In an effort to introduce the community to our members, we will periodically spotlight a different member. It is our privilege to introduce Frank Brier.

Frank Brier is currently the longest serving active member of the SLVFD and has entered his fiftieth year of volunteer fire service this year.

At age 27 Frank had decided he was going to join a fire department, it would be either Tupper Lake or Saranac Lake? He lived in Tupper Lake but he worked in Saranac Lake at the Sunoco station on Upper Broadway. The Tri-Lakes Federal Credit Union now stands where that Sunoco Station used to. Frank and his wife mulled over the decision of whether they should move to Saranac Lake or whether Frank should get a job in Tupper Lake. At that time Frank had 2 brother-in-laws who both served as Volunteer Firefighters in Saranac Lake. They were influential members of the SLVFD; they were past Chief Preston Burl and past Assistant Chief John Brewster. John Brewster also served as the Mayor of Saranac Lake. The decision to live and raise a family in Saranac Lake was partially driven by Frank’s desire to serve and his family ties to the SLVFD. Frank was elected to membership with the SLVFD on December 6th 1965. Frank was in the decision process to become a volunteer during the 1964 Saint Regis Hotel fire. Frank recalls going to that scene and wanting to help in any way he could. He had been thinking about joining, but, that desire to help on that day sealed the deal. He was going to be a firefighter.

Within his first 2 years of membership Frank took the Essentials of Firefighting course right in Saranac Lake. Frank would later travel around for other classes in and out of state and has a very impressive training resume that includes pump operator, incident command, propane school, and extensive fire police training. He has traveled to the fire academy in Montour Falls. As an interesting note in approximately 1968 prior to New York having a formal EMT program Frank received emergency medical training on the campus of Harvard University. At Harvard Frank took the Advanced Practical Emergency Medical Course hosted by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

Frank served 3 terms as a Lieutenant of fire and several terms as a Lieutenant in the rescue squad. Frank was appointed as a Fire Policeman by his brother-in-law John Brewster. Frank has served for many years and still serves to this day as the Captain of SLVFD’s fire police squad. For approximately the last 10 years Frank has served on the Executive Committee of the SLVFD as a Warden which we now call Director; a title that underwent a name change during Frank’s tenure in that position.

One of Frank’s largest contributions is that he has quietly been serving as one of Saranac Lakes delegates on the Franklin County Fire Advisory board for over 30 years. Frank has traveled the county as a co-delegate with past chiefs Carl Smith, John Bombard, Dick Burman, and Andy McGill. From this vantage point Frank has been able to observe the progression of not only the SLVFD but of the fire service as a whole for over 3 decades.

When asked, what are the biggest changes he has seen in the fire service during his career? He says that in the beginning they had very little gear and very limited use of self contained breathing apparatus. Fire attack was limited, but because of modern turn out gear and SCBA firefighters are able to go further into buildings for a much more aggressive attack, they have to be ready for almost any environment.

When asked, what is your favorite part of being a volunteer firefighter? He very readily cites belonging to a group that is serving the community, he wants to help. He loves the camaraderie and loves being part of something that is important.

I asked Frank, what advice would you give a new member just starting out in the fire service? He said that there are hard times both because of the job and because of politics, etc. He says he has seen people quit over issues that seem small that nobody will even remember over time. He says you have to keep going, even when it’s hard. Your service to the community is too important to quit over the small stuff.

In December, Frank will officially have 50 years of service as a volunteer, a milestone that is recognized by the Fireman’s Association of the State of New York. We are glad the state association puts high emphasis on this achievement. Franks dedication and commitment to the community are in keeping with the highest traditions of the fire service and he is worthy of special recognition by his department, the people of the Saranac Lake area, and the state of New York.

In closing and as a side note, as the writer of this article something dawned on me. As a young child I used to be friends with Frank’s son. We used to play at his house; I did not know Frank other than the fact that he was my friend’s father. What I did know was that Frank was a firefighter because in that house in the early 1970’s was Frank’s “Plectron”. A “Plectron” was a radio receiver used to receive dispatch announcement to the volunteer’s homes. I think Frank’s “Plectron” was the first time as a child that I had ever heard emergency dispatches. A little memory may have in some way influenced my becoming a firefighter many years later.

Stay tuned to our webpage for future "Member Spotlights."

(FYI previous "Member Spotlights" can be viewed by clicking the button on the left "News Archives" select member spotlights from the dropdown and select the year you would like to view.)