OCC Helps Give Onondaga Hill Fire Department New Logo

When the Onondaga Hill Fire Department holds its annual banquet Saturday night, they'll have a new logo to show off thanks to Onondaga Community College's Art Faculty and Students. College representatives brought the new logo to the Onondaga Hill Fire Station on Velasko Road earlier this week.

The logo came from a volunteer firefighter at Onondaga Hill Fire Department (OHFD). OCC Art Professor Meredith Cantor presented the logo to two of her Drawing I courses as a way to introduce the concept of working with a client. Students discussed thoughtful edits that would enhance the effectiveness of the logo. Professor Cantor took their suggestions and created the final look.

OHFD was established in 1920 to provide the Town of Onondaga and surrounding communities with better fire protection. In the century since its formation the organization has grown to also provide citizens with rescue, hazardous materials response, and emergency medical services.

When the call goes out for assistance on the OCC campus, OHFD is the first responder. OCC and OHFD have an outstanding relationship, which includes the College's Fire Protection Technology degree major and the bunk-in program. Students have the opportunity to live at the fire station free of charge while participating in drills, training, and responding to emergency calls. Students gain real-world experience while simultaneously assisting the fire department.

Onondaga Community College's Fire Protection Technology degree program was recently awarded reaccreditation by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC). This prestigious and exclusive designation provides students the opportunity to be internationally certified as firefighters, fire officers, or fire service instructors. IFSAC awards this accreditation to only one institution in each of the 50 states. In all of New York State, OCC is the sole institution with this designation.