Clarendon, Murray fire service both see record-high call volume in 2025
Clarendon responded to 565 calls, Murray 866
Photos by Tom Rivers: Clarendon Fire Chief Bob Freida and Rose Porter light a candle in memory of her husband, Mark Porter, who passed away at age 54 on April 15, 2025. Porter was a commissioner on the Murray Joint Fire District and was very involved in the previous three decades with the Holley Fire Department and Monroe Ambulance.
BATAVIA – The Clarendon Fire Company and Murray Joint Fire District held a combined annual installation dinner on Saturday at Batavia Downs. Both fire service organizations reported record high call volume in 2025 with Clarendon going to 565 calls and Murray responded to 866.
“Behind every one of those numbers is a person who needed help – and members who answered,” said Bob Freida, the Clarendon fire chief.
Clarendon responded to 248 EMS calls, 127 fire calls, 50 motor vehicle accidents including one with seven patients with five of those in critical condition. Clarendon firefighters also went on 140 service calls with trees and wires down, pump details and lift assists.
Earl Jenks, left, a member of the Clarendon Fire Company Board of Directors and Fire Chief Bob Freida address a crowd of 144 people on Saturday at Batavia Downs.
Clarendon presented the following awards:
- Chief’s Award – Karl Biedlingmaier “for his outstanding commitment to our organization and his leadership with training.”
- President’s Award – Cory Fultz for his drive to not only better himself with training but to help make the Clarendon Fire Company stronger.
- Board of Directors Award – Renee Biedlingmaier for her commitment to the organization.
Years of service awards were presented to the following: Matt Campbell for 30 years; Troy Kingdollar and William Gergly Sr. for 25 years; James DeYoung and Jon R. DeYoung for 20 years.
This is the 70th anniversary of the Clarendon Fire Company. Freida noted how the community formed the fire company in 1956 when “a handful of local farmers and friends who believed their community deserved protection. They pitched together to purchase a used fire truck, not because it was easy but because it was necessary.”
The fire company now has a fire hall with state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained members, Freida said.
Larry Vaughn, retired Brockport fire chief and lieutenant with the Ridge Road Fire Department, served as master of ceremonies. He said the volunteer departments all need more active members. He urged the members to personally invite people to join their organizations.
The Clarendon Fire Company currently has 26 active members. Freida said more members are welcome. Some of the members in January started meeting at the fire hall at 9 a.m. on Sundays for breakfast. Freida said it facilitates the family environment and fellowship at the fire company.
Clarendon firefighters logged 1,421 training hours in 2025, with 530 hours in meetings and 5,504 hours dedicated to calls and work details.
“That’s thousands of hours given freely, away from families, jobs and personal time, all in service to this community,” Freida said.
He highlighted the following:
- Cory Fultz completed both the BIFO (basic interior firefighting operations) and IFO (interior firefighter operations) classes and is working on his EMT.
- Renee Biedlingmaier earned her EMT certification.
- Kyle White completed the BIFO class and is working to complete the IFO.
- Mark McGuire and Jamie Steffen were welcomed back as members.
Clarendon Fire Company Line Officers for 2026 include:
- Fire Chief: Robert Freida
- Deputy Chief: Karl Biedlingmaier
- Assistant Chief: Don Moiser
- Captain: Jim DeYoung
- Lieutenant: Earl Jenks, Bill Gergly, Pat Wallace
- Safety Officer: Dan Campbell and Bob Margis
- Fire Police Captain: Craig Hadden
- EMS Lieutenant: Renee Biedlingmaier and Lorene Biedlingmaier
Freida said Clarendon is grateful for the positive working relationship with the Murray Joint Fire District.
“The teamwork and camaraderie between our two organizations is outstanding,” Freida said. “Whether it’s on scene at a call or working together throughout the year, your partnership makes us stronger and better.”
Murray Fire Chief Rick Cary addresses the crowd for the installation banquet, which Clarendon and Murray held at Batavia Downs for the first time, to try to something different for the annual event.
Murray’s 866 calls in 2025 were up from 124 in 2024, and already are at 142 the first two months of this year.
Murray responded to four working fires, several accidents with people trapped, a fatal drowning in the canal with large law enforcement presence from two counties, 125 mutual aid calls, and many storm-related services calls “from the never-ending falling ash tree saga around the county,” Cary said.
Murray firefighters also lead fire prevention at Holley schools and attend many community events, such at the June Fest, the Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat for Halloween.
Murray’s Line Officers for 2026 include:
- Fire Chief: Rick Cary
- Deputy Chief: Pete Hendrickson
- Assistant Chief: Kevin Dann
- Captains: Chris Chilson and Allan Smith
- Lieutenants: Chris Middleton Justin McMillon and Matt Edick
- Fire Police Captain: John Morriss
- Fire Police Lt: Jerry Wagner
Bob Beisang, third from left, receives an award for his efforts with inventory control. He receives congratulations, from left: Chief Cary, Deputy Chief Pete Hendrickson and Assistant Chief Kevin Dann.
Chief Cary announced the following awards:
• Dave Smith for working on all the small-powered equipment, keeping everything running and the blades sharpened.
• Bob Beisang for spending many hours on reports and inventory control. “When I need a task to be completed, he usually steps up and asks how he can help,” Cary said.
• Allan Smith as top responding line officer. “This individual is always just a phone call away,” Cary said. “He manages our training program and oversees fleet maintenance. Although he has only been a member for a couple of years, he has jumped in with both feet and has truly excelled.”
Cary also commended “rock stars” for their efforts with many of the emergency calls in the community. He praised the Holley Police Department, Holley DPW, Murray Highway Department, Orleans County dispatchers and road patrol deputies, and others for their assistance.
Dr. Dan Schiavone and Jenna Amering receives the “Distinguished Service Award.” The duo responds to the night-time calls. Schiavone runs a dental practice in the Public Square and Amering is the practice’s adminsitrator.
Cary said Schiavone and Amering both have been “standout” members. They respond to about 500 calls a year.
Schiavone manages health and safety initiatives, ensuring medical needs are met and follows up with members to keep them on track, Cary said.
Amering is a district commissioner. She also completed the 151-hour training courses for basic exterior firefighter and interior firefighter. She is working on becoming a certified EMT. Schiavone already is an EMT and interior firefighter. The couple said they want to give back to the community that gives back to them at the dental office.
They also said they enjoy the friendships with the Murray Joint Fire District.
Fran Gaylord, right, received a “I can’t pay you but I can feed you” plaque for his many years of offering hospitality at the fire hall in Holley. He is shown with Holley Police Chief Bob Barton and Shannon McMillion, who is a board member for the Holley Fire Company. McMillion said Gaylord makes chili and other food for firefighters.
“He’s such a role model,” McMillion said. “He’s a person who makes our fire department feel like family.”
