All is well, after nearly a year since Hancock joined forces with the Coloma Fire Department Hancock joining forces with Coloma Fire Department is a successful venture

The Fire Board representing Towns of Deerfield, Colburn and Hancock and the Village of Hancock made a decision early last year to turn over the control of the Hancock Volunteer Fire Department to Coloma.  This decision was one that was met with many questions and concerns from the Village of Hancock and area town residents.  After nearly a year under the supervision of Coloma Area Fire Department, the Hancock area is known as Coloma Station 2 and the Coloma area is Coloma Station 1 under the direction of Chief Nate Sigourney.

Erik Johnston, one of the assistant chiefs, oversees Station 2 works with the Hancock Fire Board and is paid by residents of the Town of Deerfield, Colburn, Hancock and Village of Hancock. Tom Huff, the other assistant chief, oversees Coloma Station 1 and is paid by residents in the Coloma Area Fire Department.  Chief Sigourney is paid 50 percent from Coloma and 50 percent from Hancock.

Coloma 2 currently has 19 members from Hancock and 16 of those have completed driver certification. “These are all good people and it is great to work together. In the department all are welcome.  The transition and cooperation between Hancock and Coloma has been smooth and it has not affected the call times for Hancock residents,” Johnston said. He also added that Coloma 2 has responded to about 130 calls, most of them has been to assist ambulance and Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

The Hancock Fire Board Members including Larry Flyte, Larry Monroe, Jim Gold, Roger Stratton and Tom Whalley recently toured Coloma Station 2 in Hancock a few weeks ago and were happy with the building and equipment. Roger Stratton, Town of Deerfield, a member of the Hancock Area Fire District told the Argus in a phone conversation, “We now have dependable fire service and rescue with trained and qualified personnel.  Long term I would like to establish the Hancock Fire Department again.”  Stratton said the only problem he hears at this time is that the station is known as Coloma 2, not Hancock Fire Department.

Larry Flyte, Chairman of the Hancock Area Fire District, said that it is great to see lots of new people on the fire department and he is happy with the EMT class that is starting early this year. “Everything is positive and we have a three-year contract that can be changed in December if we see fit,” Flyte said.  He also gives a lot of credit to Nate Sigourney, Chief, and Erik Johnston, Assistant Chief, for their dedication and commitment to helping Hancock. He added that both grew up in Hancock, they truly care, and it shows.

Johnston said that with the money from fundraising they were able to purchase a new jaws for $13,000 that is on the heavy rescue vehicle.  Board money wasn’t used in the purchase and he also added that the Coloma 1 Jaws and Coloma 2 Jaws are both TNT and parts can be shared if needed. This year due to the pandemic fundraising efforts were a bit different as Coloma Fire Department teamed up with the Coloma Lions at the drive-thru chicken dinner and the station in Hancock joined the Hancock Lions Club on a drive-thru pork dinner.

Johnston said that COVID-19 has set back the training a bit and meetings have been held by Zoom to protect the department. “The Coloma station was hit hard with COVID and we have to protect our fellow firefighters,” he added. He said training has resumed in smaller groups.  In January a four-month course on Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) will be conducted by Mid-State Area Technical College. The course is approximately 90 hours and will be conducted at night and Saturdays.

“There are many advantages to Coloma 1 and Coloma 2 (Hancock) joining forces,” Johnston said.  Mutual aid is just one where we are called to do traffic control for an accident.  Both stations are called and they can respond from two different directions securing a road closure. Another advantage is that Coloma 2 (Hancock) has one tanker and Coloma 1 has three.  So, manpower and water when responding to a fire is much more effective.  The other is splitting costs and saving taxpayers money as they are only paying one chief and each pays half.

On Saturday, Dec. 19th, Coloma 1 and Coloma 2 held an ice rescue training for 22 participants. Two years ago, the departments completed their certification, Johnston added.

Another way to keep everyone informed about happenings for Coloma 1 and Coloma 2 is through their Facebook page – just go on and like “Coloma Fire Department” – and stay connected.  “Social media is just another avenue to get the word out to the residents we serve,” Johnston said.

What started out in early 2020 as a Hancock Fire Department issue with training and equipment issues, has now turned into a joint venture that serves Hancock area well under the direction of Coloma Fire Department.  It is a team working together for the same cause – to provide the best fire and safety protection for residents with trained and certified firefighters and suffient equipment.  The Hancock residents are served out of the facility in Hancock and by their friends and neighbors who are trained firefighters ready to respond to any emergency situation.