To the Editor:

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to the men and women of the Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department who responded to my home in the Village of Potsdam in early December after I reported a strong electrical burning odor in my home.

The ladder truck and a fully equipped team of fire professionals in full dress responded within six minutes of my call to 911.

Not only were they courteous, professional, and more than capable, they even took the time to show my three-year old son their truck after they pinpointed the source of the odor (two smoldering light bulbs concealed behind a bathroom vanity).

At the risk of sounding boastful, I was a professional street and flight paramedic in the Hudson Valley/MetroNYC area many years ago. I know from long personal experience that a six-minute response time and the professionalism of the response I witnessed can be the exception, not the rule (especially from rural volunteer forces).

Thanks also to the 911 dispatcher who calmly and confidently handled my call while speaking with three other units. That dispatcher was the real deal.

Ben Johns and family

Potsdam