Big Tree VFC

10/09/2026

🎃👻 2ND ANNUAL TRUNK OR TREAT! 👻🎃

Get ready for a night of Halloween fun, costumes, candy, and awesome decorated vehicles!

Friday, October 30th
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

🌧️☀️ RAIN OR SHINE! ☀️🌧️

🌭 FOOD SPECIAL! 🌭
Enjoy a hot dog, chips & a pop for just $5!

WANT TO PARTICIPATE WITH YOUR VEHICLE?

📢 ONLY 75 SPOTS AVAILABLE! 📢

So reserve yours early! To reserve a spot and decorate your vehicle for the Trunk or Treat,
please call:

📞 716-512-4342

🏆🎃 TRUNK DECORATING CONTEST! 🎃🏆

Think your trunk has what it takes to be the best? Get creative and show off your Halloween spirit!

🥇 1st Place Prize
🥈 2nd Place Prize
🥉 3rd Place Prize

Prizes will be awarded to the top three decorated trunks! Trunk or Treaters will vote on their favorite

IMPORTANT FOR PARTICIPANTS:
Vehicle set up begins at 5 pm. If you are participating with your vehicle, you must provide your own candy to hand out to the trick-or-treaters.

🎃 Decorate your vehicle - begins at 5 pm
🍬 Bring your own candy to hand out
⛺ Bring a pop-up tent if needed - event is outside
🏆 Compete for prizes
🌭 Grab some food
👻 Have some Halloween fun
❤️ Bring the whole family!

We can’t wait to see everyone there!

10/01/2026

09/17/2026

It is with heavy hearts that the Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company announces the passing of our Brother Firefighter, Mike Dembski, who has entered into eternal rest.

Mike was more than a firefighter—he was our brother and a member of the Big Tree family. His service, friendship, and the memories he leaves behind will remain with us.

We extend our deepest condolences to Mike’s family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside him.

Rest easy, Brother Mike. Your duty is complete. We’ll take it from here.

May you rest in peace, and may we never forget your service.

🚒 Gone, but never forgotten.

View Michael A. Dembski, Sr.'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/16/2026

FOR SALE BY SEALED BID

2000 FORD E-450 ROAD RESCUE AMBULANCE

Mileage: 56,466 Miles

The Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company (Big Tree VFC) is accepting sealed bids for a 2000 Ford E-450 Road Rescue Ambulance formerly used as an emergency medical services vehicle.

VEHICLE INFORMATION

2000 Ford E-450
Ambulance Body: Road Rescue
Motor: 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
VIN: 1FDXE45F3YHA90693
Mileage: Approximately 56,466 miles* Clean Title

INCLUDED EQUIPMENT

The ambulance is being sold substantially as pictured and includes:

- Stryker Power-Lift Stretcher Only
- Defibtech Mechanical CPR Device
- Installed emergency lighting and siren equipment
- Other pictured equipment unless otherwise noted

Radios are NOT included.

Please Note: Some graphics, lettering, and identifying markings, including the Big Tree name and/or identification, will be removed prior to the sale. The vehicle may therefore differ in appearance from photographs provided or posted.

CONDITION & MAINTENANCE

The ambulance has been maintained during Big Tree VFC ownership. Prospective bidders are encouraged to review available maintenance records and inspect the vehicle prior to submitting a bid.

The vehicle and all included equipment are being sold AS IS, WHERE IS, without warranty or guarantee, express or implied.

INSPECTION

Prospective bidders are encouraged to inspect the ambulance and included equipment before submitting a bid.

To schedule an appointment to view or inspect the ambulance, contact:

Chief Jeffrey Roth
Phone: 716-432-1339
Email: [email protected]

SEALED BID INFORMATION

Sealed bids must clearly identify:

“2000 Ford E-450 Road Rescue Ambulance”

Bids must be received no later than 7:00 PM on November 18, 2026.

All sealed bids should be addressed and mailed or delivered to:

Chief Jeffrey Roth
Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company
4112 Big Tree Rd.
Hamburg, NY 14075

Sealed bids will be opened on November 18, 2026.

PAYMENT & SALE TERMS

Payment must be made by cash or certified bank check.

Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company reserves the right to reject any and all bids, for any reason, and is under no obligation to accept the highest bid.

Sale is subject to completion of all applicable statutory requirements.

Mileage may increase prior to sale.

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OPTIONAL BID WITH AMBULANCE — LIFEPAK 15 CARDIAC MONITOR V4

Bidders submitting a bid on the 2000 Ford E-450 Road Rescue Ambulance may also submit an optional additional bid amount for the Physio-Control LIFEPAK 15 Cardiac Monitor/Defibrillator.

The LIFEPAK 15 is not automatically included in the ambulance bid. Bidders wishing to include the LIFEPAK 15 with their purchase must clearly state a separate bid amount for the cardiac monitor in addition to their ambulance bid amount.

LIFEPAK 15 FEATURES

- Biphasic
- 12-Lead
- AED
- Pacing
- SpO2
- NIBP
- EtCO2
- Bluetooth
- Printer
- BioMed Certified Refurbished

BID EXAMPLE

Ambulance Bid: $____________

Optional LIFEPAK 15 Cardiac Monitor Bid: $____________

Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company reserves the right to accept or reject the optional LIFEPAK 15 bid.

09/12/2026

🔥 Member Highlight: Tyler Giovino 🔥

Tyler has been making a name for himself here at Big Tree, continuing to learn, grow, and take on more responsibility. He currently serves as a Fire Lieutenant, and we’re proud to see the progress he’s making within our department.

What makes Tyler stand out is his commitment to the fire service as a whole. He doesn’t just serve one department or one community. He gives his time and dedication to several emergency service organizations throughout the Southtowns.

Tyler is also a dedicated service provider with:

🚑 Hamburg EMS
🚑 Eden Emergency Squad
☣️ Southtowns Hazmat
🌊 Hamburg Water Rescue

That’s a lot of time, training, and commitment to helping others. Whether it’s responding to a fire, providing medical care, helping with a hazmat incident, or answering a water rescue call, Tyler continues to put others first.

One of the coolest parts of Tyler’s story is that his involvement in the fire service inspired his own parents to join Big Tree as well. After seeing how much Tyler enjoyed helping his community and being there for people during their time of need, his mother and father decided to join the department too.

That says a lot about the kind of impact Tyler has not just on the people he serves, but on the people closest to him. It’s pretty special to see a family come together through the fire service and share that same passion for helping others.

We appreciate the time and effort Tyler puts into Big Tree and all the other organizations he serves. His willingness to learn, help out, and continue moving forward in the fire service is something to be proud of.

Keep up the great work, Tyler! We’re glad to have you and your family as part of the Big Tree family.

09/11/2026

On this date 25 years ago in 2001, one of the deadliest terror attacks on American soil occurred. At 8:46 am the first plane hit the world trade center. At 10:28 am both world trade center towers 1 and 2 were decimated to a pile of rubble and twisted steel. Subsequently a total of 2,753 people lost their lives that day. 2,180 civilians, 343 members of the FDNY, 37 Port Authority Officers, 23 members of the NYPD, and 11 other emergency/ law enforcement personnel. Big Tree joined the effort to help the city of New York along with 21 other fire departments in Erie County. An ambulance was requested with paramedics, so three members answered the call. At the time, members Chris Hull, Ken Page and Chris Zak were sent on a three day deployment to ground zero. They were tasked with standing by for any EMS calls in the battery park area. After an hour at work Big Tree’s ambulance got a flat and could not get fixed right away. The decision was made that both Chris Hull and Chris Zak would help dig to look for any survivors or deceased individuals. We commemorate our members for their help with the efforts at ground zero. We remember and never forget those individuals lost on that day.

Written by Firefighter/EMT Sean Foley

09/06/2026

Congratulations to our Member with Restrictions Firefighter Sam Caruso on everything you completed this year!

09/03/2026

🔥 MEMBER HIGHLIGHT— JOHN CARLIN SR. 🔥

Today, we want to recognize and show our appreciation for John Carlin Sr., a member who has dedicated many, many years to the fire service and to serving those around him.

John’s kindness, passion, professionalism, and dedication to the job are qualities that simply cannot go unnoticed. Throughout his years of service, he has taken on numerous roles and responsibilities, beginning as an interior firefighter, serving as a D-Unit, working as a Town Safety Officer, serving as a Training Officer, and currently serving as our Company Safety Officer.

What truly sets John apart, however is his willingness to share his knowledge and experience with others. Whether it’s a new member learning the basics or a seasoned firefighter looking to sharpen their skills, John is always willing to take the time to teach, train, explain, and lend a helping hand.

And John’s willingness to help doesn’t stop at our department. He has consistently shown a true commitment to the entire fire service community, always willing to lend his time, knowledge, and experience to help other departments throughout the town. His dedication to helping others succeed and keeping our fellow firefighters safe is something that speaks volumes about the kind of person and firefighter he is.

John’s years of experience are an incredible asset to our department, but his willingness to pass that experience on to others is what makes his impact truly lasting.

John, thank you for the countless hours, the knowledge you’ve shared, the guidance you’ve provided, and your continued willingness to help anyone who needs it — whether they wear our department’s colors or belong to another department in our town.

Your commitment to the fire service, your fellow firefighters, and our community is truly appreciated.

Thank you, John Carlin Sr., for everything you do and everything you continue to bring to our department and the fire service as a whole. We are proud to have you as a member. 🚒🔥

08/24/2026

Member Highlight — Carol Covert

Today, we are proud to recognize and celebrate Carol Covert, a true cornerstone of our department and a dedicated member of our fire service family.

Carol has been a member of the department for an incredible 41 years and is a current Life Member. Throughout those four decades, she has served in countless roles on both the firematic/EMS side and the administrative side of the department. Her willingness to serve wherever she was needed has made a lasting impact on our organization and the community we proudly serve.

Carol’s 41 years of dedication represent thousands of hours of service, countless memories, and an unwavering commitment to her fellow members and our community. Her experience, knowledge, and willingness to help have helped shape our department into what it is today.

Public service is truly a family commitment for Carol. Her husband, Kurt, is also dedicated to the fire service as a member of Scranton Volunteer Fire Company.

Carol, thank you for 41 years of service, dedication, leadership, and friendship. We are incredibly grateful for everything you have given to our department and our community.

Congratulations and thank you, Carol! 🚒❤️💙

08/23/2026

The members of Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Tyler Schenck’s family, friends, and loved ones, as well as his entire Seneca Hose Fire Company, Erie County EMS, and Erie County HazMat families.

Our thoughts are with everyone who knew, worked alongside, and served with Tyler during this incredibly difficult time.

The fire and EMS community is a family, and when one of us hurts, we all hurt.

Rest easy, Tyler. We’ll take it from here.

It is with great sadness that we notify you of the loss of one of our members, Tyler Schenck, who passed away in an accident last evening.

Tyler was not only a valued and respected member of our organization, but also a member of the Erie County Department of Health, EMS Division; the Erie County Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Services, Hazardous Materials Response Team; and Hamburg EMS, as well as a former member of Reserve Fire Company.

At approximately 2200 hours on August 22, 2026, emergency personnel responded to a single-vehicle motor vehicle accident in the Town of Elma. Members of the Blossom Vol. Fire Company, Spring Brook Fire District #1, Erie County EMS, and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office responded and worked together to manage the incident.

Tyler was described by those who knew and worked alongside him as lovable, lighthearted, and a passionate EMS provider who genuinely cared about everyone he met. During his time serving in the fire and EMS communities, Tyler made a meaningful impact on his coworkers, fellow first responders, and the people he served. His loss will be deeply felt throughout our public safety, fire, and EMS communities. Our deepest condolences go out to the Schenck family, Tyler’s friends, and his fellow members during this incredibly difficult time.

We recognize that the sudden loss of a coworker and fellow first responder can affect each of us differently. Employees are encouraged to support one another and utilize the resources available to them. Confidential assistance is available through:

WNY Law Enforcement Helpline
(716) 858-COPS or (716) 858-2677
All calls are confidential.
Public Safety Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
(888) EAP-1060

Further details are being withheld due to the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. We will provide additional information once it becomes available and appropriate to share.

Dylan Seufert
Chief - 9