Wellsville Fire Department swears in new firefighter
William (Will) Allison Jr., 20, is Wellsville Fire Department’s newest and youngest firefighter. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)
Heather Allison, the mother of Wellsville Firefighter William (Will) Allison Jr., gives her son a congratulatory hug after pinning his badge on him following his swearing in as a firefighter. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)
Wellsville Firefighter Cody Cole and Wellsville Volunteer Fire Chief Jarrod Grimm watch as Mayor Bob Boley administers the oath to new firefighter William (Will) Allison Jr, as his mother Heather holds the Bible. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)
William (Will) Allison Jr., 20, is Wellsville Fire Department’s newest and youngest firefighter. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)
Heather Allison, the mother of Wellsville Firefighter William (Will) Allison Jr., gives her son a congratulatory hug after pinning his badge on him following his swearing in as a firefighter. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)
Wellsville Firefighter Cody Cole and Wellsville Volunteer Fire Chief Jarrod Grimm watch as Mayor Bob Boley administers the oath to new firefighter William (Will) Allison Jr, as his mother Heather holds the Bible. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)
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WELLSVILLE --For Wellsville's newest and youngest firefighter William (Will) Allison Jr., 20, his swearing in was a childhood dream come true.
For the Wellsville Fire Department, Allison's hiring means the department is now fully-staffed, which is something Chief Barry Podwel has been working toward for some time.
"This is very important to our fire department," Podwel said of Allison's hiring.
Getting the department to full staff and city staffing status even though Wellsville is a village was a goal Podwell carried since becoming chief in 2016.
"I think he is going to do tremendous," Podwel said of Allison. "I have heard all good words about him, and I think he will work really good in here."
Allison who has enjoyed trucks especially firetrucks which he would chase after as a child, was sworn in by Mayor Bob Boley while his mother held the Bible during the administration of the oath Tuesday night at the fire station with family, friends, council members and Lt. Marsha Eisenhart from the police department in attendance.
Allison's mother, Heather, had the honor of pining his badge on him after he took the oath.
Podwel, Firefighter Cody Cole and Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jarrod Grimm took part in the swearing-in ceremony.
Allison recalled how as a child he would spend days taking photos, videos of firetrucks and sitting on his bike in front of the Toronto Fire Department waiting for that department to get a call. He would often jump on his bike and head to the scene of a fire. It was at the Toronto Fire Station where his journey to becoming a firefighter would begin as they accepted him hanging around the station. He remembers one day at about the age of 12, finally knocking on the door to their station and being invited for a tour. The firefighters there told him he was welcome to come anytime. He knew then firefighting is what he was destined to do.
At the age of 16, Allison became a junior firefighter with the Knoxville Fire Department where he received training and encouragement to follow his dream.
When he was 18 -- the legal age one can become a firefighter -- Allison immediately began all the required training and received his fire card and required certifications before he was 19.
So Allison, who still serves as a volunteer for the Toronto Fire Department, is now a full-time firefighter for the Wellsville Fire Department.
"I'm ready to learn with the guys and help out the community, that's the main reason I'm here," Allison said. "It's not about the money, it's all about helping the community."
"He has been chasing this dream since he was 10," Heather said.
For Heather, who said she has supported him and watched him grow, seeing this happen means everything in the world and she could not be prouder of him.