Evans Center Hosts ATF
National Response Team

TOWN OF EVANS NY - MIDTOWN - FEBRUARY 15, 2005 – The Evans Center Volunteer Fire Company is pleased to announce that it has partnered with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to be the new home and host of the ATF National Response Team’s Arson and Explosives response vehicle.

To investigate explosives incidents and arsons, ATF uses National Response Teams (NRT), International Response Teams (IRT), and Arson Task Forces. These teams consist of ATF special agents, auditors, technicians, laboratory personnel, and canines.

In a collaborative effort between the fire company and this federal agency, the ATF NRT vehicle assigned to the Western New York area will respond from Evans Center’s headquarters fire station. As part of the agreement, ATF will have 24-hour access to the facility and the fire company will be able to relocate the large rescue-style vehicle as needed.

“In this day and age of vulnerability and uncertainty, we’re pleased that we are able to take this next step in protecting our community by hosting the National Response Team of the ATF,” said Evans Center Fire Chief Bruce Green Jr.

In return for hosting the response vehicle, the ATF will provide valuable training and resources to Evans Center’s officers and firefighters. Evans Center will share the training with neighboring fire departments and public safety agencies.

 
ATF supports local investigations of arson and bombing incidents and provides expertise in the areas of post blast examination, and cause and origin determination.

“ATF is proud of our partnership with the fire service nationwide and grateful to the Evans Center Fire Company for hosting our response unit,” said William G. McMahon, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF New York Field Division.  “Their unhesitating offer to assist ATF further demonstrates their commitment to this partnership and their leadership in the emergency services community.”

As an integral part of the Bureau's overall violent crime reduction strategy, the ATF provides vital resources to local communities to investigate explosives incidents and arson-for-profit schemes. This program saves the insurance industry, and ultimately the American public, millions of dollars in fraudulent claims annually.

The Evans Center Volunteer Fire Company is a full-service emergency services provider, serving the Town of Evans located on Lake Erie, 25 miles south of the City of Buffalo, NY. For more information on the fire company, visit their web site at: www.ecvfc.org.

For more information on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), visit their web site at: www.atf.gov.

.