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JEFFREY ARN0LD/@FIREPH0T025
BUFFALO, NY - On Saturday, Septem ber 20th around 2:20 p.m., B uffalo fire fig h te rs responded to a s tru c tu re fire at 2439 Delaware Avenue. U nits arrived on scene and fo u n d heavy sm oke and fire co n d itio n s in a large th re e -s to ry apartm ent building .
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December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
N0RTHP0LE FIRE COMPANY
SHARON E. SIEGEL
1851 farmhouse saved by Huguenot Fire Company and assisting mutual aid responders.
H istoric Farmhouse Saved by Huguenot Fire Company and M utual Aid Departments
NORTHPOLE FIRE COMPANY
Fire Crews Work Two Hours to Save Dog from Deep Crevice in Northpole NORTHPOLE, NY - On Saturday, September 20th, the Northpole Fire Department was requested to assist the Glen Park Fire Department w ith a dog trapped in a rock crevice. Crews arrived to fin d the animal wedged horizo n tally about halfway down an 8-foot-deep crevice only 12-inches wide. Firefighters from Northpole and Glen Park worked fo r over an hour before requesting the Watertown Fire Department fo r additional manpower.
TOWN OF DEERPARK, NY - Fluguenot Fire Company re sponded to what became a second alarm call in their district due to the size, age, and his toric nature of the structure. Located at 85 Neversink Drive, Town of Deerpark, multiple companies assisted on scene or on standby for the twostory blaze early morning, Sep tember 11th. The fire extended into both stories of the home and the attic, which was under reno vation and unoccupied at the time. The circa 1851 former farm house is located near the entrance to The Lynx at River Bend Golf Club, known previously as the Port Jervis Country Club for nearly a century. The house is part of a series of historic struc tures situated on the former farm’s expansive acres of land. At one time a veterinary hospital was also operated by the late Dr. Frank Simpson on the land, and Dr. Simpson lived in the home. Fluguenot Fire Company Chief T. J. Kalin said the call came in as an automatic alarm. The chief credited all involved fire units for a great job in help ing to contain and extinguish the blaze. Departments assisting were Fluguenot, Cuddebackville, Greenville, Westfall, Sparrowbush, Matamoras, Westbrookville. Port Jervis, Otisville, Montague, and Flowells. - SHARON SIEGEL
WESTBROOKVILLE ASST. FIRE CHIEF BILL LATTIMER
IST Responder Newspaper - NY
December, 2025
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December, 2025
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CORPORATE INFORMATION 1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - New York edition - Vol. 26 No. 12 - is published monthly, 12 times a year for $48 per year by Belsito Communications, Inc., 1 Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY 12553. Pe riodicals Postage Paid at Newburgh, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to 1st Responder News, 1 Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY 12553. No financial responsibility is assumed by mm/L^sLjammUU U ( i M this newspaper communications, me. to publish a display, classified, or legal ad or for typographical errors except o f reprinting that part o f the ad which was omit ted or in error. Omissions or errors must be brought to the attention o f the newspaper during the same month of publication. Printed in Canada.
I became an EMT back in the mid 1980’s (yes, a dinosaur!). I will never know if it was a New York State rule, or just our class instructor - but one of the things our class was told was that a 2person crew HAD to be able to lift a 250-pound patient without help. This was long before power lift devices on the stretcher or ambulance; it did not have to be equal lifting, but between the two, we had to be able to lift that weight. It was not until several years later that I first learned about “lift-assists” when we could call another crew, local po lice, or firefighters. Through the years I saw some corps acquire self-rising stretch ers that helped in loading pa tients, and other assists that saved an EMT’s back. The volley corps that I rode with for three decades was never able to make that in vestment. And no joking, some times I swear that my back still feels it! Getting hurt on duty was, thankfully a rarity, but it did hap pen - and still does. Lifting, car rying bags, trudging through all kinds of weather, and even riding the back of a rig as it maneuvers through busy traffic, there are many opportunities for aches and pains, or worse. In all the United States, OSHA reports that EMS providers receive about four times as many injuries as other occupations. While many of those injuries are mostly sprains and strains, there are serious injuries in the thousands and more than ten service-related deaths each year. Earlier in 2025, a NYS EMS Workforce Report cited “systemic underfunding and a shortage of EMS professionals, which con
tribute to unsustainable working conditions”. Shortfalls and height ened risk of injuries were also noted during under-trained EMS responses to emergency scenes in cluding Driver Training, lack of proper stocking of equipment, and not adhering to recommended safety protocols while treating pa tients including improper use of PPE. In addition to physical in juries, it was observed that EMS providers often suffer mental de pression, sometimes to the extent of suicidal contemplation, and it is necessary to find ways to cope. Some coping methods, them selves, are not healthy; providers may drink alcohol in excess (offduty), use medication to ease men tal or physical pain, not get enough sleep, or engage in dare devil activities as an outlet. Driv ers may be impaired due to exhaustion which can lead to seri ous and sometimes fatal accidents while rushing to a scene. Relatively new in EMS his tory, NYS has initiated a safety program that includes mental health counseling, wellness sup port, and other statewide pro grams. Programs such as Mount Sinai's EMS Injury Prevention Program focuses on injury preven tion, mental health, and other wellness projects. There is an em phasis on EMS leadership to de velop programs, accessible to all providers, which spotlight muscu loskeletal injury prevention, safety in and out of the rig during response, and overall health and well-being. There is also attention towards rig maintenance and proper and secure equipment stocking. According to the NYS Fire and EMS directory, there are sixty-two counties in the third most populous state, 18 regional EMS councils, an estimated 1thousand EMS agencies and more than 47-thousand square miles for emergency services to cover. It is imperative that we ensure the health, safety, and viability of our NYS EMS responders to be there for more than 19-thousand New Yorkers.
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CHAPPAQUA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Flames engulf vehicle against utility pole.
CHAPPAQUA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Car destroyed after crash and fire.
Chappaqua Firefighters Extinguish Car Fire After MVA CHAPPAQUA, NY - At ap proximately 5:00 p.m. on October 6th, the Chappaqua Fire Depart ment (CFD) was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident with extri cation and fire. While en route, dispatch up dated units that New Castle Police were already on scene and con firmed the vehicle was on fire but that the occupants had safely ex ited. Deputy Chief Maitland was the first fire officer to arrive and re layed the situation to Chief Zezze (Car 2062) as additional units re sponded. Rescue 23 was first on scene and immediately stretched a hoseline to begin suppression efforts. Engine 146 arrived shortly after, and together the two apparatus worked in tandem, using their on board water tanks to fully extin guish the blaze. The collision also damaged utility poles belonging to Con Edi-
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son and Verizon, and the scene was turned over to those companies after fire operations concluded. Fire crews remained until approxi mately 6:30 p.m. After returning to the firehouse, firefighters and equipment under went decontamination protocols, as responders and hose lines had been exposed to poison ivy at the crash site. Crews carefully washed down turnout gear and hoses to prevent further spread. CFD expressed appreciation to its partners on scene, including New Castle Police, Westchester EMS (45 Medic), and Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps, for their assistance and support. -COURTESY OF CHAPPAQUA VFD
December, 2025
1STResponder Newspaper - NY
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December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
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emergency responders lost in the line of duty
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Maryland: Mark Ray Dranbauer, Jr., 44 Rank: Lieutenant Incident Date: May 12, 2025 Death Date: May 17,2025 Fire Department: Baltimore City Fire Department Initial Summary: On May 12, 2025, while on an aerial ladder attempting a rescue during a rowhome fire, Lieu tenant Mark Dranbauer, Jr. suffered a medical emer gency. He fell down the ladder and was quickly rescued by other firefighters. Lieutenant Dranbauer was then taken to a hospital in critical condition where he passed away on May 17, 2025.
Tricia Mlood • William Mlurray • Mlark Picemo • Charlie Piper • David Ra~ gusa • John Rieth • Frank Robinson • Bob Root • Chris Sabella • Mlichael Serrell • Sharon Siegel • John Smith • Ken Snyder • John Spaulding • Bill Tompkins • Chris Tompkins • Bob Vaccaro • Gary Vanvoorhis • Frankie Verderame • Stephen Wallace • John Walthers • Eugene Weber Jr • Steve White • Guy Zampatori Jr
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Maryland: Charles Mudra, 52 Rank: Emergency Vehicle Driver Incident Date: May 16, 2025 Death Date: May 16,2025 Fire Department: Baltimore City Fire Department Initial Summary: Emergency Vehicle Driver Charles Mudra suffered a catastrophic medical emergency in be tween a skills assessment session he was participating in at the Baltimore City Fire Department training academy. Immediate advanced life support measures were admin istered on scene and Emergency Vehicle Driver Mudra was transported to a hospital where, despite all efforts, he was pronounced deceased. The cause of death has not yet been determined. North Carolina: Jake Bridges, 20 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: June 5, 2025 Death Date: June 5, 2025 Fire Department: Hickory Fire Department Initial Summary: At approximately 1:49 a.m. on June 5, Hickory Fire Department firefighters, including Fire fighter Jake Bridges, were dispatched to a structure fire. The fire was extinguished, and firefighters cleared the scene at approximately 4:52 a.m. After returning to their station, firefighters worked to get the truck back in serv ice. At approximately 5:08 a.m., Firefighter Bridges ex perienced a medical emergency and was transported to a
local hospital. Despite resuscitation efforts of his fellow firefighters, first responders, and medical personnel, Firefighter Bridges passed away. Pennsylvania: David L. Warfel, 57 Rank: Forest Maintenance Supervisor Incident Date: May 28, 2025 Death Date: May 29, 2025 Fire Department: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry Initial Summary: On Wednesday, May 28, Forest Maintenance Supervisor David L. Warfel led training exercises as part o f the Wildland Fire Academy at Shippensburg University. During classroom training the following day, Forest Maintenance Supervisor Warfel reported feeling ill. Later that evening at ap proximately 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, he was found deceased in his quarters from a cardiac event. North Carolina: Violet Caramella, 25 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: June 14, 2025 Death Date: June 14, 2025 Fire Department: Riceville Volunteer Fire Department Initial Summary: Firefighter Violet Caramella was in volved in a serious all-terrain vehicle accident during a fire department training exercise. Despite immediate re sponse from fellow firefighters and emergency medical personnel, Firefighter Caramella passed away at the scene from the injuries she sustained. Two other Riceville Volunteer Fire Department members were in jured and transported to the hospital for treatment. One remains in critical condition and the other is in stable condition.
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
December, 2025
PAGE 7
Several Rescued from 3 Alarm A partm ent B uilding Fire in B uffalo BUFFALO, NY - On Saturday, September 20th around 2:20 p.m., Buffalo firefighters responded to a structure fire at 2439 Delaware Av enue. Units arrived on scene and found heavy smoke and fire conditions in a large three-story apartment building. Multiple people were evacuated from the building by fire fighters. Four people were transported to Erie County Medical Center with non-lifethreatening injuries, and several oth ers were evaluated in a triage area on scene. The blaze went to three alarms and was brought under control in about two hours. Damage estimates were $2.5 million to the structure and contents. The cause remains under inves tigation. -JEFFREY ARNOLD
JEFFREY ARN0LD/@FIREPH0T025
JEFFREY ARN0LD/@ FIREPH0T025
JEFFREY ARN0LD/@ FIREPH0T025
PAGE 8
December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
ADAMS FIRE DEPARTMENT
Adams Fire Responds to Barn Fire on County Route 84 ADAMS, NY - The Adam s Fire Department was dispatched at 12:19 p.m. on October 4th to 16009 C ounty Route 84 in the Town of Adam s fo r a reported structure fire involving a deep fry e r inside a barn. A uto m a tic m utual aid w as provided by Belleville and Sm ithville Fire Departments. Adam s responded w ith Chiefs 1-0-1, 1-0-2, and 1-0-3, along w ith Engines 1-4-1 and 1-4-2, Tanker 1-5-1, Rescue 1-6-1, and Truck 1-8-1. Units from Belleville and Sm ithville Fire Departments also assisted on scene. Crews arrived to fin d the fire contained to the area of o rig in . F ire figh te rs q u ic k ly exting uishe d th e rem aining flam es, preventing fu rth e r extension to the structure. A fter thorough checks fo r hot spots and ventilation, the scene was declared under control. No injuries were reported.
JEFFREY ARN0LD/@FIREPHDT025
PATCH OF THE MONTH If you have photos you would like to see in our “Patch o f the month “feature please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.
JEFFREY ARN0LD/@FIREPH0T025
R ochester F ire fig h te rs Respond to Rubbish Fire a t V acant Grocery Store ROCHESTER, NY - Just after 7:30 p.m. on October 21st, Rochester firefig hte rs responded to a fire at the form er Tops grocery store at 794 Lake Avenue. R esponding u nits reported sm oke show ing and rubbish burning at the entrance to the building. The fire was extinguished in about 20 m inutes; there were no injuries reported. The cause rem ains under investigation.
EUGENE WERER JR.
This patch belongs to the New Rochelle Fire Department, located in W estchester County, NY.
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
December, 2025
PAGE 9
CHVFC Crews Contain Starr Road Vehicle Fire COEYMANS, NY - The Coeymans Hollow Volunteer Fire Corp. (CE1VFC) responded Thursday evening, September 17th, to a fully involved vehicle fire in a driveway on Starr Road, just 20 feet from a residence. Fire Control ad vised Chief Haight (Car 6-01) of the homeowner’s report while units were en route, prompting an immediate request for mutual aid from Selkirk Fire. CHVFC crews ar rived quickly, deploying multiple units including Engine 6-20, Res cue 6-10, and Rescue 6-40. Selkirk Fire’s Engine 29-21 and command staff also assisted at the scene. Thanks to the rapid response and coordinated attack, firefighters successfully contained the blaze, preventing damage to the nearby home. No injuries were reported. The Coeymans Police Depart ment and Albany County Sheriff’s Office also assisted at the scene. Of ficials commended the teamwork between agencies that ensured the incident was resolved safely. -COURTESY OF COEY MANS HOLLOW VOL. FIRE CORP. COEYMANS HOLLOWVOLUNTEER FIRE CORP.
Fully engulfed vehicle in flames just 20 feet from the residence.
McKownville Fire Department Advances New Station Project ALBANY, NY - The McK ownville FD announced progress on its long-anticipated new fire station project. Over the past several weeks, a complete abatement of all haz ardous materials at the site was safely carried out. Follow up testing confirmed negative results, en suring the area is clear of any remain ing hazardous sub stances. As part of the next phase, tempo rary fencing has been installed around the site for public safety. The fencing will remain in place throughout the demolition of the ex isting station, site work, and the eventual construction of the new firehouse. The new facility is expected to modernize operations and improve service to the McKownville com munity. For more details and updates on the project, residents are encouraged to visit the fire department’s official page. MCKOWNVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
- COURTESY OF MCKOWNVILLE FD
McKownville Fire Department existing station dem olition in progress as they announced new fire station project.
PAGE 10
December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
BOB MCCORMICK
Lake Street Crash Sends One to Hospital in Newburgh NEWBURGH, NY - Newburgh FD responded to a two-vehicle PIAA at 147 Lake Street on October 16th. City of Newburgh Police and Empress EMS were at the scene. Firefighters as sisted with injured parties and checked both vehicles for haz ards while spreading speedy dry on fluids on the roadway. Empress EMS transported one driver to Montefiore-St. Luke's Hospital; other driver was RMA. The City of Newburgh Police Dept, is investigating the cause.
SHARON E. SIEGEL
Inaugural Cardboard Boat Race Brings Fun and Funds to Port Jervis Fire Department PORT JERVIS, NY - Port Jervis Tourism Board, assisted by Port Jervis Fire Department, hosted an in augural Delaware River Cardboard Boat Regatta and Beach Party at West End Beach on August 23rd. Nine boats of creative design and varying sturdiness took to the water; all hoping to stay afloat and make it intact from start to finish. Four actually did complete the course, which ran from shore to a first buoy, around that and a second
Jump to file #102025160
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buoy, and ending where Port Jervis Dive Team boats were stationed at a third buoy and the finish line. Tourism Board members, along the city’s recreation department, am bulance personnel, and Port Jervis Fire Department responders were on hand for the event, with rescue equipment should this be needed.
There was a minor call for assistance by one of the boaters, but that boater went on to enjoy the remainder of the event once helped back to shore. Organizers, plan to make this an annual event, complete with the ap preciated food vendors, DJ, and oth ers who helped to make this first time boat regatta a fun event and successful fundraiser aimed at help ing the fire department. -SHARON SIEGEL
LORRAINE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY INC.
F irefig hters Rescue Rider Injured on Remote Trail in Lorraine LORRAINE, N.Y.- On Saturday, September 20th, the Lor raine Fire Department and South Jefferson Rescue Squad were dispatched fo r a d irt-bike accident w ith injuries off County Route 90 in the Town of Lorraine. Lorraine Fire re sponded w ith a rescue and UTV, w ith Adams Fire assisting due to the rem ote tra il location. County Car 100 also re sponded. The patient was located near Hessel Road, brought out by side-by-side, and transferred to an am bu lance. A ir m edical met crews at a nearby parking lot and flew the patient to a Syracuse-area hospital.
SHARON E. SIEGEL
December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
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December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
Fuller Road Fire Department Receives Community Donation COLONIE, NY - The Fuller Road Fire Department was hon ored to receive a generous dona tion from longtime supporters, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, prior to their company meeting in September. The Hindubased charity group has a longstanding history of raising funds for a variety of worthy causes, and their support of the fire department underscores the strong bond be tween the organiza tion and the community it serves. “This kind of support helps us continue our mission and ensures we can keep serving our neigh bors effectively,” department offi cials said. “We are grateful for the generosity and commitment shown by BAPS Shri Swami narayan Mandir.” The Fuller Road Fire Depart ment extended its thanks for the donation, highlighting the impor tance of partnerships with com munity organizations that make a meaningful impact.
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- COURTESY OF FULLER ROAD FIRE DEPARTMENT
FULLER ROAD FIRE DEPARTMENT
DRIIIS/TRAINING To see your Drills in the newspaper upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
N0RTHP0LE FIRE COMPANY
Northpole F irefighters Respond to Three-Vehicle Crash on SR 283 NORTHPOLE, N.Y. - On Saturday m orning, Septem ber 20th, the N orthpole Fire Department was dispatched to a three-ve hicle m otor vehicle accident invo lvin g tw o cars and a tra c to r-tra ile r on State Route 283. Upon arrival, C alcium Fire Departm ent w as requested to shut dow n the roadway on the north side o f the scene w hile crew s operated. F irefighters from N orthpole w orked to m itigate hazards and assist w ith clearing the roadway to restore tra ffic flow. The departm ent w as assisted on scene by G uilfoyle Am bulance and the Jef ferson C ounty S h eriff’s Office.
VINNIE DOMINICK
NEWBURGH, NY - W inona Lake held an extrication d rill on the night of October 7th, put on by Doug Deridder and N ick Cardilo, dem onstrating the new Jaws.
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
December, 2025
PAGE 13
Troy Fire Department Battles Heavy Fire to Rescue Residents and Pets at 6th Avenue Home TROY, NY - On September 21st at 4:16 AM, the City of Troy Fire Department was dispatched to 181 6th Avenue for a reported basement fire. Engine 4, Engine 1, Engine 2, Truck 1, Truck 2, Medic 4, the Rescue Squad, and the Bat talion Chief responded to the scene. Car 3 and Engine 4 arrived on scene with smoke showing from a two-story, wood-frame, multi-occupancy structure and im mediately declared a signal 30 for a working structure fire. Firefight ers deployed a PA-inch hand line to the front door as additional units arrived and began setting up at the hydrant to supply Engine 4 with water. Conditions on the second floor rapidly began to change as heavy, black, turbulent smoke pushed from the second floor while the truck companies were setting up. Firefighters made an initial push inside the first floor, where they encountered signifi cant fire conditions in the walls. Command, noting the rapid changes and exposure issues, transmitted a second alarm, bring ing the Watervliet Arsenal Fire Department, City of Watervliet Fire Department, Engine 6, and the Green Island Fire Department to the scene. Firefighters at tempted to locate the fire in the basement but were unsuccessful, then continued up the stairs to the second floor. A firefighter on the first floor notified command that the fire was traveling in the floor between the first and second floors and through the walls. As additional hand lines were deployed and crews attempted to advance up the stairwell, a signif icant smoke and heat condition pushed down on them. Command ordered all personnel to back out of the structure. At that time, the second floor ignited, with heavy fire pushing from the windows and roof line. Command requested evacuation tones be transmitted, and firefighters sounded the appa ratus horns to ensure all personnel exited the building. Once crews were clear, multiple hand lines
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A ai were quickly deployed, and the pump operator on Engine 4 oper ated the deck gun to knock down the heavy fire on the second floor. Roof crews immediately began venting the structure to release su perheated gases. Defensive tactics were used briefly before firefight ers re-entered the structure to ag gressively attack the remaining seat of the fire. Multiple hand lines were de ployed to the second floor while first-floor crews conducted a pri mary search, rescuing several cats. Second-floor crews contin ued interior operations for an ex tended period, opening ceilings and walls to locate hidden fire. Roof crews reported a significant fire condition traveling the attic line, and a PA-inch hand line was deployed from the truck com pany’s bucket to knock down the fire from a vent hole at the front of the structure. Watervliet Arse nal Fire Department personnel conducted vertical ventilation on the rear of the structure. Green Is land Fire Department personnel deployed a hand line to the second floor and extinguished hotspots as crews opened the front porch area and the interior of the second floor. Firefighters continued opera tions for an extended period be fore locating and rescuing one additional cat. National Grid dis connected gas and power to the structure, and the City of Troy Water Department monitored the scene for any disruptions in the water supply. Firefighters contin ued firefighting efforts into the early morning, extinguishing hotspots and conducting extensive overhaul. Fire investigators ar rived on scene to determine the cause of the fire. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire has not been publicly released. - JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER
RECYCLE O
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JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER/SIDEWINDER PHOTOGRAPHY
PAGE 14
December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
MEMORIAL BOARD I f your department has photos you would like to see in our “Memorial Board” feature please up load them on our website www. 1RBN.com or email them to Lindsey@ 1stResponderNews.com
BOB MCCORMICK
BOB MCCORMICK
AVOCA HOSE COMPANY 1
Sept. 21, 2025 — W ith heavy hearts, the Avoca Hose C om pany No. 1 announces the passing o f Glenn Davis, a deeply respected and longtim e member o f the fire com pany fam ily. Glenn dedicated an extraordinary 59 years of service to the departm ent, giving co un t less hours to protect and su pp ort the Avoca com m unity. Beyond his decades on the fireground, Glenn also served fa ith fu lly as the com pany’s treasurer, ensuring the sm ooth operation of the depart ment. His loyalty, w isdom , and friendship left a lasting im pact on everyone who had the privilege of serving alongside him . Glenn was the em bodim ent of w hat it means to be a true volunteer, not only through his fire service but also through his selfless contribu tion s to the com m unity — including building hundreds of ramps for those in need. “ All of us looked up to G lenn,” the departm ent shared. “ We can only hope to give back the w ay he d id .” Glenn Davis’s unwa vering com m itm ent, kindness, and example o f service w ill never be forgotten. Rest easy, Glenn — you w ill be greatly missed.
BOB MCCORMICK
110th Orange County Volunteer Fireman’s Parade V is it 1st Responder on th e Web a t
www.1strespondernews.com
MONROE, NY - Monroe Fire D epartm ent hosted the 110th annual Orange C ounty Volunteer Fire m an's Parade on Saturday, Septem ber 27th. Fire d ep artm en ts lined up on S till Road and m arched dow n Stage Road to Spring Street, then into the park w here refreshm ents were given out. President C onstantine "D ino " Patukis led the w ay fo r the m archers. Trophies were given out later that day after the judges met.
December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
DRIIIS/TRAINING To see your D rills in the new spaper upload them on our website w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com
Firefighters from the Shaker Road Loudonville Fire Department participated in live burn training at the Municipal Training Building (MTB) on September 23rd. The exercise allowed members to prac tice fire suppression techniques under realistic conditions, en hancing their readiness for real-world emergencies. Live burns are a critical component of firefighter training, providing valuable experience in controlling flames, managing heat, and coordinat ing as a team in dynamic environments. The department contin ues to emphasize ongoing training to ensure firefighters are fully prepared to protect the community when seconds count.
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December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
Hartsdale Fire Department Supports Breast Cancer & Down Syndrome Awareness in October HARTSDALE, NY - The Hartsdale Fire Department once again showed its support for two im portant causes during the month of October: National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Throughout the month, firefighters wore pink shirts to help raise awareness of breast cancer, a disease that affects one in eight women in the United States each year. In addition, the depart ment’s apparatus displayed special decals to honor and support Down Syndrome awareness. “We are proud to support both breast cancer and Down Syndrome awareness year-round, but espe cially during October,” the depart ment said. “It’s important for us to stand with our community and spread awareness for causes that af fect so many families.” By incorporating awareness ef forts into their uniforms and appara tus, Hartsdale firefighters aim to spark conversations and encourage community members to learn more, get involved, and support those im pacted. HARTSDALE FIRE DEPARTMENT
- COURTESY OF HARTS DALE FIRE DEPT.
Port Jervis Fire Department’s Maghogomock Hook & Ladder Co. #1 Serves Roast Beef Dinners
SHARON E. SIEGEL
Get your roast beef dinners here! They're going fast! Maghogomock Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 firefighters and helpers are pictured distribu tin g pre-ordered 240 full-course roast beef dinners on October 18th.
PORT JERVIS, NY - Maghogo mock Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1, like other companies in Port Jervis Fire Department, holds various fundraiser events throughout each year to raise needed funds for com pany expenses. The all-volunteer department and members of each PJFD company are very active through out each year. Be sides responding to emergency calls of all types, participat ing in local parades and events, and joining in neighbor ing community events, they take on a wide range of projects regularly. The most recent, a roast beef dinner takeout held on Saturday, October 18th, is one event that nearly always sells out —as it did again this year. This dedicated crew prepared and served 240 full-course takeout roast beef dinners, complete with onion soup accompaniment. Best of all were the comments received by their patrons. Many of those who ar rived to pick up their dinners said they look forward to ordering these delicious dinners for their family each time the dinner is hosted. Great job, Maghogomock Hook & Ladder Co. No. # 1! . SHARON SIEGEL
December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
PAGE 17
IRVINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Irvington Volunteer Fire Department Celebrates 145th Anniversary and Honors Longtime Member
BOB MCCORMICK
Cronomer Valley FD Responds to Shed Fire in Newburgh
IRVINGTON, NY - The Irving ton Volunteer Fire Department proudly celebrated its 145th Inspec tion and Anniversary October 5th, marking more than a century of service and dedication to the vil lage. In preparation for the event, firefighters and volunteers worked tirelessly throughout the week to ensure that the firehouse, apparatus, gear, and equipment reflected the pride and professionalism of the de partment. Their commitment was on full display during the celebra tion, which brought together com munity members, local leaders, and partner fire departments. Adding to the significance of
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the evening, the department re ceived multiple proclamations in honor of its 145th anniversary, rec ognizing its long history of protect ing and serving the Irvington community. The night also included a spe cial tribute to Ex-Chief Michael Colantuono, who was honored for his 50 years of service to the depart ment and the village. A two-time Chief, Colantuono received numer ous awards for his exceptional ded ication, leadership, and impact on the fire service.
“We are incredibly proud of our history, our members, and our en during bond with this community,” the department said in a statement. “Celebrations like this remind us of the tradition of service we carry for ward.” The event was attended by local officials and representatives, in cluding Senate Majority Leader An drea Stewart-Cousins, Assemblymember Mary Jane Shimsky, and County Legislator David Imamura, along with colleagues from neighboring fire departments and state fire service organizations. - COURTESY OF IRVINGTON VOL. FIRE DEPT.
NEWBURGH, NY - Cronom er Valley Fire Department re sponded to a reported shed fire at 156 Mountain View Ave on O ctober 12th. Units arrived to fin d the shed fu lly in volved. Mutual aid was provided by Good W ill, Orange Lake, and P lattekill Fire Departm ents. F irefighters used hand lines and hand to o ls to extinguish the fire and then used to o ls to separate contents. Orange County Deputy Fire C oordinator 36-13 and Ulster County Deputy Fire Co ordinator 56-4, along w ith Town of Newburgh Police, were on scene. Cronom er Valley Car 2 requested the Town of Newburgh Fire Inspectors Office to respond. Town of New burgh Police com pleted a general incident report.
IRVINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
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December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
MEMORIAL BOARD I f y o u r d e p a rtm e n t h a s p h o to s y o u w o u ld like to se e in o u r “ M e m o ria l B o a rd ” fea tu re p lea se u p load th em o n o u r w e b site w w w . IR B N .c o m o r em ail th em to L in d sey @ ls tR e s p o n d e rN e w s .c o m
Benton FD Mourns Founding Member BENTON, NY - October 25, 2025 — The Benton Volunteer Fire Department is m ourning the loss of one of its founding members, George H. Newcomb, who dedicated more than 70 years to serving the comm u nity. Before the department’s official form ation in 1954, George and a small group of local residents banded together to create what would become the Benton Vol unteer Fire Department. He re mained active through the decades, assisting at raffles, at tending m onthly meetings and tru ck checks, and frequently
stopping by the station sim ply because “ the doors were open.” George was the departm ent’s last remaining charter member, remembered not only for his service but for his enduring presence and com m itm ent to his fellow firefighters. “ Thank you, George, for your everlasting service and dedica tio n ,” the department said in a statement, extending gratitude to his fam ily for sharing his time and devotion with the Ben ton community.
BENTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER/SIDEWINDER PHOTOGRAPHY
North Greenbush firefighters overhauling the camper.
Defreestville Firefighters Contain Camper Blaze in Under 15 Minutes DEFREESTVILLE, NY - On October 5th at 9:30 AM, the De freestville Fire Department, Wynantskill Fire Department, and North Greenbush Ambulance were dispatched to 169 Momer Road for a reported camper fire. De freestville Car 3 arrived on scene, established command, and notified the dispatcher that a camper was on fire with smoke pushing from it. Due to a nearby barn, the chief requested a structural box alarm as a precaution, bringing the Clinton Heights Fire Department and their rapid intervention team to the scene. The chief conducted a full size-up of the situation and did not open the camper, preventing addi-
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tional oxygen from feeding the fire. Engine 9-7 arrived and de ployed a P/4-inch hand line to the side door of the camper. Firefight ers opened the door and began knocking down the fire before it could spread. Shortly afterward. Engine 9-6 arrived on scene, along with mutual aid from Wynantskill and Clinton Heights Fire Depart ments. The driver from the firstdue engine established a water supply with Engine 9-6. Firefight ers continued suppression efforts
for a short period. The incident was brought under control in less than 15 min utes. The first-due chief’s decision not to open the camper initially helped prevent the fire from spreading beyond the interior of the camper. No injuries were re ported. Firefighters remained on scene for an extended period con ducting overhaul while fire inves tigators determined the cause of the fire. Firefighters returned to service approximately one hour after the start of the incident. This marks the second camper fire in the district within the last month. - JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER
Tri-Village Mourns Loss of Past Assistant Chief OLD CHATHAM, NY - The TriVillage Volunteer Fire Company is deeply saddened to an nounce the passing of Past As sistant Chief Barry Cooke Sr., who died peacefully at home on the evening of August 31st. Chief Cooke joined Tri-Village in 1962 and dedicated an ex traordinary 63 years of service to the department and comm u nity. He served as First A ssis tant Chief fo r more than two decades, providing leadership, m entorship, and unwavering dedication that shaped genera
tions of firefighters. Beyond his firefighting service, Chief Cooke was a constant presence w ithin the company, offering support in countless ways and embodying the true spirit of volunteerism. His loss leaves a profound void not only in the fire company but also in the hearts of those who served alongside him. “ Thank you for your service, Chief — we’ll take it from here,” the department said in a heart felt tribute. JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER/SIDEWINDER PHOTOGRAPHY
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
December, 2025
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DBIIIS FBOMABOUND THESTATE To see your Drills in the newspaper upload them on our website m w .lstR esponderN em .com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNem.com.
WEST CORNERS FIRE DEPARTMENT FULLER ROAD FIRE DEPARTMENT The F uller Road Fire Departm ent hosted representatives from National Grid on in Septem ber fo r a specialized F irst Responder E le ctric Safety tra in in g . The class, presented by Roy Penn and A ndy Prestigiacom o, focused on im proving fire fig h te rs’ a b ility to safely and e ffectively respond to electrical em ergencies w hile ensuring both fire fig h te r and p u blic safety. Departm ent o fficia ls called the session h ig h ly inform ative, noting th a t co n tin u o u s tra in in g w ith in d u s try partners like National G rid stre n g th ens preparedness fo r real-w orld incid e n ts in vo lvin g downed w ires, power equipm ent, o r other elec trica l hazards. The Fuller Road Fire Departm ent extended its thanks to National Grid fo r th e ir ongoing partn e rship in c o m m u n ity safety.
F irefighters from the W est C orners Fire Departm ent participated in specialized FAST Board train in g in September, joined by m em bers of the West E ndicott Fire Departm ent. The FAST Board is a to o l de signed to help rescuers q u ickly and efficie n tly remove downed fire fig h te rs o r civilia n s from hazardous e n vironm ents. Training focused on build in g fa m ilia rity w ith the equipm ent and practicing the rapid, coordinated team w ork required d uring real-world em er gencies. Departm ent o fficia ls emphasized that th is type o f handson train in g is vita l to ensuring firefig h te rs are ready to respond not o n ly to co m m u n ity em ergencies but also to situ a tio ns where one of th e ir own may be in danger. By regularly practicing w ith life-sav ing to o ls like the FAST Board, West Corners and West Endicott fire fig h ters continue to strengthen th e ir readiness and a b ility to serve the co m m u n ity under the m ost challenging co n d itio ns.
ARKPORT FIRE DEPARTMENT Two m em bers o f the A rk p o rt Fire Departm ent participated in a grain bin rescue class hosted at the Howard Fire Hall in September. The Howard Fire Departm ent rece n tly acquired specialized grain bin rescue equipm ent th ro u g h a grant, and as part o f the program , offered a regional tra in in g session fo r neighboring departm ents. Grain bin rescues are rare but high-risk incidents, requiring both unique to o ls and specialized know ledge to perform safely. A rkp o rt Fire expressed app re cia tio n to Howard Fire fo r the in vita tio n and fo r h osting the class, ca llin g the tra in in g a valuable resource fo r the area.
CITY OF BATAVIA FIRE DEPARTMENT In September, the City of Batavia Fire Departm ent conducted a de partm ent-wide training session focused on firefig h te r survival skills and FAST (Firefighter A ssist and Search Team) scenarios. The ex ercise emphasized techniques fo r extracting a downed firefighter, a critica l skillse t designed to im prove safety and effectiveness d u r ing real em ergencies. Regular survival and rescue training ensures firefig h te rs remain prepared to protect not on ly the pu b lic but also th e ir fellow crew m em bers when seconds count.
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December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
1IRILLS/TRAININIG To see your Drills in the newspaper upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
The Old Tappan Volunteer Fire Department was invited by their B rother Firefighters from the Sparkill-Palisades Fire D istrict to participate in a m ulti-statio n/m ulti-ta sk firefig htin g Drill. Like the U. S. Military., the U. S. Fire Service refers to train in g a c tiv itie s as D rills. The Alpine Volunteer Department also par ticipated. The Drill featured training in the use of the gasoline powered metal cu ttin g saw, a standard to ol used in the Fire Service, used fo r defeating extra se cu rity devices often found on com m ercial b uildings, such heavy duty chains and in d u s trial size padlocks. There was a Search and Rescue sta tion where Firemen D rilled on one of the m ost im portant fireground tasks they perform , the search fo r victim s in the zero v is ib ility environm ent o f the fire floor. With th eir protec tive hoods donned backwards to "b lin d " them selves, as they w ould be at a fire, firefig hte rs conducted a "p rim a ry search" fo r v ictim s and then removed them to a safe zone, no easy task when wearing well over 50 pounds of PPE (personal p ro tective equipm ent). The "p ri mary search" is often conducted before the firs t hoseline is stretched and in op eration and e xting uishin g the fire. Firefighters carrying out a "p rim a ry search" under these
circum stances w ill have w ith them "the can", a 2 1/2 gallon pressurized water fire e xtin guisher. The "Can-Man" at a "jo b " (w orking fire), w ill ju d i cio u sly app ly w ater around door fram es to try to slow the spread o f fire to fa cilita te the "prim ary search" and members w ill close doors of searched room s to retard the spread o f the fire th ro u g h o u t the s tru c ture, w hile trying determ ine the location of the "m ain body of fire". Finally, there was a "ro llin g re sponse" to m otor vehicle fire. Each Departm ent sent an En gine (the fire apparatus w hich carries hose, water, and a pump), stretched a 1 3/4" hand line and extinguished the fire. There was an EMS Re-Hab sta tio n set up to m onitor the well being of all participants, as well as being present on scene, in the event o f an actual em er gency. Happily, there were no injuries. The D rill ended w ith refresh ments and a debriefing led by Sparkill-Palisades Chief o f De partm ent Josh PANTER. The Old Tappan Volunteers were led by Deputy Chief Chris REILLY, Captain K ristel MOCKLER and Lieutenant Nick CRISCUOLO and they operated w ith the De partm ent's 43 Engine appara tus.
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On October 21 st, W inona Lake Engine Company drilled on endurance, pulling a person 40' and back, then pulling one length of hose, clim bing a ladder, tapping the window, and lastly hitting a tire 10 tim es, all w hile being timed.
SHARON E. SIEGEL
Sparrowbush Engine Company Continues Longtim e M onthly B reakfast Tradition
VINNYSLOAT
A show er of sparks is emitted as the power saw w ith metal cutting blade makes short w ork of a heavy duty chain.
SPARROWBUSH, NY - This busy group o f dedicated, skille d Sparrow bush Engine Com pany fire fig h te rs and a u x ilia ry m em bers are alw ays there to help during em ergencies, and once a m onth th e y a lso provide breakfast fo r th e ir com m unity. It takes tim e and ded ica tion to co m m it to the num ber o f people needed to prepare and serve a fu ll hot breakfast m onthly. They do th is as part of fu nd ra iser means, w hile also serving as a way to bring th e ir co m m u n ity to gether fo r th is meal. This g ro up has done it fo r decades, and they continue to draw large num ber of patrons every m onth. Great job, Sparrow bush Engine C om pany's a ll-v o lu n te e r fire and a u x ilia ry crew s!
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
December, 2025
PAGE 21
BOB MCCORMICK
No Injuries in One-Car Rollover in Newburgh NEWBURGH, NY - Orange Lake FD responded to a one-ve h icle ro llo v e r at on Lakeside Road at a p p ro xim a te ly 4:33 a.m. on September 25th. Town of Newburgh Police and EMS were at the scene. A ll occup an ts of the vehicle, w h ich had left the roadw ay and w ent into a w ooded area were o utside of th e ve hicle when police arrived. F ire figh te rs checked the v e h icle fo r hazards. A ll o ccu p a n ts o f th e v e h ic le refused m edical treatm ent. Town o f Newburgh Police are inve stiga t ing the cause.
Firefighters Contain Ontario County Blaze ONTARIO COUNTY, NY Multiple fire departments worked together Friday evening, September 19th, to bring a large structure fire under control in Ontario County. The incident began shortly after Middlesex Fire and Rushville Fire had cleared a car fire earlier in the evening. Middlesex Fire, joined by Rushville Fire, Middlesex Valley Ambulance, and Benton Fire with their FAST Team, responded mu tual aid to the scene of the working blaze. Given the size of the structure and intensity of the fire, command quickly escalated the response to second and third alarms. Additional resources were dispatched, includ ing a tanker from Potter Fire and an extra tanker from Benton Fire.
WYOMING HOOK & LADDER COMPANY, INC.
Wyoming Fire Supports Women of Valor Memorial October 7, 2025 — The W yom ing Hook & Ladder Company p roudly announced its support fo r the Women of Valor National Memorial, a project dedicated to honoring w om en w ho made the ultim ate sacrifice in service to the United States. During the departm ent’s A ugust meeting, rep resentatives from the m em orial organization presented th e ir v is io n fo r the tribu te, w hich is being constructed in Strykersville, New York. In response, the departm ent made a donation to support the e ffo rt and w elcom ed representatives to host an inform ational booth during the AppleUm pkin Festival. W yom ing Hook & Ladder expressed deep appreciation fo r the m em orial’s m ission, em phasizing the im portance of recognizing the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of wom en w ho have served the nation.
MEMORIES If your department has photos you would like to see in our “Memories” feature please upload them on our website www. IRBN.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
Jump to file #092525188
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Fire crews coordinated water supply, suppression efforts, and safety operations. Thanks to the rapid and well-organized response, the fire was contained, and com mand later directed all remaining units to continue in non-emergency status. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Officials commended the teamwork of all responders for their swift action and dedication to protecting the community. - COURTESY OF MIDDLESEX HOSE CO.
CHUCK LOWE
White Plains ran this 1994 Ford L9000/Smeal 105' aerial as Truck 1.
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December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
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1st Responder Newspaper - NY
December, 2025
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THIS OLD HOUSE If you have photos you would like to see in our “This Old House” feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
BOB MCCORMICK
Car Crashes Into Guardrail After Collision w ith Tractor-Trailer on 1-84 NEWBURGH, NY - W inona Lake and Orange Lake fire depart ments responded to a vehicle into a guardrail eastbound on Interstate 84 in the area of the 37 m ile marker, October 19th. F irefighters checked the vehicle fo r hazards and spread speedy dry. The vehicle struck the rear axle of a tractor-trailer and w ent into the guardrail. The driver refused medical treat ment. New York State Police are investigating the cause. FRANK ROBINSON
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PAGE 24
December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
Cadyville Fire Department Honors Greg “ Car 5” Timmons w ith Successful Memorial W aterball Tournament CADYVILLE, NY - The Cadyville Fire Department hosted the 2nd Annual Greg “Car 5” Tim mons Memorial Waterball Tourna ment on Sunday, September 21st. This year’s proceeds benefited the North Country Honor Flight. Eight teams participated, including two from Morrisonville, one from Peru, two from Saranac, and three from Cadyville. The event fea tured strong competi tion and great camaraderie throughout the day. The Timmons family, along with Gina Bond and Mike Parsons from North Country Honor Flight, attended and presented trophies. Cadyville Team 1—Chief Je remy Favaro, Jamie Gilmore, and Zane Vaughn—took first place, with Morrisonville Team 2 finishing sec ond. The Best Nozzleman award was a close contest between Chief Favaro and Morrisonville Assistant Chief Matt Smith, with Favaro earn ing the title. The department paid special thanks to Morrisonville and Peru Fire Departments for supplying water tankers, to the judges and vol unteers for their help, and to the aux iliary for keeping everyone fed. It was a day of great weather, team work, and remembrance of Greg Timmons’ dedication to the fire service. - COURTESY OF CADYVILLE FIRE DEPT.
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1st Responder Newspaper - NY
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December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
DRILLS/TRAINING If you have photos you would like to see in our Drills feature, please upload them on our website www. 1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.
Are you a Hoser? How w ell do you know the hoses on the apparatus in your departm ent? A ll firefighters should know that there are m ul tip le types of hoses on any given engine and truck. The rea son is obvious in that on the fireground m ultiple scenarios can be present at any given tim e. In fact, some departm ent SOPs require extensive know l edge of the different hose types and the locations of those hoses in order to be certified as a driver/pum p operator. Yes, the tones may signal a structure fire but that doesn’t mean there that fire hasn’t spread to the sur rounding w ood line to the point w here yo u ’re also battling a w ildfire. Each fire type requiring a different hose. Since there are m ultiple facets to fire hoses let’s facilitate and first take a look at some different hose types w ith characteristics and typical uses for each. Most hoses have a “ pony line ” from the apparatus connection to the firs t coupling to make sure the fu ll length of that hose can be utilized. Keep in m ind th is list does not contain all types of fire hoses.
Large Diameter Hose (LDH may be 4 or 5 inches in diame ter): Used to hook an apparatus to a hydrant. Can also be used to relay to another pum per Most engines w ill have at least 10001500 feet that can be deployed fa irly easily Usually, the lengthiest due to the p o s s ib ility of sign ifican t d is tance between hydrants or other apparatus. May have a 25 and/or 50-foot LDH line fo r hooking into a hy drant close by
2.5- and 3-inch hose Used to put a lot of water on a significant fire and protect expo sures as well. D ifficult to maneuver w ith in a structure Can be deployed and used by one person but th is can be d iffi cu lt (cross underneath itself) Can be used in conjunction w ith a blitz fire
1.75-inch hose
Most comm on hose used w ithin structure fires Smaller diameter uses less water but has more frictio n loss fo r the same reason
Booster Hose (Usually rubber hose that is .75-1 inch in diame ter). Thick walled and typically in 200 ft lengths Used to put out sm aller fires
Forestry Hose (Usually .75-1.5 inch in diameter) Most com m on use w ould be w ild fire - any outdoor fire. Light in w eight fo r use over long d is tances
Formal Proceedings A brand new and exact replica of the prim ary hoses (usually cross lays) Used in parades and possibly funeral processions These are to be kept in pristine condition Regardless of the hose type and length they all have tested on an annual basis according to NFPA 1962. This standard provides guidance fo r the care, use, in spection, service testing, re placem ent of fire hose, couplings, nozzles and fire hose appliance. Here is a sample form to use to keep records of the res u i t s https://docs.google.com /docum e n t / d / 1 h X D jdx0etx24rNeL4Eh9hO6in4Guq My/edit. Here are some h ig h lights from NFPA 1962: Hoses m anufactured prior to 1987 should be rem oved from service Hoses cu rren tly in service should be tested annually Removal, rolling and repacking of fire hose should be done in the same manner A physical inspection should be done on each section of hose w ith any failures resulting in re pair or removal from service Attack fire hose should be tested at a m inim um of 300psi but usually between 350-400psi LDH and other supply lines should be tested at a minimum of 200psi Hoses should be tested in 300ft or less in as straight a line as
possible Hoses should be tested fo r at least one m inute w ith 100 ft of hose takes three m inutes w ith any leaks recorded Any hoses removed from serv ice should have distin ctive m arkings w ith reason fo r re moval Now we know about the major types of hoses and the standard fo r testing these hoses to en sure they are adequate fo r the job the next to pic is how to de ploy all these hoses. Each de partm ent w ill have their own standard operating procedure (SOPs) fo r deploying hoses on the fireground. For example, some departm ents o nly tap the steamer cap w ith LDH and one auxiliary connection (usually closest to the fire) w hile others tap both auxiliary ports. Still oth ers use a separate gate to regu late water flow as opposed to the stem nut. It isn’t unheard of to suggest new and better ways to deploy a hose line and it is to the credit to an officer and/or chief fo r recog nizing a new and more efficient way to do so but typ ically change in hose deployment usu ally does not occur unless a new engine has been ordered and the procedure fo r getting the hoses off that new engine would have has new com partm ents etc., that require a different ap proach. There are m ultiple methods and procedures fo r deploying hoses so as long as the deploym ent is w ithin departm ent SOPs then it is OK to do. That said there are a few “ rules” that exist no matter how hose deploym ent occurs. This is by no means a finite list. -Completely empty the hose bed BEFORE charging the line. An exception m ight be LDH but in m ost cases this hose is uncou pled depending on the length needed. -When deploying hose lines d on ’t just stand next to the ap paratus and pull line into a huge “ spaghetti pile ” . This w ill only cause m ultiple tangles when the line is charged thus lim iting the fu ll length of hose. -Make sure to coordinate w ith
JOSEPH CEA
the pum p operator (either by hand signals or radio) relative to the desired water flow rate. -Take into account weather con ditions (especially in w inter) and apparatus tra ffic on the fire ground when deploying hoses. Since the cross lays (these are hoses that span across the w idth of the apparatus) are ty p i cally the firs t hoses to be taken off it is im portant to m ention the deploym ent of these lines sepa rately. Most cross lay hoses have tw o sets of loops. A highly effective m ethod w ould be to have each of tw o firefig hte rs take one set of loops and back
away at an angle in a “ V” pattern thus quickly deploying the hose w ith very little chance of entan glement. A lthough there is a lot of infor mation to learn relative to the d if ferent types of hoses (their uses), inspection and deploy ment ultimately you w ill be a bet ter firefig hte r fo r know ing and incorporating as much inform a tio n as possible. This is espe cially true when considering that on any given day you could be an officer or at some point in yo ur career “ graduate” to a driver/pum p operator. - JOSEPH CEA
December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
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WORKING FACES To se e y o u r F a c e s in the n e w sp a p e r u p lo ad th em on o u r w e b site w w w .lstR e sp o n d e rN e w s.c o m o r em a il th em to L in d sey @ ls tR e s p o n d e rN e w s .c o m
MIDDLESEX HOSE COMPAHY
Fire and rescue crews deploy boats and dive teams during a coordinated water search operation.
Kayaker Found Dead After Middlesex Rescue Effort JU M PT0H l£#102925103 V jr JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER/SIDEWINDER PHOTOGRAPHY
Asst. Chief Jeff Stehr of the Defreestville Fire Department.
A kayaking outing turned tragic Thursday morning, October 16th, when emergency crews responded to reports of a kayaker in distress on a local waterway. At approximately 10:30 a.m., the Middlesex Fire Department was dispatched to the scene but was un able to locate the individual upon arrival. A large-scale search opera tion was quickly launched, with as sistance from the Branchport-Keuka Park Fire De partment Dive Team and later the Ontario County Dive Team. After extensive efforts by mul-
m
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tiple responding agencies, the indi vidual was found deceased and safely recovered. The Middlesex Fire Depart ment extended heartfelt condo lences to the victim’s family and friends, and expressed appreciation for the teamwork and professional ism shown by all assisting agencies. All units were cleared from the scene by approximately 5:00 p.m. Responding agencies included
Middlesex Fire Department, Mid dlesex Ambulance, Medic 62, Rushville Fire Department, Branch port-Keuka Park Fire Department (Dive Team), Cheshire Fire Boat, Canandaigua Fire Boat, Yates County Sheriff’s Department, On tario County Sheriff’s Department, Ontario County Office of Emer gency Management, Yates County Office of Emergency Management, and Guthrie Air Medical. -COURTESY OF MIDDLESEX HOSE CO.
MIDDLESEX HOSE COMPAHY
Guthrie Air Medical on scene to assist w ith emergency response efforts during the incident. JEFFREY BELSCHWIHDER/SIDEWIHDER PHOTOGRAPHY
Firefighter Tim O'Connor of the Defreestville FD operating 9-7.
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December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
DRILLS FROM AROUND THE STATE To see your Drills in the newspaper upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindseyw! lstResponderNews.com.
CAMRRIA FIRE COMPANY
GENOAVOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, NY
The Genoa Volunteer Fire Department, located at 10015 State Route 90, wrapped up its tw o-day “ Big W ater” train in g exercise on the weekend of October 18th, bringing together fire departm ents from Battalions 5 and 6 fo r both classroom and hands-on instruction. The hands-on evolution, held in the Village of Aurora, sim ulated a sustained rural w ater-supply operation. W orking in coordination w ith the Aurora Volunteer Fire Department, crew s drafted from Cayuga Lake to avoid tapping m unicipal w ater sources during the region’s d ry stretch.
The Cambria Fire Company participated in a jo in t training exercise W ednesday night, O ctober 2nd, a longside n eighboring depart ments, focusing on pre-planning operations fo r high-rise fa cilitie s w ithin the region. Truck 8, Engine 4, and the Cambria ambulance to o k part in the session, w hich was held in a nearby d is tric t to en hance preparedness fo r potential large-scale incidents. Crews re view ed b u ild in g layouts, access p oints, and co ordin atio n strategies to ensure e fficient and safe operations should an emer gency occur. Participating agencies included Lockport Firefight ers, South Lockport Fire Co., Inc., and W rights C orners Fire Company. Cambria Fire emphasized the im portance of m utual aid training, noting that interdepartm ental cooperation is key to effec tive emergency response.
CORTLANDVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT ANGELICA FIRE AND RESCUE
A thorough vehicle-stabilization and extrication train in g session was conducted at the Angelica Fire and Rescue station Friday m orning, October 18th. In collaboration w ith the Belfast Fire Department, the exercise was led by Tony and Mike, representatives of Fire Rescue Products. During the drills, crew s used the departm ent’s newly upgraded Paratech Rescue Strut System and Rescue A irbags — equipm ent designed to stabilize vehicles and safely remove trapped occupants.
On O ctober 14th, the m em bers of the C ortlan d ville Fire Depart ment participated in a tra in in g session focused on the use of Holm atro rescue to o ls and va riou s techniques fo r vehicle extraction. The departm ent extended special thanks to C ontento’s fo r gener o u s ly p ro vid in g the tra in in g g ro u n d s and donating ve hicles fo r the exercise.
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
December, 2025
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DRIIIS/TRAINING To se e y o u r D rills in th e n e w sp a p e r u p lo ad th em on o u r w e b site w w w .lstR e sp o n d e rN e w s.c o m or em ail them to L in d sey @ ls tR e s p o n d e rN e w s .c o m
VARYSBURG VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT
Katonah Ladder 39 set up for chimney access during the daytime incident.
Bedford Fire Responds to Two Chimney Fires in One Week October 14, 2025 — The Bed ford Fire Department responded to two chimney fires in less than a week, marking the beginning of what firefighters caution is peak season for such incidents. The first occurred on Sunday, October 5th, when crews were dis patched to a residence on Reynolds Lane for a reported chimney fire. Automatic mutual aid was pro vided by the Katonah Fire Depart ment, with Ladder 39 and Tanker 6 responding. Car 2042 determined a blocked flue was causing heavy smoke throughout the home. Crews from Engine 109 and En gine 110 worked to ventilate and meter the structure, while the lad der crew assisted in cleaning the chimney stack. Just days later, on Thursday, October 9th, Bedford firefighters were dispatched to another chim ney fire — this time on Bedford Center Road. Mutual aid was pro vided by the Bedford Flills Fire
The Varysburg Volunteer FD held a joint training drill on October 20th on Dunham Road, focusing on pumping, water supply, and tanker operations. The department expressed appreciation to the Attica Fire Department, North Java Fire Company, Sheldon Fire Company, and the Warsaw Fire De partment and Rescue Squad for providing water support during the exercise. Special thanks were also extended to the Harris Corners Fire Department for standing by at the station to ensure contin ued coverage. Varysburg firefighters used the opportunity to refresh critical operational skills and strengthen coordination among neighboring departments. The department also thanked Eric Hibsch for allowing the use of the training area and the local com m unity for their patience during the drill.
Bob Long
TO file #102925125
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Department, which responded with Tower Ladder 57 and Tanker 5. Car 2041 confirmed a working chim ney fire on arrival, and crews quickly extinguished the blaze, cleared debris, and ventilated the home. Responding units included: Car 2041, Car 2042, Car 2043, En gine 109, Engine 110, Ambulance 52-B2, Katonah FD Car 2211, Car 2212, Car 2213, Ladder 39, Tanker 6, Bedford Flills FD Tower Ladder 57, and Tanker 5. The Bedford Fire Department reminds residents to have their chimneys inspected and cleaned annually to prevent dangerous blockages and potential fires dur ing the colder months. -COURTESY OF BEDFORD FIRE DEPT.
"Today’s 3-year-olds can sw itch on laptops and open their favorite apps. W hen I w as 3, I ate m ud!”
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December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
WORKING FACES To see your Faces in the newspaper upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
The frie n d ly faces of the C linton Heights Fire Department.
ANGELICA FIRE AND RESCUE
Early-Morning Blaze Engulfs Building in Angelica ANGELICA, N.Y. - Early Friday m orning, October 17th, the Angelica Fire and Rescue responded to a structure fire at 129 South Main Street in Belfast, w here the firs t a rriving chief reported the building fu lly involved. When AL51, AGO, BFO, FT1, and BF01 units arrived on dispatch at 06:05, they discovered severe fire cond itio ns. W hile co ordinating w ith incident com m and fo r water supply and ventilation operations, crew s acted s w iftly to establish a fire attack and safeguard adjacent structures.
JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER/SIDEWINDER PHOTOGRAPHY
FLASHBACK If you have photos you would like to see in our “Flashback” feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
DEPOSIT FIRE DEPARTMENT
JEFFREY BELSCHWIHDER/SIDEWIHDER PHOTOGRAPHY
This image from August of 2011 show s the LifeNet of New York crew from Sidney, New York, alongside firefig hte rs and emergency medical services from the Deposit Fire Department. The departm ent was sw itching from the old brown-and-orange bunker gear to the current tan-and-yellow gear when the photo w as taken.
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SELDEN, NY - On October 26th, the Selden Fire Departm ent w as activated fo r a reported house fire on Sunset Ave. 5-25-30 got on the road and dispatch n otified 30 that they were receiving m ultiple calls. A Selden member arrived on scene and notifie d dispatch that there was a w orking fire. 5-25-30 also arrived on scene and confirm ed the w orking fire. -
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1st Responder Newspaper - NY
LONG ISLANf IN SERVICE
ADVERTISER
INDEX
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CORPORATE INFORMATION 1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - New York edition - Vol. 27 No. 12 - is published monthly, 12 times a year for $48 per year by Belsito Communica tions, Inc., 1 Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY 12553. Periodicals Postage Paid at Newburgh, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to 1st Responder News, 1 Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY 12553. No financial responsibility is assumed by this newspaper to publish a display, clas sified, or legal ad or for ty pographi * m . com munications, inc. cal errors except o f reprinting that part o f the ad which was omit ted or in error. Omissions or errors must be brought to the attention o f the newspaper during the same month o f publication. Printed in Canada.
BRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY
Babylon Fire Department Engine 1-2-6 operating on a recent re ported private dwelling fire.
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Babylon Fire Department Tower Ladder 1-2-8 operating on a recent reported private dwelling fire.
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Working Garage Fire Quickly Controlled in Brookhaven BROOKHAVEN, NY - On October 20th, the Brookhaven Fire De partment was activated for a reported garage fire. 5-3-31 ar rived on scene, found heavy fire coming from a garage and quickly transmitted the working fire. Bellport Engine 5 arrived on scene and stretched a line to knock down all fire. Brookhaven and mutual aid companies also arrived on scene and helped extinguish fire and start primary searches. The scene was placed under control within one hour.
BRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY
Babylon Fire Department Engine 1-2-3 operating on a recent re ported private dwelling fire.
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
December, 2025
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LONG ISLAND] Selden FD Battles Heavy Fire Through the Roof on Sunset Ave. SELDEN, NY - On October 26th, the Selden Fire Department was activated for a reported house fire on Sunset Ave. 5-25-30 got on the road and dispatch notified 30 that they were receiving mul tiple calls. A Selden mem ber arrived on scene and notified dis patch that there was a working fire. 525-30 also arrived on scene and con firmed the working fire. 5-25-11 ar rived on scene, stretched a line and started extin guishing the fire; 30 then decided to pull all firefighters out of the house and started exterior opera tions. About 20 minutes later, the fire was knocked down and crews went back inside to start over haul. The scene was placed under control within two hours later. - PARKER AUSTIN
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December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
BRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY
A tla n tic Steamer FC Dual Wetdown
PAUSTIHFIREPHOTOS
OYSTER BAY, NY - On Sunday, November 2nd, the Atlantic Steamer Fire Company hosted a wet down ceremony for Lad der 551 and Tanker 5511. The new rigs are a 2024 Pierce En forcer 107’ Ascendent rear-mount and a 2024 Kenworth T880/Rosenbauer Pumper/Tanker.
STILL IN SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our “Still in Service” feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
PAUSTINFIREPHOTOS
JOHH WALTHERS- SUFFOLK FIRE PHOTOS
Massapequa Brush Truck 6325, a 1995 Ford F Super Duty/American Rural, is still currently in service, but due for replacement soon.
Basement Fire Quickly Contained in Brookhaven BROOKHAVEN, NY - On October 12th, the Brookhaven Fire Department was activated for a reported automatic fire alarm; 5-3-30 got on the road and firecom notified him that they were getting reports for a basement fire at the same location. 5-3-30 got on scene, had smoke show ing and reactivated the working fire. Mastic Engine 1 was first due, stretched a line and extin guished all fire. More crews responded in and started doing overhaul. The scene was placed under control within two-and-a-half hours.
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s la n d M e t r o
FIRE/EMS EXPO
January 30 - February 1,2026 Nassau Coliseum | Uniondale, NY Three days of exhibits and education on Long Island for fire/EMS personnel of all ranks. Tickets: $25 per person/day! Hosted by and to benefit Islip Town Fire/EMS Museum Educational Center & NYSAFC
www.nysfirechiefs.com /liexpo
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December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
Thank you Charlie Brown C haplain’s Corner Didymus McHugh
T ’was the night before Christ mas and all through the house...People have been reading this poem for years and associating it with a figure that was designed by a soda company. We look for ward to watching a video about a reindeer that has problems with his nose, an elf that wants to become a dentist, a snowman that comes to life by putting a hat on him and also a grandmother that was in a terrible accident involving a fat man, with a white beard, in a red suit riding in a sleigh with animals pulling it. We spend so much money dec orating our houses with lights and other things. We have made this into a holiday o f going into debt buying so many things that people may or may not want. We have con tests as far as who has the ugliest sweater and how much did that ugly sweater cost? But as a young man asked years ago to his friends, “doesn’t anyone know the meaning of Christmas?!” Well, his friend ex plained it so well in 1965 and as long as they show the cartoon, we will know, that is if we really pay attention. It was from the Bible, Luke 2:8-20 to be specific: “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel o f the Lord stood before them, and the glory o f the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for be hold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all peo ple. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city o f David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. .And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” .And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude o f the heav enly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, .And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one an other, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” .And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph,
and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. .And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds re turned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.” Let us remember that this season celebrates God humbling himself to be among us so that He can die for our sins. It is that He wants a rela tionship with us. He is the greatest present of the season. When we put up lights to deco rate our house and the trees that we bring into our house, let us remem ber that He is the light of the world, showing us the difference between living in darkness and walking in the light. Why is it that we have to be re minded that the world does not re volve around receiving all mounds o f gifts when we can be content with the best gift ever? The best thing that I have seen was the lawn decoration of the fat man in the red suit bowing down and worshiping at the manger that our Lord was laid in. Christmas is the time that the church has chosen to celebrate the birth o f Jesus the Christ. The date was chosen to align more with the pagans winter solstice so that not too many people would get upset. Now we see that so many people have re moved the reason that we celebrate the holiday to start with. It seems that so many shows that people are forgetting the true things in life. Remember that Jesus came here with a mission that He had to carry out and He did it successfully. Will you carry out your mission that God may have for you, or will you turn your back on Him and the love that He has for you? That is between you and God. Please have a good Christmas. I know that some of you may go to church, so may feel forced to go but open up your ears and listen to what is said. I know that others may help feed in a shelter and other people may be on shift, working the job that pays the bills. I may not be able to see you all but all of you are cared for. Merry CHRISTmas! .And as the innocent children would say “Happy Birthday Jesus!” Stay Safe, Didymus McHugh didymus-mchugh.com
PAUSTINFIREPHOTOS
PAUSUNFIREPHOTOS
PAUSTINFIREPHOTOS
Coram Fire Dept. Hosts Open House CORAM, NY - On October 5th, the Coram Fire Department hosted their open house.
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
December, 2025
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BUDDY SHOT If you have photos you would like to see in our “Buddy Shot” feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com
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PAUSTINFIREPHUTOS
Yaphank members in attendance at an event at the Longwood High School.
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Hampton Bays Fire Dept. Hosts Fire Prevention Open House HAMPTON BAYS, NY - On Saturday, September 20th, the Hampton Bays Fire Department hosted a fire prevention open house at their headquarters. The department had their fleet on display and conducted a live demonstration of an auto extrication.
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December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
LONG ISLANi T Engine 32 on Scene - True Stories from an Inner-City Firehouse ON THE BOOK SHELF by John Malecky
Engine 32 on Scene True Stories from an InnerCity Firehouse By Capt. Norm Ortner Available from: FSP Books 433 Main Street, Suite 2A Hudson, MAO 1749 1-800-522-8528 Email: support@fire-policeems.com www.fire-police-ems.com Price: $19.99 This is a soft cover book measuring 5 14 by 8 lA inches, with 132 pages. It is memoirs written by the author who served in the Lynwood, California Fire Department. The stories span from the late 1970’s through the 1990’s. At the time, the city had about 60,000 population within five-square-miles. It eventually got absorbed into the Los Angeles County Fire Department. After the acknowledgements and intro duction there are 30 chapters. All are brief, but I can tell the reader that this is a very well written page turner. As with any fire de partment that responds to EMS
calls besides fires, the majority of the stories are EMS related but hold onto your chair. A number of these stories are almost unbeliev able, horrible and criminal. One in particular is about a call involving PCP, also known as angle dust. It is very educational in how PCP af fects the human body. While I was in the fire department, I worked part time with an ambulance serv ice for 24 years which ended 30 years ago. I never dealt with a pa tient affected by PCP and it was a real eye opener to read how mind altering it is along with physical effects. Engine 32 is a three-man company. They have a truck com pany that is only manned by a driver. The stories told had me wondering if the captain lived in this town, but I do not believe he did. The author is an excellent writer and each chapter has a note in brackets in the upper left corner of the page giving a hint on what the stories are inside. As is stated on the back cover, the types of people who would find this book interesting are young people aspir ing to work in fire and/or EMS, new firefighters seeking to see what types of calls may be in their future, veteran firefighters, ordi nary citizens and anyone who likes reading about action-packed sto ries. There are several black and white action photos, plus one of the front of Engine 32’s quarters. For the price it is well worth it, and it should not take long to read.
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Southampton Fire Dept. 42nd Annual Antique Muster & Parade SOUTHAMPTON, NY - On Saturday, September 6th, the Southampton Fire Department hosted its 42nd annual antique fire apparatus parade and muster. Various fire departments from across Long Island participated.
December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
I A ^ i_ c l\f D A I \f i In t h e m a r k e t f o r a m id - o r r e a r - m o u n t e d t o w e r ?
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lOO' Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower T a k e a lo o k a t t h e n e w P ie r c e ® A s c e n d a n t ® 1 0 0 ' H e a v y - D u t y A e r ia l T o w e r !
R e a c h in g h e ig h ts o f 1 0 0 ' v e r t ic a ll y
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December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
PATCH OF THE MONTH If you have photos you would like to see in our “Patch o f the month “feature please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.
DAVID BURNS/@FD4D
Busy Friday Night for FDNY EUGENE WEBER JR.
BROOKLYN, NY - Friday night, October 18th, was a busy one for New York's Bravest, starting with a Queens All-Hands fire at an e-bike store that seriously injured one civilian. Next up was a Brooklyn 2nd Alarm warehouse fire in Flatbush along with two simultaneous All-Hands in Brook lyn. Several Manhattan and Queens companies were relocated to Brooklyn during the incidents.
This patch belongs to FDNY Engine 72, located in Bronx County, NY.
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1st Responder Newspaper - NY
December, 2025
PAGE 41
Gas Explosion Blows Through NYC Apartment Building, Sends Debris Flying to Street BRONX, NY - A massive gas explosion blew a huge chunk out of a Bronx public housing build ing Wednesday morning, October 1st, sending bricks raining down onto the sidewalk and leaving a gaping hole in the facade. The 8:10 a.m. blast at the high-rise at the Mitchel Houses project on Alexander Avenue near
Jump to file #100125151
*6 30 East 135th Street left a 20-story gash along a corner of the build ing, and sent firefighters scram bling to the scene, officials said. - DAVID BURNS m
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DAVID DURNS/@FD4D
DAVID DURNS/@FD4D
DAVID DURNS/@FD4D
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December, 2025
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
DAVID DURNS/@FD4D
DAVID DURNS/@FD4D
DAVID DURNS/@FD4D
Collapse Injures Firefighters in Brooklyn BROOKLYN, NY - Several New York City Firefighters sus tained injuries battling a 2nd alarm fire in a 2-story home in the East New York section of Brook lyn early Friday evening, October 10th. In only 14 minutes, firefight ers successfully knocked down most of the flames and started searching for any civilian who might have been trapped. Then,
J ump to file #101125136
f t suddenly, the firefighters became trapped. "The structural beams have been weakened due to that large volume of fire in there. We're all with bunker gear on, about 300 pounds, I would guess with bunker gear and equipment on so
again, there's a heavy load there, not knowing that there was struc tural damage, because we didn't get a chance to open up some of the fire areas yet. That's when the collapse occurred," said FDNY Assistant Chief Mike Meyers. Those injuries were non-lifethreatening, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. - DAVID BURNS
DAVID RURNS/@FD4D
FDNY B a tta lio n C hief Eugene T. K elty, Jr. Honored QUEENS, NY - On October 4th, a street was dedicated to the memory of FDNY Battalion Chief Eugene T. Kelty, Jr. Kelty, a retired FDNY battalion chief, died at 70 on March 16th of cancer he contracted while working the pile at the World Trade Center in the days and weeks after the 9-11 attacks. This member bravely served the department, protecting life and property in the City of New York in the rescue and re covery at Manhattan Box 5-5-8087 World Trade Center. Kelty and his brother, Jim, also a member of New York's Bravest, were playing golf on a day off when word came that the city was under attack and immediately made their way into Man hattan. His first assignment was with Engine Co. 257 in Brooklyn. He finished his career with Battalion 10 in the Yorkville area of Manhattan.
DAVID DURNS/@FD4D
Michael V Meyers (Chief of Training) was the Incident Commander and Clare Bourke, FDNY Press Secretary, was on scene coordinating media coverage.
1st Responder Newspaper - NY
December, 2025
PAGE 43
FDNY Welcomes New EMTs and Honors Retiring Chief M ichael J. Fields BROOKLYN, NY - FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker presided over a graduation cere mony for Probationary Emer gency Medical Technicians on Tuesday, October 22nd, at the Christian Cultural Center. During the Cer emony, Commis sioner Tucker announced that Chief of EMS Op erations Michael J Fields, a 30-year veteran of the de partment, will be retiring. Tucker then presented him with certificate honoring his dedication and invaluable service to the department. - DAVID BURNS
DAVID DURNS/@FD4D
EMS graduates
DAVID DURNS/@FD4D
Commissioner Tucker, Chief Fields, Bravo Class Valedictorian Caroline McCarthy and Chief of De partment John M Esposito
DAVID DURNS/@FD4D
EMS Chief Fields and FDNY Commissioner Tucker
December, 2025
r Responder Newspaper - NY