For half a century, Frank Hudaszek has been a steadfast protector of the community, responding to thousands of emergencies and completing countless hours of training. His enduring commitment is a testament to a life spent safeguarding others, and he continues this mission today as an active member of the Bushnell’s Basin Fire Association. In recognition of this remarkable legacy of service, Supervisor Townsend issued a formal proclamation designating March 3, 2026, as Frank “Huda” Hudaszek Day throughout the Town of Perinton.
Early Years and Active Duty
Frank started his fire service career in 1976—a memorable year marked by the U.S. Bicentennial, the founding of Apple, and the first commercial Concorde flight. As with any new endeavor, he began as a firefighter learning the ropes and responding to calls.
One of his first calls offers an interesting glimpse into the realities of volunteer fire service. While the call lasted less than 20 minutes according to the report, Frank first had to respond to the station, gear up, and ride the apparatus to the scene. Afterward, equipment had to be stowed and reports completed, followed by the camaraderie that has always been an important part of volunteer fire service. Many calls lack high excitement but still require action—33 members responded as a team, including officers, drivers, firefighters, and fire police.
Points
Bushnell’s Basin is a nonprofit association that manages its own resources. Firefighters vote and hold leadership positions such as President and Treasurer. The organization is democratically governed, with members electing officers and taking an active role in its leadership. Membership requires true commitment, with participation measured through attendance, training, and service.
Below is a record of Frank’s first year of service, measured in “points”—a system reflecting participation in calls, training, meetings, and other department activities. Frank’s total of 140 points placed him firmly in the “very active” category.
Dedication
The fire service has always required careful recordkeeping, although the tools used to maintain those records have changed dramatically over the years. The administrative software used today records Frank’s service spanning 18,407 days, along with 3,544 documented hours of department activity.
Why track this level of detail? Accurate records document participation, training, and service while helping the department meet New York State and insurance requirements. Frank’s records from 1977 already demonstrate the steady commitment that would define his decades of service.
Within two years of joining, Frank took on the role of Treasurer (1978–1982). He later served as Vice President (1984) and President (1985–1987). The executive committee—the board—serves as the public face of the fire association, and its members devote countless additional hours to charting the direction of the organization.
Board minutes from 1978 offer a glimpse into the issues they tackled: the Treasurer worked to balance the budget, the one-lane Marsh Road was a hot topic, and the proposal for Station 2 on Garnsey Road was a massive upcoming project. Frank played an important role in these early initiatives.
Treasurer
Frank ultimately served as department Treasurer for 31 years. Remarkably, this was an entirely unpaid position, carried out during a period of substantial growth for both the community and the department. For context, the department’s 2021 budget was just under $1 million.
During his tenure, Frank managed a bond for the Kreag Road fire station, secured short-term financing for apparatus, and led negotiations with the Town of Perinton. He also oversaw the department’s annual audit—a significant and time-consuming responsibility—while maintaining cash reserves and planning for major capital purchases.
The 1985 financial statement was prepared entirely by hand, before computerized accounting became commonplace. The contrast between the 1985 budget of $250,000 and the 2026 budget of $1.3 million illustrates the tremendous growth Frank helped the organization navigate.
A Legacy of Service
Fifty years after answering his first call, Frank Hudaszek remains an active member of the Bushnell’s Basin Fire Association. His service has extended far beyond emergency responses—from leadership and financial stewardship to the countless everyday contributions that have helped shape the organization.
