There are times when the citizens of our community answer the call of those in need. Your firefighters of the Brant volunteer fire company, with outstanding courage to enter harm’s way, showed their willingness to put an end to a disastrous situation.

In the early evening hours on Thursday, July 12th 2007, the years of training, conditioning and preparedness of the Brant Volunteer firefighters came to the forefront. The potentially dangerous accident, involved a truck and a fully loaded 500 pound propane tank, which ruptured, and evolved to very severe and potentially disastrous proportions. I could only think about an event that took place years prior, when the explosion of a similar size tank, took the lives of brave firefighters, in the city of Buffalo.

Chief Dave Pero and his men took quick action, in the face of danger. Assessing the situation, they risked their lives in an unselfish and brave act that prevented further loss of life and property.

To our outstanding and brave Brant firefighters, who so gallantly answered the call for our town with overwhelming acts of bravery: There is no number of awards that could show you how much we appreciate your professionalism and we commend your actions.

Chief Dave Pero, Firefighter Tim Hidy, Asst. Chief Joe Paternostro, Firefighter Joe Hill, Firefighter Pete Pero, Firefighter John Wilson, Firefighter Brian Richards, Firefighter Jeff Renaldo, and Patrolman Ray Zabron.

On Friday, September 7, 2007 the Angola Volunteer Fire Department said good-bye to two good friends James R. Davis and Robert W. Beck. They will be missed.

James R. Davis died in his Angola home, at the age of 55. Jimmy was the loving husband of Vicki ( Hartz) Davis. Dearest father of James R. Davis and Nicholas M. ( Tiffany) Davis, both of Angola. Brother of Cheri (Ronald) McMillan, Michael( Georgianna), Patrick (Ruth) and Thomas Davis. Brother-in-law of Pamela (Jerry) Ovitt, Tina (Curt) Wright, Tim(Allison) Hartz and Chris (Janet) Hartz. Uncle to Jae, Michelle, Jason, Scott, Dan, Bethany, Zachary, Lauren, Alex, Philip and Deidre. Also survived by his best friends Bill Sills, Don Hepkins, Dan Jasinski and Rhonda Davis.

Robert W. Beck, of Silver Creek, formerly of Angola, NY, died in the Erie County Medical Center, at the age of 80. Bob was the beloved husband of Shirley (Dickinson) Beck; son of Elsie (the late Robert); loving father of Robert E. Beck; grandfather of Alicia E. and Robert J. Beck; brother of Pauline, Raymond, Janet, Donna, and the late Jean and Bill; nephew of Ethel; uncle of the late Marlene (Bob) Catalino and Howard (Marge) Frawley; also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Beck was a WWII Navy Veteran, a life long member of the Angola V.F.D. serving as President and Fire Commissioner, First United Church of Christ of Angola and the Florida Congregational Church. He was a retired Ford Motor Co. employee. Memorials may be made to the Angola Volunteer Fire Department.