Niagara Falls, NY — March 10th — A working residential structure fire prompted the Department Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station 914th Fire Department to respond to a mutual aid request from the City of Tonawanda. Chief 2 and Engine 7 were sent to help the city firefighters who were already on the scene. As soon as they arrived, the 914th Fire Department crew was designated as the Firefighter Assist and Search Team (FAST), a backup team ready to help firemen inside the building if necessary.

Crews from the City of Tonawanda quickly moved handlines and contained the fire. During the operation, no firefighting emergencies were reported. Engine 7 was put back into service and the FAST crew was freed after the situation had settled. In Western New York villages, mutual aid is still a crucial component of fire safety.