Volunteer Fire Service News

Submitted by John Haley

(Hamilton, NY – July 15 through 17, 2011) The Madison County Volunteer Firemen’s Association & Ladies Auxiliary are proudly hosting the 118th Central New York Volunteer Firemen’s Association Convention at the White Eagle Conference Center in Hamilton July 15 through 17.

On Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. and all day Saturday, there will be various vendors. We will also have the author of the book “Teflon Shelly” by Ron Ryan, who will be on hand for a book sale and signing.

The accidental carbon monoxide deaths of her brothers and sisters in 1966 left Shelly Summers an only child who encountered sexual and physical abuse. Three of her own children would populate the rural cemetery east of the flashing yellow light in a little hamlet in Central New York having met horrific deaths, two of whom were burned alive.

Three other children that had a connection with Shelly would meet a fiery demise, and a seventh child would mysteriously drown. Forty-two years of fires would follow Shelly until police, prosecutors and fire investigators of multiple counties and agencies utilized their resources to end “Teflon Shelly’s” reign of terror.

Author Ryan was born, raised and currently resides with his wife of 31 years in the small hamlet of Navarino in southwestern Onondaga County. He became chief of the volunteer fire department at the age of 32 and is currently a fire investigator with the Onondaga County Department of Emergency Management. Ryan is also a code enforcement officer with the town of Onondaga.

He has been an accelerant detection K-9 handler, working with his K-9 partner, Bo. Ron has conducted thousands of fire investigations over his fire-service career, including several arson-homicides; however, he self-proclaims his proudest moments are witnessing the accomplishment of his sons Jeff and Jason.

Some of the things going on Saturday include business meetings, a guest speaker – Madison County’s own Tim Cowan from Canastota, who will do a 1 p.m. presentation on the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation “Courage To Be Safe – So Everybody Goes Home.”

Following Cowan will be the annual memorial service, which is held to honor the members of the volunteer fire service that have passed away during the last year.

Following the memorial service, the annual award ceremonies will be conducted including the “Civilian of the Year” award, which will be awarded to two civilians who pulled eight people from a house fire in Wampsville.

The “Firefighter of the Year” will be awarded to two firefighters who rescued and saved the lives of two boaters who almost died of carbon monoxide poisoning. The “Journalism Award” will be given to a newspaper reporter from Utica for reporting on a recent fatal fire.

There are also four scholarships to graduating seniors for continuing education and possible junior firefighter awards.

On Sunday morning, there will be firefighter foot races on Wings Way Road at Hamilton Airport, as well as junior firefighter pushball.