
<p>For retired correctional officer Pete Buehler, community is the most important thing. Buehler spends his time giving back to his hometown, volunteering as a crossing guard at a local school and as the fire chief at the Skaneateles Volunteer Fire Department.</p>


Pete Buehler moves Engine 11 to make room for the department’s rescue boat as it is coming in for the season. Photo by Kelsey Quinn Leary.

Mike Roy

Michelle McLoughlin

Protective fire gear hangs in the Skaneateles Volunteer Fire Department. Without set shifts, this room typically stays quiet until an emergency call comes through, often in the early hours of the morning. Photo by Kelsey Quinn Leary.

Buehler changes filters in one of the fire engines. With one of their members having been diagnosed with cancer, he and the other firefighters are taking extra precautions to keep everyone safe. Photo by Kelsey Quinn Leary.

Pete Buehler offers his advice during a rapid intervention training session. Monday night trainings are routine at the Skaneateles Volunteer Fire Department and provide volunteers with updated and necessary information needed to help their community. Buehler says, “It’s a good feeling … that you can help somebody because they are calling you during a dire situation. It’s kind of a relief when they see you walk through the door, that they can put a name to the face.” Photo by Kelsey Quinn Leary.

The Skaneateles Volunteer Fire Department gets an average of 370 calls per year, although they have already hit 400 in 2025. Photo by Kelsey Quinn Leary.

Pete Buehler helps local children on their way to school while volunteering as a crossing guard at State Street Elementary School. Photo by Kelsey Quinn Leary.

Buehler watches other members of the department work to clean the rescue boat after pulling it out of the lake for the season. Photo by Kelsey Quinn Leary.

Pete Buehler helps clean the rescue boat with other members of the Skaneateles Volunteer Fire Department. As Chief, Pete attends as many department activities as he can. Photo by Kelsey Quinn Leary.

Buehler oversees his fellow volunteer firefighters as they pull the rescue boat out of the lake for the season. The department sees around 24 lake emergency calls in a typical year, so having equipment like this helps to keep the community safe. Photo by Kelsey Quinn Leary.

Pete Buehler and his wife, Martha, catch up after the day on their porch. Photo by Kelsey Quinn Leary.

The Alexia Fall Workshop

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A FAMILIAR FACE

Produced by

Kelsey Quinn Leary

Coached by

Mike Roy

Michelle McLoughlin