AN EARLY VISIT — Several youths greeted Santa and Mrs. Claus as they made their way along Virginia Avenue and other Follansbee streets Tuesday morning, delivering treat bags with the help of the Follansbee Fire Department. It’s a long-time Christmas tradition for the city’s volunteer firefighters. -- Warren Scott

Most of the year, Brooke County residents look for them in times of need — when their car has crashed into a utility pole, a tree has fallen across a road or of course, when their home is on fire.

But once a year, firefighters in Follansbee and the Wellsburg areas also help to carry on local traditions that many look forward to each Christmas.

Members of the Franklin Community Fire Department, located on Washington Pike, again were out on Christmas Eve, placing and lighting more than 1,000 luminaria along Wellsburg streets.

Longtime residents know they will find the bagged, lighted candles along state Route 2 from 12th Street to 27th Street and the Wellsburg Town Square and outside the city’s churches.

Members of the fire department turn out in the morning to set them down and return at dusk to light them, often aided by family members and other volunteers.

LIGHTING UP THE TOWN — Terry Stuck and other members of the Franklin Community and Wellsburg fire departments and other volunteers placed more than 1,000 luminaria along the Wellsburg Town Square and Commerce Street (state Route 2) and outside local churches on Wednesday morning, returning at dusk to light them. It’s a Christmas tradition the firefighters have carried on in memory of Ron Ostrosky, a firefighter who had organized the luminaria as a member of the Wellsburg Kiwanis Club. -- Warren Scott

“We usually receive help igniting them from local high school clubs, members of the Wellsburg Volunteer Fire Department and several local community members who come out to help,” said Franklin Community Fire Chief Gerald McClain.

He noted the department became involved following the death in 2014 of Ron Ostrosky, an active member of the department, who died of cancer at the age of 62.

Ostrosky also had been active in the Wellsburg Kiwanis Club, which had originated the tradition.

“The tradition continues because of the love we have for our community and the hope it brings every year. Ron led the way for so many years. It is only fitting that we carry it on in his memory,” said McClain.

He noted businesses in Wellsburg and Follansbee have contributed toward the effort.

While the department sells the luminaria to the city of Follansbee, which will be displaying about 300 of them along Route 2 there, and others, it has never been a money-maker for any of the groups that spearheaded them.

Proceeds from the sales have only helped to defray the cost for the candles, bags and other materials used for them.

Just north of Wellsburg, members of the Follansbee Fire Department aided Santa and Mrs. Claus in distributing small treat bags to children throughout the city.

Riding in the department’s utility terrain vehicle, the Clauses were accompanied by two fire trucks as they made their way along city streets from Main Street to the city’s south end to Highland Hills at its north end.

John Casinelli, a longtime member of the fire department, said it’s been a years-long tradition for Santa’s treat bags to include an apple, orange and candy cane as well as other snacks.

Casinelli added whenever Santa is able to take time from his busy Christmas Eve schedule, he’s been treated to a lunch provided by the local McDonald’s franchise or a plate of pasta fagioli prepared by firefighter Paul DiGiacinto before he returns to the North Pole.