WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1981, PAGE 7 Bro1in Bylines By Roxanne Reveler Hi there; Why is it the side of the bread to hit the floor first is always the one with the butter on it? AND NOW THE BAD NEWS St. Leo's School...An educational institution, a home away from home, the heart of the Catholic Community of Brooklin; call it what you will, this little school looms very big in the hearts of many in Brooklin and surrounding areas. "Small in size, big in spirit" says it all. This motto applies equally to the students, the parents, and the supporters of this school. They have withstood the pressures to close their cherished school. They have settled for less in ser- vices, luxuries and advantages over the years to keep their school open. Once again these loyal followers are asked to hang in there despite another disappointment. Due to financial restrictions the hoped for portable cannot become a reality. Maybe next year! For this year, it is hoped the arrange- ments to bus the Junior and Senior Kindergarten kiddies to St. Paul's School, though not the perfect arrangement, will be an acceptable one. A few more students, a bigger need and a portable has to be just around the corner. One thing St. Leo's School has never lacked is quality. Educationally, St. Leo's is a credit to the Separate School System. The students are and have been a credit to the system and this community. Hang in there folks, St. Leo's is worth your con- tinued support and perseverance. One day soon you'll chorus: "Big is size - bigger in spirit." MEET OUR PEOPLE Firel Let's hope none of us finds ourselves in the terrifying predicament of uttering that word. How- ever, if the impossible should arise, and let's face it everyone thinks it will never happen to them, you will be in the best of hands. I recently had a long conversation with Fire Chief Ed Crouch and found his remarks to be both fascinating and comforting. Let's go back to the beginning. The Brooklin fire brigade was formed in 1924 and was located in -a white frame building on Roebuck Street, (the street running east/west just north of the present Grass Park), which now houses an antique store. Brook- linites were quite proud of their one motorized vehicle. The fire department was operated strictly on a volunteer basis. Our first fire chief was Percy Stouver, who owned and operated the bake shop just around the corner. Mr. Stouver served in this capacity from1924 until 1940. Taking over at this time was George Vick. One of Chief Vick's greatest achievements was in winning the battle for construction of a new fire hall in 1960. This modern brick building on Vipond Street is still in use today. An added bonus was the acquisition of a 625 gallon per minute pumper. This is our "big red fire truck", and known in the business as Unit One. We had to wait until 1980 to get a 1,500 gallon water truck to compliment number one. When Chief Vick retired in 1966, a local hardware dealer, Ken Greer, became chief. On September 1, 1969, Council hired its first full-time fire chief to co- ordinate their three volunteer fire departments. These three departments were Whitby, Brooklin and Garrard Road Station, now called Thickson Road Station. There was now one chief - Ed Crouch - with three District Chiefs. Ken Greer, now District Chief of Brooklin, served until stricken down by a heart attack in 1971. At this time bis boota were ably filled by Mr. Don Mitchell, our present district chief. In 1977, when Regional Government was formed, it was decided tiat the old Ontario County Works Yard in Myrtle was no longer required. Because of its location on the ninth concession at Garrard Road, it was acquired by Whitby as a perfect spot to accommodate the puêblic with a new fire hall. If your residence is within five miles of a fire station, your insurance ites are drastically reduced. A station here would benefit residents in Columbus, Raglan and Myrtle. The Myrtle Station, like Brooklin, consists of a pumper and a tanker, and is manned strictly by volunteers. The first run area for the Myrtle Station is bet- ween the eighth and tenth concessions, and County 23 and the Oshawa/Whitby border. The first run area for Brooklin Station consists of everything nor- th of the Taunton, Collins Road, combination to the Brawley Road (Con. 8) where the Myrtle Station comes in. The same east west boundaries apply. It must be understood that there are no absolute boundaries in the fire department. They base their limits on who they feel can get to the fire site first. Everyone helps everyone else. Our local boys have gone as far afield as Port Perry, Uxbridge, and Pickering to lend a hand, and tlis has been reciprocated. At the present time, the Whitby Fire Department has 32 full-time fire fighters working out of the main station on Brock South, Whitby, and the Thickson Station. In addition to this there are four dispat- chers. There are 60 volunteers located in the four stations. These volunteers are committed to two training sessions per month. They must be available for emergency responses, and also clean up their equiprnent, etc., after the fire is over. The general maintenance and cleaning of equipment and buildings, as well as household inspection is carried out by the full-time employees. If you report a fire, your alarm goes into the main section in Whitby where a full-time dispatcher sen- ds out a truck frqm the Thickson Station im- mediately. Then the volunteers in the vicinity of the fire are notified through radio alerts they all carry. The volunteers in turn respond to the fire hall, ready to do their job. You have probably noticed, you don't hear the fire sirens as often as you used to. Since volunteers carry their pocket radios, the alarm goes off only on the first Saturday of every month at noon. This enables them to check their alarm systems. If the siren is sounded at any other tine, it is an alert that there is a problem, all man power is required. The volunteers, as well as any off-duty full-time firemen in Brooklin respond. In a large proportion fire such as a church or apartment building, everyone works together. Volunteers and equipment from Brooklin, Myrtle, Thickson and Whitby, along with full-time staff, aerial truck and rescue squad from the main station join forces. They will not be willingly beaten. The Thickson Road and Whitby Main Station have someone on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They also receive after hours hydro calls. They are in constant radio contact with hydro personnel to cover all emergency calls. This has improved the efficiency of hydro and benefited the public. The department as a whole average 550-600 calls per annum. Brooklin station alone averages 50-60 calls a year (a good portion of which I would suspect occur on Hallowe'en night). We have at present, apart from our volunteers, six full-time firemen who were raised in Brooklin. They went to school here, played hockey and BROOKLIN HOME BAKERY & DELICATESSAN 61 BALDWIN ST. BROOKLIN 655-4951 - Baked Goods - Cold Cuts - - Salads - Meat Pies Baked Daily NO ADDITIVES Party Platters & Sandwich Trays To Order COME IN FOR THE SMELL 0F IT & SEE OUR WEEKLY SPECIALSI Whitby Parks & Recreation Department RODEO PARKING LOT MARKET COMING BOOK EARLY - LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE Groups. individuals & organizations book space for garage sale items, crafts, tools, sports equipment, etc. ee parking »e admission Saturday, September 12 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Rain date Sunday, September 13 IROQUOIS PARK COMPLEX - north parking lot Victoria & Henry St. BE SURE TO'GET YOUR RODEO TICKETS TOOI basebail here, grew to maturity here, and joined the fire department. They are Ron Haines, Mike Kehoe, Bob Vesey, Larry Brown, Bob Marshall and Pete Heron. Don Moore, although not raised here, has lived in Brook!in for many years, and our newest resident Mike Creighton has bought a home and will be arriving presently. So now you know. If perhaps you are unfortunate enough to have to make that distressing call, find solice in knowing you are in the best of hands. Years of experience, and a genuine caring make our "Smoke Eaters" the best around. TIP OF THE WEEK It's getting to be that time again when the kids go back to school. If you pack lunches every day as I do you probably have noticed that the sandwiches more often than not come back home with the children. Reason is simple.....BORING..... For a RODEO PARKING LOT The Whitby Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a Rodeo Parking Lot Market at Iroquois Park Complex, Saturday, September 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vendors, sport groups, organizations and individuals are welcome to display their wares. Booth fee is $13. Call 668-7765 to reserve a booth. Spaces are limited. In the event of rain, the sale will be held Sunday, September i à %d L sm% -ul. 13.00 per space (2 parking spaces) Table rental also available Fr, Call 668-7765 Fr %.0 %.,