterprise in 1986, I recall well listening for the voice of the dispatcher on the scanner in the newsroom: “Stand by Saranac Lake fire (or rescue)” followed by the tones and then the specifics of the call. On those rare occasions that the dispatcher’s voice was raised or excited, you knew something big was going on.

When I was not in the newsroom, I carried a small card with me that translated the series of siren blasts to corresponding street names. Nine times out of 10, I misread the Morse Code-like blasts and ended up in the wrong spot.

But one of my favorite memories of the department came circa 1988.

The department was at loggerheads with the state Health Department over the rescue squad being understaffed by EMTs, as I recall. This dragged on for a while, and there were threats that the squad might be decertified. Lots of ink was spilled as I covered the story, much to the displeasure of the chief at the time, Don Duso. The chief would, from time to time, um, let me know of his unhappiness, but I don’t think either of us ever took it personally.

Well, along comes Fire Prevention Week, and on the weekend capping the observance, the department put on a big display at the firehouse for the public, showing off the rigs, equipment, etc. The department rolled out its snorkel truck, and I was assigned to shoot photos of the event.

Easy-peasy. What could go wrong?

Did I mention that the chief was none-too-happy with my coverage? Duso was there, and I am shooting photos, and he invites me into the basket of the snorkel. I hesitate but figure, sure, good photo opp. Why not?

I think I stupidly said something about being terrified of heights — like white-knuckle-scaredy-cat fearful of heights.

At that moment, I was a fly in a spider web, and Duso and I both knew it.

He chuckled and started operating the controls, and up we started to go, higher and higher and higher in the basket — until we were extended the full height of the snorkel, well above the firehouse, and afforded a panoramic view of Saranac Lake on a fall day.

I don’t recall the full extension of the basket — could’ve been 60 feet, but for me it felt more like 600.

I was never so happy to be back on terra firma, and I think I laughed about it later and acknowledged to the chief that he got me good.

I’ve never looked at Fire Prevention Week quite the same since.

Chris Mele

Lords Valley, Pennsylvania

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