When 35 year veteran Michael Lozipone walked out of the Potsdam Firehouse doors for the last time on May 30, 2016 as a paid fire driver, many Potsdam firefighters were not only sad to see Lozi retire but they were happy for him to be able to spend more time with his family and doing what he loves, hunting, fishing and skiing.

The three remaining fire drivers worked countless overtime shifts to cover the vacant spot until the Village of Potsdam officials could make a decision on who would best fit the shoes that Lozi left behind. What better fit then a man who had been volunteering at the Potsdam Fire Department for the last 12 years and watched Lozi’s great work ethic for the last 20 years.

The members of the Potsdam Fire Department would like our community to meet the newest Paid Fire Driver at the Potsdam Fire Department, Jerry (Buddy) Robar.

Mr. Robar is no stranger to the fire service. Mr. Robar joined the Potsdam Fire Department in December 2004, while still in high school at the age of 17. Buddy is a second generation firefighter with the Potsdam Fire Department. He is the son of Past Chief Robert Robar. Buddy grew up watching his father do what he loved, being a firefighter. At a very young age Buddy knew that he wanted to be just like his dad. There weren’t too many fire calls that you wouldn’t see buddy in his father’s truck or see his mother Betsy driving him to a scene so he could watch from a distance.

After high school graduation in 2005, Buddy jumped right into the work force and began taking civil service tests. Buddy landed a job at the Massena Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2008, Buddy left the Massena Police Department when he was offered a dispatching position at the Potsdam Police Department. Buddy spent the next eight years being a loyal dispatcher for the Potsdam Police Department. Buddy was happy with his job at the police department but his lifelong dream was to be a paid driver for the Potsdam Fire Department. Buddy made sure to take the paid driver civil service test whenever it was offered so that his name would be on the list if a spot ever opened up! Buddy’s dream finally came true on June 20th.

Although Buddy had to step down from being a volunteer with the Potsdam Fire Department when he was offered the job, he still earned his title as an honor roll firefighter with the department. Buddy says the hardest thing he had to get used to from being a volunteer firefighter to now as a paid driver with the department, was that he did not have to respond to every fire call when he heard the fire whistle go off from his house and that he could not come and go from the firehouse like he once could. When Buddy is on duty he is stuck at the firehouse unless there is a fire call.

The members of the Potsdam Fire Department would once again like to welcome Buddy Robar as our newest Paid Fire Driver!!