Big Tree VFC

08/24/2026

Member Highlight — Carol Covert

Today, we are proud to recognize and celebrate Carol Covert, a true cornerstone of our department and a dedicated member of our fire service family.

Carol has been a member of the department for an incredible 41 years and is a current Life Member. Throughout those four decades, she has served in countless roles on both the firematic/EMS side and the administrative side of the department. Her willingness to serve wherever she was needed has made a lasting impact on our organization and the community we proudly serve.

Carol’s 41 years of dedication represent thousands of hours of service, countless memories, and an unwavering commitment to her fellow members and our community. Her experience, knowledge, and willingness to help have helped shape our department into what it is today.

Public service is truly a family commitment for Carol. Her husband, Kurt, is also dedicated to the fire service as a member of Scranton Volunteer Fire Company.

Carol, thank you for 41 years of service, dedication, leadership, and friendship. We are incredibly grateful for everything you have given to our department and our community.

Congratulations and thank you, Carol! 🚒❤️💙

08/23/2026

The members of Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Tyler Schenck’s family, friends, and loved ones, as well as his entire Seneca Hose Fire Company, Erie County EMS, and Erie County HazMat families.

Our thoughts are with everyone who knew, worked alongside, and served with Tyler during this incredibly difficult time.

The fire and EMS community is a family, and when one of us hurts, we all hurt.

Rest easy, Tyler. We’ll take it from here.

It is with great sadness that we notify you of the loss of one of our members, Tyler Schenck, who passed away in an accident last evening.

Tyler was not only a valued and respected member of our organization, but also a member of the Erie County Department of Health, EMS Division; the Erie County Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Services, Hazardous Materials Response Team; and Hamburg EMS, as well as a former member of Reserve Fire Company.

At approximately 2200 hours on August 22, 2026, emergency personnel responded to a single-vehicle motor vehicle accident in the Town of Elma. Members of the Blossom Vol. Fire Company, Spring Brook Fire District #1, Erie County EMS, and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office responded and worked together to manage the incident.

Tyler was described by those who knew and worked alongside him as lovable, lighthearted, and a passionate EMS provider who genuinely cared about everyone he met. During his time serving in the fire and EMS communities, Tyler made a meaningful impact on his coworkers, fellow first responders, and the people he served. His loss will be deeply felt throughout our public safety, fire, and EMS communities. Our deepest condolences go out to the Schenck family, Tyler’s friends, and his fellow members during this incredibly difficult time.

We recognize that the sudden loss of a coworker and fellow first responder can affect each of us differently. Employees are encouraged to support one another and utilize the resources available to them. Confidential assistance is available through:

WNY Law Enforcement Helpline
(716) 858-COPS or (716) 858-2677
All calls are confidential.
Public Safety Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
(888) EAP-1060

Further details are being withheld due to the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. We will provide additional information once it becomes available and appropriate to share.

Dylan Seufert
Chief - 9

08/21/2026

Congratulations Sam!

08/14/2026

🚒 Member Highlight: Captain Mark Patterson

Today, we want to take a moment to recognize Captain Mark Patterson and everything he has brought to our department over the past three years.

Since the day Mark walked through our doors, he has shown what being a volunteer firefighter is really about. He has a genuine passion for the fire service, a constant willingness to learn, and, most importantly, a desire to help the people around him become better.

In just three years, Mark has quickly moved through the ranks and earned his current position as Captain. That didn’t happen by accident. It came from putting in the time, asking questions, learning new skills, and being someone his fellow members can count on.

One of the things that stands out most about Mark is how willing he is to help others. He’s always working with fellow members, sharing what he’s learned, and helping them build their confidence and skills. He doesn’t just want to become a better firefighter himself—he wants everyone around him to become better too.

This year, Mark also took on his most important role yet, becoming a dad to a baby boy. We’re excited to see him take on this new chapter of his life, and we’re sure his son will someday be proud to hear about the time his dad spent serving his community.

Mark, thank you for everything you do for the department, for your brothers and sisters beside you, and for the community we serve. Your dedication, selflessness, and leadership don’t go unnoticed.

We’re proud to call you one of our own and even prouder to call you Captain!

Congratulations on your growing family, Captain Patterson! 👶❤️🚒

Thank you for answering the call.

08/13/2026

Answer the Call — Become a Volunteer Firefighter 🚒

Our community needs you.

The Big Tree Volunteer Fire Department is looking for dedicated men and women who are willing to step up, serve their community, and make a difference when it matters most.

You don’t need to be a firefighter already. Training is provided. What matters is your willingness to learn, work as a team, and answer the call when your neighbors need you.

🔥 Protect your neighbors
🤝 Become part of a brotherhood and sisterhood
📚 Receive valuable training and experience
❤️ Give back to the community you call home

The call for help could come at any time. Will you be there to answer it?

Stop by the station on Monday’s at 6pm during drill or give us a call to join the Big Tree Volunteer Fire Department today and become part of our team!

📞 716-824-0264
🌐 bigtreevfc.com

Your community needs you. Answer the call.

08/11/2026

08/06/2026

Press Release: Big Tree Responds to Second Fire in as Many Days

For Immediate Release

Just after 11:30 PM Wednesday night, the Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched to multiple 911 calls reporting a tractor-trailer fire on Jeffrey Boulevard.

Hamburg Police arrived first and advised that the incident was not a tractor-trailer fire, but rather several large bins on fire outside UniFirst Corporation. Upon arrival, Big Tree Chief Roth arrived shorty after and observed that the fire had extended up the outside of the building and immediately requested a Second Alarm to bring additional resources to the scene.

Big Tree units responding:

- Big Tree 9
- Big Tree 9-1
- Big Tree 1
- Big Tree 2

Mutual aid companies responding:

- Woodlawn 4
- Newton Abbott 6
- Scranton 6
- Lakeshore 7
- Orchard Park FAST
- Hamburg 6 was added as an additional truck company.
- Armor Engine backfilled Big Tree Station.
- AMR

Additionally, Thank you to the following for their assistance:

- Hamburg Fire Investigators
- Hamburg Building Inspector
- National Fuel
- NYSEG

Through the coordinated efforts of interior and exterior firefighting crews, the fire was brought under control quickly, preventing further extension into the structure. The interior of the building sustained only minor smoke and water damage, and UniFirst Corporation is expected to open today and remain fully operational.

There were no injuries to civilians or emergency responders.

This marks the second working fire in as many days for the Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company. We thank Hamburg Police, our mutual aid partners, and all responding personnel for their professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to protecting our community.

08/04/2026

Just after noon today, the Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company and multiple mutual aid fire companies responded to a reported structure fire on Robin Lane. The Hamburg Police Department arrived first on scene and reported smoke coming from the roof, providing an important initial size-up for responding firefighters.

Firefighters arrived quickly, confirmed fire showing on the Delta side, and immediately began fire attack and a search of the residence. The fire was brought under control quickly, and crews remained on scene conducting overhaul and checking for any extension. No injuries were reported.

We would like to thank all of our mutual aid partners for their rapid response, assistance, and teamwork. Responding agencies included:

• Armor Volunteer Fire Company
• Hamburg Volunteer Fire Department
• Lake Shore Fire Department
• Newton Abbott Volunteer Fire Company
• Scranton Volunteer Fire Company
• Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Company
• Seneca Hose Company FAST Team
• Hamburg Police Department
• AMR Ambulance

Incidents like these highlight the strength of our mutual aid system and the dedication of all the first responders who work together to protect our community.

Thank you to everyone who responded and helped ensure a successful outcome.

08/01/2026

Another busy month!