GREENFIELD — Cheery holiday lights shine through the darkness of the year’s longest nights, brightening the town’s firehouse on Main Street, and winning the department the pick of best display among Western Mass. fire stations by Fireground360, a local public safety community organization.
At the end of the competition earlier this week, judged by public vote, Greenfield Fire Department’s display had tallied 1,327 votes. The second place display, created by Easthampton Fire Department, received 1,298 votes.
“Every member of the department pitches in at some level, and they take pride in what they do,” said Fire Chief Robert Strahan about the department’s annual holiday decorating tradition. “It’s really been something the firefighters have taken upon themselves for the last 20 years.”
Strahan noted the fire department also won Fireground360’s competition last year. The contest started in 2010.
Because the firefighters work 24-hour shifts, Strahan said life in the firehouse “is a family atmosphere,” and the decorations are an extension of that.
“It’s always been something that the community can take pride in — seeing the firehouse decorated,” he said. “And the firefighters want to have it as something the whole community can enjoy.”
Dating back at least 30 years, Strahan said, “the fire department has historically decorated the firehouse each year.” He noted that no department funds get used.
Strahan said firefighters used to put up a “season’s greetings” sign each holiday season. Over the years, however, it deteriorated and had to be removed. This year, Strahan said firefighters rebuilt and put the sign back in its prominent place on the front of the building — an addition that contributed to the display’s competition success.
“Not only is it bragging rights, but we also get a small donation to the charity of our choosing — and so $200, a gift for winning, is being donated to Make a Wish Foundation,” Strahan added.
Other fire departments in Franklin County that entered the competition included Erving, Sunderland and Turners Falls.
You can reach Andy Castillo
at: acastillo@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 263
On Twitter: @AndyCCastillo