Mahopac Girl Scout's Book Boosts Local Fire Department

MAHOPAC, N.Y.—Mahopac Girl Scout Trista Leone is on a mission to help her hometown volunteer fire department, and her recent efforts have earned her a Silver Award, given to Girl Scouts who work to address an issue in the community.

The Mahopac High School freshman developed an interest in the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department through her stepdad John Deagan, a volunteer with the MVFD. Noting that membership is down, Trista decided to write a book about the MVFD to encourage people to join and explain how the department operates.

Her 23-page book, titled “The Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department,” includes chapters on the MVFD’s history, its work in the community (including events like the Candy Cane Run and free use of its facilities for carwash fundraisers), the department’s structure, equipment, how to join, and more.

“I hope to bring more awareness to the fire department and help make the town a safer place knowing that the fire department will have good members that will protect it,” said Trista, who’s a member of Girl Scout Troop 2479. 

Trista said the book took about six months to write, and while it was challenging at times, “doing the research was fun.”

The response by members of MVFD and others in the community made all the effort worthwhile. 

“A lot of people have been impressed about the book and grateful that I created it to help out,” she said.

Copies of “The Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department” are available at the Mahopac Firehouse, as well as at Mahopac Public Library and the libraries at Fulmar Road Elementary School and Mahopac High School.