2025 Balloonmeister and Pilot Tony Saxton gave a detailed briefing at the Wellsville Fire Department
By Andrew Harris
The 2024 Great Wellsville Balloon Rally went on in spectacular fashion. The weather was fair, lots of great balloons came to town, and thousands of people descended on Wellsville’s gem, Island Park. It was a great weekend but it was a learning experience for Tony Saxton and Dawn Chase. The dynamic duo are both veteran pilots with Endless Mountain Balloons.
Traveling down the Genesee River is one of the quintessential flights of the rally, with balloons often even “dipping” into the river. As Tony was slowly flying his “Rachel’s Dream” near the Riverwalk Plaza an unexpected gust of wind pushed the balloon into a light pole. It was the first time in decades of flying that Tony had faced such an incident and his first concern was for the safety of the passengers and crew.
The Emerald Hook and Ladder responded, and the entire incident ended without any injury.
For the 2025 Great Wellsville Balloon Rally, Tony gathered chiefs, former chiefs, department leaders, and first line responders to the Wellsville Fire Department to reinforce lessons learned and provide some additional insight. Saxton served 18 years as Chief of his native Fleetville Pennsylvania, with unique insight into both balloon crew and emergency response.
The presentation focused on the two main concerns whenever a hot air balloon gets into trouble: Propane and electric power lines.
Tony made the propane part of the discussion pretty straightforward with a funny approach: Size matters. Not all balloons carry the same amount of propane and the equation is simple, the bigger the balloon the more propane on board. Rescue teams need to make that calculation when they respond, and they need to know how the propane tanks operate.
Those in attendance got a crash course on the mechanisms of the tanks, how to shut them off, and how to react to a fire. While all tanks have an emergency shut off valve, situations could arise where a first responder needs to turn off a tank. Saxton provided up-to-date diagrams of the tank mechanism.
Discussion on filling the tanks safely continued and Tony reminded everyone of a little know Great Wellsville Balloon Rally fact: Shorts Oil and Propane donates all the propane needed for all balloons each year!! This longstanding generosity has been key to keeping this event alive and attractive to balloon teams.
Most eye-opening for a normal civilian like me, was the danger of electrocution should a balloon land into power lines. Not unlike vehicle accidents involving downed electric power lines, balloon crews, passengers, and rescue personnel are at high risk without proper knowledge.
Saxton’s presentation harkened back to the accident of 2024 at the Riverwalk Plaza. With a potential electrical threat from the light pole, he called 911 immediately. Crews worked immediately to ensure that the pole wasn’t energized before proceeding to evacuate the balloon. Nearly the entire balloon is conductive and could electrocute anyone involved with just one wrong touch or step.
Should a balloon(or a vehicle) have a mishap with any energized line or fixture, key steps must be taken:
1- Call 911. Tell the dispatcher that electric lines are in play and the location.
2- Do not exit the balloon, or vehicle, until emergency crews can confirm the line has been de-energized.
3- Should exit be unavoidable, this five minute public service video is well worth your time and could save your life:
Tony and his crew had a “less than ideal” landing in 2024 and they are grateful it turned out with just minimal damage to the balloon. But they are not taking for granted that the next time, the situation could be more dangerous. Whether it is the Great Wellsville Balloon Rally or a rally in New Mexico, Saxton wants to prevent tragedy with education and preparation.
After today Wellsville first responders are more prepared than ever before should the unexpected happen at the Great Wellsville Balloon Rally, thanks to Endless Mountain Hot Air Balloons.
WFD Chief Greg Day was thankful to Saxton and the crew:
“We appreciate Tony taking the time to give us all a refresher and reminder before this years rally started. While we have a history of safe rallies, our job is to be prepared for the worst and this sure helped us be as ready as possible.”
Read about last years events at the Riverwalk:
