BATAVIA, NY — February 11th — Within a 24-hour period, the Firefighter Assistance and Search Team (FAST) from the City of Batavia Fire Department, located at 18 Evans St., responded to two different structure fires. Incidents in the villages of Alden and Attica were assigned to Batavia personnel. When conditions change, FAST teams are ready to help crews working inside a structure and are stationed at active fires to protect firefighter safety.

FAST personnel set up nearby with specialized rescue gear and keep an eye on fireground conditions while interior crews carry out search and fire suppression operations. FAST assignments are frequently included in mutual assistance systems in western New York to improve firefighter safety during more serious events. While other agencies dealt with suppression operations, Batavia firefighters stayed prepared to help.