TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. – The Sheridan Park Volunteer Fire Company and Erie County Emergency services are mourning the loss of an irreplaceable colleague and friend.
Randy Rider, a two-term fire chief at Sheridan Park and an Erie County certified fire instructor, passed away suddenly Tuesday night, leaving behind a wife, children, and a legacy of training Western New York firefighters to be safe.
"His passion was to make sure everyone went home safe,” said Tom Partridge, a New York State fire instructor and Rider’s close friend.
A fourth generation firefighter, Rider had a big footprint, both literally and figuratively and in the firefighting community.
"If you ever saw Randy he was a big man, but a gentle man. He always had a way with people that was unbelievable, and he had a passion for the fire service and for training,” Partridge said.
Rider’s passing has stunned the Sheridan Park Volunteer Fire Company, where both his father and brother are still active members.
Not only did he serve Tonawanda, but also all of Erie County as a county fire instructor.
"Because of his dedication, because of his love for the fire service...thousands of firefighters are better off today, safer today, and better prepared today because of the efforts of Randy Rider,” said Daniel Neaverth, Jr., the Erie County Commissioner of Emergency Services.
Rider attended training throughout the state and was even supposed to leave for a national conference this Sunday, all for the sake of bringing the best safety and life-saving techniques back home.
"To continue what he...his passion to learn more, and bring back more to the fire service, and represent Sheridan Park and the excellence they have here,” Partridge said.
Service brothers and sisters say he inspired retention and recruitment, both very important for an industry in need of more firefighters.
Among those recruits is one of Rider’s sons, who is training to be the family’s fifth generation firefighter.
"Randy loves his family and the fire service. He'll be truly missed by everybody,” Partridge said.
Rider had also just finished a term as president of the Erie County Fire Chiefs Association.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the Rider Family. If you'd like to donate, you can do so here: https://www.gofundme.com/rider-family