YOUNGSVILLE, NY — There’s nothing like a facelift to spruce up a local fire house.

With that in mind, students from the Sullivan BOCES Construction Technology Education (CTE) program have recently undertaken several projects at local volunteer fire company stationhouses, including Liberty, Swan Lake, White Lake and most recently Youngsville.

Under the guiding hand of former union carpenter Daryl Emmett—he is now the teacher for the local BOCES Construction Technology course—students have built turnout lockers at While Lake and Liberty, completed renovations and constructed a BBQ pit at Swan Lake.

On Thursday, November 21, the students wrapped up an extensive project at the Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department firehouse (Station 40). The project included extensive stonework on the front of the building, installing windows, renewing siding, roofing and painting.

According to Emmett, the Versetta stone used on the front of the firehouse is composed of mortarless stone veneer panels, and was supplied by Fallsburg Lumber at a reduced cost to the local fire department. 

Now in his fourth year as the CTE program’s teacher, Emmett graduated from Delaware Valley High School and attended the same CTE program that he now heads.

Prior to becoming a CTE instructor, he was a carpenter foreman with Carpenter’s Union 279 for 25 years, and according to his online bio with the local BOCES, has an OSHA 30 certification, “as well as numerous leadership and training awards.”

About six months ago, Emmett, the former chief of the Hortonville Volunteer Fire Department, joined the Youngsville VFD.

Asked about his take on the importance of local volunteer fire departments, and how the BOCES students assisted with the construction projects, Emmett replied, “They are significant, especially this year with all the wildfires we’re having… Having the kids do the work frees up the members to be available for calls,” he added. “There’s no way the members could come in on a Saturday, and do this themselves… it’s been a very busy year for us!”

As to what the Sullivan BOCES CTE students gain from the training, Emmett responded, “It gives the kids a sense of self-worth and accomplishment, and they can take pride in a community project.” 

He noted that this year, 33 students signed up for the CTE program, preparing for the workforce. Four students are currently serving internships with private contractors, and since they completed the course, “Sixteen kids have been placed in the carpenter’s union.”

Brendon Benbow is a 17-year-old CTE student from Monticello High School. He was elected by his peers to serve as class foreman of the Youngsville VFD project.

He explained that being selected as class foreman was based upon “attitude, work ethic and how you do in class.”

It’s giving back to the community,” he said. “We learn a lot of different skills in a lot of building projects, and now it’s a better-looking firehouse.”