Evans Center's O'Hare
is 'Top Fire Cop'
in Erie County

MidTown – Town of Evans NY – March 6, 2004 --- Based on a nomination letter from Chief Bruce Green, Evans Center's Vince O'Hare was awarded 'Fire Police Responder of the Year' by the Erie County Volunteer Fire Police Association.

The award was presented at the association's annual installation dinner hosted by Evans Center at their John S. Ginnitti Memorial Assembly Hall. Over 100 Fire Police Officials from around the county were in attendance.

In the nomination, Green noted Vince's history of dedication to the fire service and the community since joining in 1969. He has held the rank of Fire Police Captain for several years and currently serves in that capacity.

"Providing fire police services: traffic management, crowd control; is one of the most frequent jobs we do - and also one of the most dangerous," Green stated. "Vinny is always watching our backs - always keeping us safe out on the highway or at the incident scene."

O'Hare was instrumental in securing funding for safety equipment for the fire company in the past two years.

Under his leadership, 23 Evans Center firefighters became certified Fire Police Peace Officers, successfully completing state standardized training in February. Evans Center now boasts of 60% of its membership as certified Fire Police.

O'Hare almost missed out on receiving his award though, as the dinner was interrupted by a response to a serious auto accident just a few miles from the fire station. Incident commanders relieved O'Hare of his fire police post so he could return to the dinner, unaware of the award.

Vince O'Hare shows off his award with congratulations
from Evans Center Chief Bruce Green Jr.