FUTURE FIREFIGHTERS
Pictured left – Kathy Trost and Jill Dunn present a $2,000.00 check to Sydney Sanders from EFD Explorer Program. For the third year in a row the Rotary Club of Ellicottville Foundation for Youth donated $2,000.00 to the Ellicottville Fire Company. This donation will help fund new members in 2018 for the EFD Explorer Program. This program, in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America, provides an opportunity for any child (aged 13 – 16) to become a volunteer fireman in training. Zach Golley, Kyle Germain and Daniel Tapikin are 3 young men from the Explorers who have joined the regular ranks of the Volunteer Firefighters over the past years.
“This type of program fits perfectly with the Rotary Foundation for Youth’s mission and we are happy to help," said Kathy Trost, Secretary of the Rotary Club of Ellicottville. She continued, “Our intention is to try to support two new members every year. We believe that this helps the Volunteer Fire Company maintain and grow the EFD who provide a tremendous service to our community." Jill Dunn added, “We are able to provide this funding because of the generous support for our fundraisers like Tuscan Moon.”
"The high cost of equipment for volunteers has been a limiting factor for growth of the program. This generous donation will help us grow the program and add much needed help to the company," said Debbie Golley from EFD. 
There are currently seven members of the Explorer program. Explorer members get to participate in meetings, work nights, as well as in fire and ambulance calls. During work nights they learn about various fire trucks and equipment, like airpacks and they get to practice running the hose. While attending an actual fire, there are restrictions to what they can do to ensure safety, while allowing them to learn. At the scene they report to the assistant chief or captain for their assignments.