Fredonia's Dan Aldrich Named County Fire Service Firefighter of the Year
10/11/2026 11:20:12 AM
By Greg Larson, News Director
A member of the Fredonia Fire Department has been named the Chautauqua County Fire Service's Firefighter of the Year. On Saturday, Captain Dan Aldrich received a commendation at the Fredonia Fire Hall in recognition of the actions he took during an ice rescue operation in the Town of Portland. County Fire Advisory Board Awards Chair Marsha Holland, who presented the award, says Aldrich responded from his residence to an incident involving two individuals who fell through a frozen pond at an address on Route 5 on February 28th...
Marsha Holland: initiated rescue operation
One of the two individuals was able to get out of the water before first responders arrived. Holland says coordinated efforts by Aldrich, who is part of the Chautauqua County Water Emergency Team, allowed responding firefighters to pull out the victim who was still in the water...
Marsha Holland: exemplified best qualities of fire service
County Emergency Services Director Noel Guttman nominated Aldrich for the award.
Pictured, from left to right: Fredonia Fire Chief Joshua Myers, Fredonia Fire Captain Dan Aldrich, Chautauqua County Fire Advisory Board Awards Chair Marsha Holland. Photo by Greg Larson