December 2023: Volume 24 - Issue 3 - - Fire Department's Popcorn Ball Day

In October 1938, Fire Chief Harry Borley and Commissioner John Werthessen held the first community fire prevention observance. The event morphed into an annual event that lasted 11 years. The fire department’s Fire Prevention Open House festivities were changed in 1961 under Chief Walter Werthessen. The attendance and awareness during the department's observance in October dropped off severely, prompting fire officials to establish a plan to heighten the forgotten observance. In 1965, the fire department brought up the idea of moving the annual Open House festivities from the month of October to December. It would be in conjunction with the holiday season.

The annual Open House would occur on the first Sunday of December, including fire prevention demonstrations.  With their parents in tow, the children walked through the fire station. Once upstairs,  the children visited displays and were allowed to see Santa Claus and receive toys and trinkets, with informational messages about fire prevention on each item. Over the years, our members, Bill Biggs, Joe Giardina, Joe DiFronzo, Harry Single, Shane Stevens, and many more, have helped in the event as a “Stand In Santa.”

The promotional idea to heighten awareness of the fire department's Annual Open House would include each of the eight fire companies on the last Sunday in November to board their apparatus with Santa Claus and distribute popcorn balls to waiting children in the community. The advent of “Popcorn Ball Day” took its roots and has continued for 53 years in rain, snow, sleet, or shine.

In 1987, there was a change in tradition, from popcorn balls to lollipops. While it was a good try, the distribution of lollipops thrown from fire trucks by firefighters had problems. The wind would stop the lollipops from hitting their targets.  The lollipops would hit the ground and the candy would crack. That idea was never tried again.

In 1990, the Annual Popcorn Ball Day had an incident with fire officials pondering this annual event's future. Firefighters, as usual, distributed popcorn balls on the Sunday before Open House.  Later that evening, reports were coming into Fire Headquarters that the possibility of glass-tainted popcorn may have been distributed. State and local agencies investigating these reports found what appeared to be glass fragments in one of 12,000 popcorn balls. The police investigated the incident, including working with the distributor of the popcorn. Thankfully, no one was hurt. 

1981 Members of Emergency Company 5 1981 Members of Emergency Company 5: George Howard, Frank Sala, Jim McLaughlin, John Keyer, Charley Hearon, Steve Urso, Jim Nicollet, Joe Russo, Robbie Warren and Pete McLoughlin. Jerry Nolan is standing on the truck, and Santa’s helper is Karl Schweitzer.
As mentioned, this has become a holiday tradition. On the last Sunday morning in November, the phones will ring off the hook, asking when and where Santa is within the community. I have had the opportunity and privilege to be a helping Santa “Stand In” while on Unit 935 for over 40 years.