Versailles Vol. Fire Co.

07/17/2026

A big thank‑you to the Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce for putting on a fantastic event and recognizing all the amazing groups who participated.

Congrats to the other winners—and hats off to every single participant who brought energy, creativity, and community pride to Main Street.

07/13/2026

Parade in Gowanda
What a wonderful day for a parade, we all had a great time and enjoyed seeing so much creativity with all of the participants. Great Job to all involved!

04/05/2026

What a Day at the Versailles Easter Egg Hunt! 🥚

We couldn’t have asked for better weather or better energy at this year’s Easter Egg Hunt. The Commons were buzzing with excitement as our young egg‑hunters tore across the park like seasoned detectives on a mission.

The competition was fierce, but the fun was even bigger:

2-5 yrs
Lil’ Snyder girl snagged the first prize basket, sweeping through the park with sharp eyes and quick feet.

6-9 yrs
• Lola Neu broke the dry spell next, using her top‑tier investigative skills to uncover the hidden treasure and claim the second basket.

10-up
• And then came Lucas Stockwell, who stormed through the park with pure determination, checking every nook, cranny, and crevice until he secured the final prize basket.

Every single kid left with extra goodies for their hard work, bright smiles, and unstoppable enthusiasm. It was one of those perfect small‑town days where the laughter carries, the memories stick, and the Easter Bunny definitely approves.

03/24/2026

03/05/2026

LAST CALL

Tuesday night, the hall had an emptiness we haven’t felt in years; but we carried on with the same laughter, the same teasing, the same easy rhythm of brothers who’ve spent a lifetime together. And in that spirit, we gathered not in sorrow, but in the way, Joel would’ve wanted: in friendship, in stories, and in the kind of fire family that defined his life.

This picture captures it perfectly... not just another training, but a crew standing shoulder to shoulder, doing what they loved, doing what he loved. That picture is more than a snapshot. It’s the spirit of his Versailles boys. It’s the pride, the brotherhood, the humor, and the bond that Joel helped build over 52 years.

Last night, that picture became our reminder that Joel wasn’t just part of this company… he shaped it, he shaped us. And even though his chair was empty, his presence filled the room.

When dispatch called his name for the final time, the silence that followed wasn’t empty, it was full. Full of memories. Full of gratitude. Full of the legacy he leaves behind in every firefighter he trained, every story he told, and every life he touched.

His Last Call wasn’t an ending; it was a passing of the torch.
Because the boys in that picture, the ones who trained with him, laughed with him, learned from him will carry him forward. His legacy will walk through these doors every Tuesday night for years to come.

Rest easy, Papa Neu.
Your Versailles boys will carry on.
We are Fire for Life.

02/27/2026

A Heartfelt Tribute to Lifetime Member Joel Neu

For more than 52 years, Joel Neu served this fire company with dedication, pride, and a spirit that lifted everyone around him. Today, as we share the news of his passing, we honor a man whose presence shaped generations of firefighters and left an imprint on this department that will never fade.

Joel was known first and foremost as a friendly, welcoming, and deeply knowledgeable member of our company. He carried decades of experience, yet he shared it with humility and patience. Whether someone was a brand‑new recruit or a seasoned firefighter, Joel treated everyone with the same steady respect. He became a mentor to all of us, someone you could turn to for guidance, clarity, or a reminder of how things were done “back in the day.”

Joel served in every position within this company, each one carried with pride, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility. For more than 25 years, he held a Chief officer’s position, guiding this department with steady leadership, calm judgment, and the kind of experience that only decades of service can build.

One of Joel’s greatest gifts was his ability to teach. Countless firefighters learned the ins and outs of running a pumper under his watchful eye. He didn’t just explain procedures… he passed down the craft, the responsibility, and the pride that came with doing the job right. His lessons became part of our culture, carried forward by every firefighter he helped train.

Above all, Joel lived by a simple truth he once said himself:
“I am fire for life.”
And he was. Every day. Every year. Every role. Every story.

And then there were the stories.
Joel was a master storyteller, the kind who could turn an ordinary moment into something unforgettable. More than once, he’d hijack a meeting with one of his famous tangents… stories that wandered, twisted, and somehow always found their way back to a point. Those stories filled the room with laughter, history, and a sense of family. They reminded us that this fire company isn’t just a place we serve, it’s a place we belong, it was family.

Joel’s presence made our department stronger. His knowledge made us better. His humor made us closer. And his kindness made us proud to stand beside him.

Today, we say goodbye to a man who gave more than five decades of service to this community. His legacy lives on in every firefighter he mentored, every story he told, and every life he touched.

The members wish to express our sincere condolences to the Neu family. May you find strength, comfort, and peace in the days ahead.

Rest in peace, Papa Neu – for we are “Fire For Life”

02/13/2026

ATTENTION
Versailles water district is using 3times the normal usage. Look for water leaks around town and houses.