Andover Related Articles

IN MEMORY OF MEL MICKLE

Above photo of Mel taken just before her retirement in 1989.

MELBA MICKLE MRS. KED -620

Submitted by William A. Greene  2006 

       For a number of years, the Allegany County fire radio was kept in the Sheriff’s office in Belmont, and then in a private individuals home also in Belmont.  Sometime during the year of 1963, the Allegany County fire radio was moved from Belmont to the George Mickle’s house in Andover.  There it remained for 26 years. 

       After George’s death in June of 1969, his wife Melba became the back bone of the fire system for the next 19 years.  She never missed a call.  Sometimes going days and nights without sleep to make sure every piece of fire equipment and fire personnel were where they were supposed to be and were safely back at home when the fire was over.  This was also true for all of the rescue squads in the in the county except for Wellsville as they had there own rescue dispatch. She also dispatched the Andover Police Department full time.

       No one will ever know how much property or how many lives were saved because of her unthankful vigil at the base station (KED-620). She was always there day or night, there was no time off, Mel was always there to answer the call.  When she did take time off the person that baby sat the radio was paid by Mel.

       In 1988 Mel retired and the radio was moved back to Belmont, into the county court house.  Her voice was greatly missed.

       On November 12, 1997, Mel Mickle passed away.  It was a sad time for all of the Allegany County fire service and area rescue squads.  At her funeral 24 Allegany County Fire Departments, 2 Pennsylvania Fire Departments sent fire trucks, rescue trucks and ambulances to her funeral.  State Police, Allegany County Sheriff’s Department and Village Police Departments sent patrol cars also. Two fire departments that couldn’t make it called to apologize for there not being there.

       When Mel retired, her expertise was lost forever.  We all loved her and we all miss her. 

(Following article from Wellsville Daily Reporter; unknown date of publication)

"A beacon of light goes out in Andover"

Community recalls the extraordinary services of Melba Mickle

by Heather Harrington

ANDOVER-- She was a beacon of light in the middle of the night.  Not only did everyone in Andover know her name, many throughout the county did as well.

Her voice could not be mistaken for any other over the airwaves, and rarely was.

Melba "Mel" Mickle, more popularly known in Andover and throughout Allegany County as "KED-620", was a dedicated and prominent figure in Andover and the county.

Mrs. Mickle, who died Wednesday, was the voice of Allegany County Fire Control, dispatching emergency personnel where help was needed for more than 20 years.  Starting in 1963 she and her husband, George, operated both the Andover Police and the fire radios.  He died in 1969.  KED-620 continued toning out fire departments, rescue squads and ambulance crews to calls from her home until she retired in 1989.

Past President of the Andover Fireman's Auxiliary, past President of the Allegany County Fireman's Auxiliary, officer of the Southwestern Auxiliary, honorary member of the Allegany County Fireman's Association, member of the New York State Fire Coordinators Association and the New York State Fire Chiefs Association, Mrs. Mickle was a large part of the fire services in Andover and the county.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Mickle will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Andover Blessed Sacrament Church.

Those who knew her described her as a dedicated, loyal friend who was dependable and hardworking.

"I hope people will remember her for her dedication to the fire service," said William Greene, a 23-year member of the Andover Fire Department.  "She was always there at the radio and I'm sure there were days she went without sleeping."

Day and night Mel tended the radio.  Dave Wallace, also part of the Andover Fire Department, said the only time she left the radio was for several hours on Sundays when she attended church, went shopping and visited family.

But then she'd be right back at the helm, ready to assist with any emergency.

She put in more hours than people will ever know, according to Greene.  She dispatched crews and wouldn't rest until every last group called back in service.

"She was always there and you just don't find people as dedicated as much these days", Greene said.

She was very particular about radio etiquette too, said George Givens, current Andover Fire Chief.  Things were to be done a certain way, and people did it.

Greene said he could remember saying "Okey-dokey" over the airwaves once.  Later he was given a citation by Mel for it.

"Everybody knew her....she was polite, dedicated and always ready to lend a hand," Greene said.

Dedication and loyalty are two words that truly describe Mel, said Karen Peterson, her friend and next-door neighbor for about 25 years.  She was a "great friend, not only to me, but to everyone.  Her door was always open.," Peterson said.

The two shared many dinners, many cups of coffee and lots of laughs over the years.

"She cared about the well-being of people and did the best she could to get the services to people who needed them," Peterson said.

Instrumental in bringing the Fourth of July celebration to Andover, Mel worked as part of many committees to make the Fourth of July a special day.

"She was very patriotic," Peterson pointed out.

Born in Troy, N.Y., Mrs. Mickle moved to Andover in 1937 and lived the remainder of her 82 years in the community.

Service arrangements are under the Mulholland-Swan Funeral Home in Andover.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 tonight at the Andover Fire Hall, where Andover firemen will hold a special service at 7 p.m.  At 8 p.m., the Allegany County Fireman's Association service will begin.  Funeral prayers will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Andover Fire Hall prior to the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at the Blessed Sacrament church.  Father Gene Ulrich of St. Brendans Church, Almond officiating.  Burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Andover.