Busier, but fairly typical year for Dresden FD

DSC_0059Other than a heavier call volume, the past year has been pretty normal for the Dresden Volunteer Fire Department.

“It’s been busier. We’ve seen a few more car accidents and a few more fires than normal but it’s been a fairly typical year,” said department president, Alan Bascue.

The volunteer department provides fire protection and responds to emergency calls in Dresden and provides automatic mutual aid to Huletts Landing. They also work closely with the Putnam Fire Department and the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company, which provides automatic mutual aid for any structure fire.

A majority of calls the department responds to are automobile accidents on Route 22. Interestingly, members say most of the car accidents on the undulating and curvy road occur when the weather is clear and not during poor weather.

Members have also seen an increase in the number of medical and health-related calls.

The department has not purchased any new equipment in the past year but did get an engine three years ago that members say have served them well.

The company could, however, use a few members.

“We’re short on members like everyone else,” Bascue said. “It’s hard for guys to find the time.”

Like many volunteer organizations, the Dresden Fire Department relies on a combination of public funding and self-generated revenue through fundraising.

The department holds letter drive but its primary fundraising event is its annual Chicken Barbecue, held the first weekend of June. The event has been known to attract as many as 250 people. This year’s event will be held on June 1 and residents of Dresden and other neighboring communities are encouraged to attend.

Members get together a few Tuesdays every month to train and hold a monthly meeting on the third Tuesday of each month. Anyone interested in joining the department or learning more about what they do is encouraged to stop by the firehouse, located on the northbound side of Route 22 just past the road into Clemons.

The department can be reached at 499-2031.