1st Responder News New York February Edition

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The New York Edition

PUBLISHING SINCE 1993

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FEBRUARY,2026

JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER/ SIDEW INDER PHOTOGRAPHY

ALBANY, NY - O n D ecem ber 4, 2025, at 11:48 a.m., m u ltip le c a lls p o u re d into th e C ity of A lb a n y ’s Em erg en cy C o m m u n ic a tio n s C enter re p o rtin g a w e ll-in v o lv e d structure fire at 239 W estern Avenue, w ith m u ltip le rep o rts of entrapm ent in s id e th e b u ild in g . E n g in e 10, E n g in e 7, E n g in e 2, E n g in e 11, T ruck 3, T ruck 2, M ohawk A m b ula n ce S erv ice, R e sc ue 1, th e B a tta lio n C h ie f, an d th e R e sc ue S qua d re sp o n de d to th e scene. ■

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February, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

JEFFREY ARN0LD/@FIREPH0T025

ROR MCCORMICK

Fatal MVA on State Route 9W in Town of Newburgh NEWBURGH, NY - On Fri­ day morning, December 26, 2025, Town o f Newburgh Police re­ sponded to a motor vehicle acci­ dent on State Route 9W in the area o f AGL Welding. M iddlehope FD and Town o f Newburgh EM S re­ sponded with three ambulances. M edics requested a medevac for one o f the drivers. A landing zone was set up in the old ShopRite parking lot on State Route 32. M iddlehope and Cronomer Valley Fire Departments

J ump to file #010126119

3§> established the landing zone, and the medevac landed. The patient was transported to the landing zone by Town o f Newburgh EMS and was being stabilized prior to flight. The medevac departed the area, and EMS transported the pa­ tient to Montefiore St. Luke’ s H os­ pital, where he was declared DOA.

Town o f Newburgh EM S also transported two other individuals to the hospital. State Route 9W was closed while Town o f Newburgh D etec­ tives and the ID Unit were on scene. The New York State Police Reconstruction Team was called to reconstruct the scene. Town o f Newburgh Police are investigating the cause. - BOB MCCORMICK

JEFFREY ARN0LD/@FIREPH0T025

S tructure F ire in M ount M orris MOUNT M ORRIS, NY - On Saturday, Decem ber 11, 2025, Mount M orris and L e icester-C u yle rv ille fire departm ents re­ sp o n de d to a structure fire in the rear of 80 C ha pel Street. The blaze was bro ught was under control in about 45 m in ­ utes. G eneseo fire fig h te rs w ere p la c e d on standby d u rin g the in cid e n t. L iv in g s to n C ounty Em ergency Management was in v e s tig a tin g the cause.

ROR MCCORMICK

Responder Newspaper - NY

February, 2026

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February, 2026

PA GE 4

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

ADVERTISER INDEX C om pany

Page

A r m o r T u ff F lo o r in g

13

C a m p b e ll S u p p ly C o .

1,44

F I R E 2026

25 BINGHAMTON FIRE DEPARTMENT.

F ir e m a t ic S u p p ly C o .

11,39

LOCH SHELDRAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Bingham ton F ire fig h te rs and P o lic e Rescue Trapped

G a r r is o n F ir e & R e s c u e

11

J e r o m e F ir e E q u ip m e n t

11

K im t e k C o rp .

15

M id A t la n t ic R e s c u e

5

R a y n o r G a r a g e D o o rs

21

S in g le F in G o lf C o .

40

S t a t e L in e F ir e & S a fe t y

23

S q u irre l on C hristm as Day BINGHAM TON, NY - T he B in g h a m to n F ire D epartm ent re­ s p o n d e d to an u n u s u a l re sc u e in v o lv in g a s q u irr e l in da nger e a rlie r o n D ecem ber 25, 2025. F o llo w in g re p o rts of an a n im a l tra p p e d o n th e e dg e of a tra sh, Q u in t 2, G ro u p B w as sent out. W hen fire m e n a rriv e d , the y d is c o v e re d th e s q u irre l's hea d s tu c k in a tin y d ra in ho le. P o lic e m oved q u ic k ly to start th e firs t e x tric a tio n p ro c e d u re s before th e fire departm ent c o u ld a rriv e . F ire fig h te rs u se d p a tie n c e an d care to sa fe ly free th e a n im a l w ith o u t c a u s in g injury. O nce re le a se d , the s q u irr e l q u ic k ly ran off, a p p e a rin g unharm ed.

LOCH SHELDRAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT S u tp h e n

3

CORPORATE INFORMATION 1st Responder N ew s (ISSN 1525-1683) - New York edition - Vol. 27 No. 2 - is published monthly, 12 times a year for $48 per year by Belsito Communications, Inc., 1 Ardmore Street, N ew 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, N ew Windsor, NY 12553. No financial re-

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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. O m issions or errors must be brought to the attention o f the newspaper during the same month o f publication. Printed in Canada.

PURLICATION CONTENT Notice: The advertisements, articles, and letters contained in this pub­ lication do not necessarily reflect the views o f 1st Responder Inc. and Belsito Communications, Inc. Advertisements are sold pursuant to the “ space available” and corresponding fee schedule. The mere fact that advertisements are contained in this publication does not express nor im ply that 1st Responder Inc. and B elsito Communications, Inc. vouches for the c re dibility o f the claims made in the advertisements or the representations expressed or im plied in them.

SHAKER R0AD-L0UD0NVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

S haker R o a d-L o udo nville F ire Departm ent Responds to R o llo v e r A c c id e n t ALBANY, NY - On the afternoon of D ecem ber 16, 2025, fire ­ fig h te rs from the S hake r R o a d - L o u d o n v ille F ire D epartm ent a rriv e d at a ro llo v e r car a c c id e n t a c ro ss from S ta tio n 1. At a ro u n d 4:25 p.m., th e c a ll w as re ce iv e d. W hen fire m e n a r­ rive d , the y d is c o v e re d that the car's o ccu p a n ts had a lre a dy self-extricated. T here w ere no re p o rte d s e rio u s in ju rie s . To ru le out any ris k s , s u c h as f lu id le aks or o ther safety issu e s, crew s e x a m in e d th e car an d its s u rro u n d in g s . F ire fig h te rs evacuated th e area after v e rify in g it was stable, an d no m ore h e lp was needed. After that, the C o lo n ie P o lic e D epartm ent was g iv e n the s itu a tio n to handle.

Fast Fireground Actions Save Loch Sheldrake Home L O C H SHELDRAKE, N Y The L och Sheldrake Fire Depart­ ment credited quick action and strong com m unication for saving a residence during a fire response on D ecem ber 10, 2025. Firefighters from the Woodbourne and L och Sheldrake fire departments w orked together to control the incident, preventing significant dam age to the home. An assistant ch ief from the Manor Fire Department, who was w ork­ ing in town at the time, identified the situation as a w orking fire and promptly notified dispatch.

J ump t o file #122225100

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L och Sheldrake officials also thanked the H urleyville Fire D e ­ partment for providin g standby coverage at LSFD, along with Fire Investigators Fink and Hawker and em ployees from the Town o f Fallsburg for their assistance dur­ ing the incident. - C O U R T ES Y OF LOCH S H E L D R A K E F IR E DEPT.

1ST Responder Newspaper - NY

February, 2026

PAGE 5

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1st Responder Newspaper - NY

1 "R e sp o n d er

In memory of those who gave a ll

New spaper 1 A R D M O R E S T R E E T •N E W W IN D S O R , N Y 12553 845-534-7500 •(fax) 845-534-0055 •N e w s @ 1 s t R e s p o n d e r N e w s .c o m

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JOCBelsitO (Joe® 1stRespondernews.com) G EN ERA L MANAGER

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Lindsey Palmer (Lindsey® IstResponderNews.com) PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Ashley Ramos (Ashley® 1stResponderNews.com)

1st Responder Newspaper honors and remembers

OPERATIONAL MANAGER

emergency responders lost in the lin e of duty

Nicholas BelsitO (Nicholas@1stResponderNews.com) DISPATCHER RECRUITMENT & RETENTION (Rich® 1stResponder.com)

EDITORIAL STAFF COLUM NISTS Rick Billings (Cartoon) Bob Long (Cartoon) John Malecky (Apparatus, Bookshelf) Didymus McHugh (Chaplain's Corner) Fernando Villicana (Chaplain's Corner)

CORRESPONDENTS Jeffrey Arnold •Parker Austin •John Bechtold •Jeffrey Belschwinder •

New York: James G. Sitek, 68 Rank: Chief

New York: Jason McGlone, 51

Incident Date: July 4, 2025 Death Date: July 4, 2025 Fire Department: West Colesville Fire Company Initial Summary: During the early morning hours o f

Rank: Assistant Chief Incident Date: July 17, 2025 Death Date: July 17,2025 Fire Department: East Branch Fire Department Initial Summary: Assistant C h ief Jason M cG lon e ar­

July 4,2025, Chief James Sitek responded to a house

rived at the scene o f a crash involving a m otor vehi­

fire. While on scene, Chief Sitek reported that he was

cle and a utility pole at approximately 9:30 p.m. on

not feeling well and collapsed shortly after. Emergency

July 17, 2025. Shortly after arriving, Assistant C h ief

personnel immediately provided care. Chief Sitek was

M cG lone repositioned the pum per rescue truck he

•Russell Curley •Vinnie Dominick •Patrick D ’ Onofrio •Bob Faugh •

transported to the hospital. Despite efforts from medical

was driving to distance his vehicle from sagging e le c­

Bradley Fowler •John Greco •Paul Harrington •Gary Hearn •Ron Jeffers •

professionals, he was pronounced deceased that morn­

trical wires. However, he was unaware that the wires

ing.

had becom e entangled with the apparatus and were in

Brian Berkey •David Bums •Mike Carey •Mlichael Contaxis •Jeff Crianza

Lany Kensinger •B ob Krajicek •Connor Krueger •Jeff Levine •Stan De Long •Chuck Lowe •Tom Mlarra •Bob McCormick •Randy Mbntour • 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

EDITORIAL INFORMATION Join our team o f correspondents or columnists! 1st Responder N ewspaper w elcom es subm issions by our readers. Send stories and photos to us at 1Ard­ more St. N ew Windsor, NY 12553. Or, giv e us a call or send us an e-mail. If using the mail, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for all sub­ m issions you wash to have returned. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any editorial or advertising material submitted.

contact with the vehicle's roof. Assistant C h ief M c­

Louisiana: Jonathan Ashworth, 23 Rank: Firefighter/Operator Incident Date: July 15, 2025 Death Date: July 15, 2025

responding to an emergency medical call at approxi­

ceased.

vehicle left the roadway and crashed. He was fatally in­

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CIRCULATION INFORMATION 1st Responder Newspaper is delivered to all fire, rescue, ambulance stations and hospitals. I f you do not receive your papers, please contact our circulation department. H om e subscriptions are $36 per year.

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GRAPHIC DESIGN/MARKETING 1st Responder N ews’ graphics team w ill work with you on your adver­ tisement free o f charge. A ddition­ ally, w e offer a com plete marketing department for all o f your printed . communications, inc. needs. Whether they are posters, or single sheet handouts, full color or black and white, n o one else delivers the high quality work at our competitive prices. A s a newspaper in the Belsito Com m unications Inc. family, 1st Responder N ews has a state-of-the-art production facility which utilizes the latest scan­ ning technology available. Materials are processed using Power Macintosh G4s. Output is handled on our HP C olor LaserJet 8500 to produce this highest quality black and white or color prints on the market.

845-534-7500 ext. 214 •(fax) 845-534-0055 ln f o @ B e ls it o . c o m

(AED). Despite these efforts, Assistant C h ief M c­

mately 3:35 a.m. on July 15, 2025, when his personal jured in the crash and pronounced deceased at the scene.

845-534-7500 ext. 211 •(fax) 845-534-0055

C P R and the use o f an automatic external defibrillator G lone could not be revived and was pronounced de­

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can benefit your com pany call our advertising hotline at:

tempts to resuscitate Assistant C h ief M cG lon e with

Fire Department: Beauregard Parish Fire District 4 Initial Summary: Firefighter Jonathan Ashworth was

845-534-7500 ext. 212 •(fax) 845-534-0055

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G lone was electrocuted when he exited the rescue pumper. Personnel on-scene immediately began at­

Wisconsin: Amie S. Lee, 61 Rank: Firefighter-Safety Officer Incident Date: July 1, 2025 Death Date: July 14,2025

Connecticut: Raymond "Ray" A. Moreau, 60 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: July 27, 2025 Death Date: July 27, 2025 Fire Department: Plainville Fire Department Initial Summary: On July 27, 2025, at approximately 6:20 a.m., the Plainville Fire Department was dispatched

Fire Department: Van Dyne Fire Department Initial Summary: On July 1, 2025, Firefighter-Safety

to a residential structure fire. Multiple fire units from the

Officer Amie Lee was working in the fire station when

Raymond Moreau was working on scene and standing

she fell and suffered a serious knee injury. About two

outside the house when a piece from a nearby fire appa­

Plainville Fire Department arrived on scene. Firefighter

weeks later, Firefighter-Safety Officer Lee reported dif­

ratus broke free and struck him, causing catastrophic in­

ficulty breathing while at home during the early morning

juries to his leg. Firefighter Moreau was transported to a

hours o f July 14. Emergency personnel provided care on

hospital where he succumbed to his injuries during sur­

the scene before transporting Firefighter-Safety Officer

gery.

Lee to the hospital, where she was pronounced de­ ceased. The suspected cause o f death is pulmonary em­ bolism caused by a blood clot from the knee injury sustained at the fire station.

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

February, 2026

PAGE 7

A lbany F ire fig h te rs Rescue 3 V ic tim s from 2nd Alarm F ire on W estern Avenue ALBANY, NY - On December 4, 2025, at 11:48 a.m., multiple calls poured into the City o f A l­ bany’ s Emergency Com m unica­ tions Center reporting a well-involved structure fire at 239 Western Avenue, with multiple re­ ports o f entrapment inside the building. Engine 10, Engine 7, En­ gine 2, Engine 11, Truck 3, Truck 2, Mohawk Ambulance Service, Rescue 1, the Battalion Chief, and the Rescue Squad responded to the scene. As units were responding, a heavy plume o f black smoke was visible throughout the city from the fire location. Engine 10 im me­ diately contacted the dispatcher and advised they had a Signal 30, requesting the frequency be dedi­ cated prior to their arrival. Engine 11 arrived on scene and im m edi­ ately transmitted a second alarm after encountering heavy fire pushing from the front o f the structure, with a second building also on fire and confirmed entrap­ ment o f multiple individuals. Firefighters immediately de­ ployed an inch-and-three-quarter handline and began knocking down heavy fire at the front o f the structure. Despite suppression ef­ forts, heavy fire continued to con ­ sume both the front and interior o f the building. While crews were operating, a person on the second floor jumped from a window to es­ cape the extreme fire conditions inside. On the second alarm as­ signment, Engine 1, Engine 9, and Truck 4 were requested to the scene. Engine l l ’ s officer notified the dispatcher o f confirm ed en­ trapment, reporting multiple p eo­ ple trapped on the second floor with heavy fire throughout. Fire­ fighters quickly threw ladders to the Bravo side o f the structure as crews made an aggressive interior push. Firefighters operating on the second floor located a victim and dragged the individual out o f the heavily involved structure. M edics from Mohawk Ambulance Service immediately took over patient care, placed the victim on a stretcher, and rushed them to an awaiting ambulance. Command requested additional ambulances, as reports indicated more victims were still trapped inside. Firefighters continued aggres­ sive interior operations and knock­ down efforts while conducting a primary search. Comm and was able to confirm through the first victim that three additional people remained trapped inside the struc­ ture. During operations in the pri­ mary fire building, a d og was rescued from the exposure build­ ing. Police officers immediately assisted in reviving the dog and administering oxygen.

Jump to file #122825151

m $0 I &

Comm and requested a third advanced life support ambulance and Rescue 9, as victims were still unaccounted for. Firefighters o p ­ erating in the exposure building encountered heavy fire in the cockloft and requested a handline to the second floor. Crews began pulling ceilings after fire from the primary structure extended into the secondary building. Truck company firefighters accessed the roof o f the exposure building and initiated horizontal ventilation. Exterior crews also conducted horizontal ventilation to assist in­ terior operations in both buildings. As operations continued, heavy brown smoke pushed from the roof o f the primary structure, and turbulent smoke was observed com ing from the eaves o f the sec­ ondary building. Firefighters noti­ fied command they were exiting with a second victim and required assistance. Multiple firefighters entered the structure, met crews on the upper floor, and assisted in carrying the victim dow n the stairs. EMTs immediately brought a stretcher to the front o f the building and transported the v ic ­ tim to an ambulance while CPR was initiated. Firefighters operating on the second floor o f the exposure building requested an additional handline due to heavy fire in the attic area. A third victim was sub­ sequently removed from the struc­ ture and transported to Albany M edical Center. The victim who jum ped from the second-floor w indow o f the primary building was also trans­ ported to Albany M edical Center. Dispatch notified the hospital o f multiple fire victims en route, in­ cluding one in full traumatic car­ diac arrest with CPR in progress. Comm and confirm ed a total o f four fire victims from the incident. As operations continued, a significant portion o f the front porch and Alpha side o f the pri­ mary structure was deemed unsta­ ble. Comm and ordered all crews to exit the main fire building and conducted an accountability check. Firefighters continued o p ­ erations in the exposure building, where fire remained in the attic and wall spaces. Exterior crews utilized handlines to extinguish hot spots along the exterior and second-floor window areas. Multiple firefighters ex ­ changed air bottles and returned to the front lines, re-entering the structures to continue aggressive interior operations. As firefighting efforts progressed, fire investiga­ tors began their on-scene investi­

gation. Additional resources from the City o f Albany’ s C ode En­ forcement Division, Engineering Division, and Community R e­ sources D ivision responded and stood by to assist as needed. C om ­ mand also requested the Red Cross, as more than a dozen dis­ placed residents required assis­ tance. Fire continued to flare up in attic spaces and exterior areas o f both buildings, particularly on the Delta side o f the exposure struc­ ture. Eleavy smoke persisted from the attic o f the primary building. Interior crews accessed attic spaces using attic ladders and an additional handline to extinguish remaining fire. Firefighters con ­ ducted secondary searches in both buildings, which were negative. During the incident, the City o f Albany Fire Department was heavily taxed with simultaneous emergency medical calls, leaving limited resources available city­ wide. D espite the significant d e­ mand, no mutual aid companies were requested. Firefighters remained on scene into the late afternoon hours. Fire investigators continued working for several days follow ing the in­ cident. A total o f three victims were rescued by Albany firefight­ ers. The victim who jum ped from the second-floor w indow was listed in critical but stable condi­ tion. Two victims were transferred to Westchester M edical Center’ s Burn Unit for further treatment. Tragically, several days later, both female victims succumbed to their injuries despite the exhaustive ef­ forts o f City o f Albany Fire D e­ partment paramedics, Mohawk Ambulance Service, Albany M ed­ ical Center staff, and Westchester M edical Center personnel. The cause o f the fire has not been re­ leased. Incidents o f this nature are ex­ tremely high-stress and adrena­ line-charged, pushing firefighters to their absolute limits— espe­ cially when civilians are trapped inside a well-involved structure fire. The collective efforts o f all firefighters on scene, who ex e­ cuted an aggressive interior attack while conducting determined pri­ mary searches under extreme con ­ ditions, should not go unnoticed. A ggressive firefighting tactics re­ main critical in today’ s fire serv­ ice, and on Decem ber 4, 2025, the firefighters o f the City o f Albany Fire Department demonstrated un­ wavering dedication to their craft and to the residents they serve. The residents o f the City o f Albany can be confident that their safety is in capable and committed hands.

JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER/SIDEWINDER PHOTOGRAPHY A lbany F ire fighte rs p u s h in g in the front door to get to the second floo r to h e lp crews get to a fire victim .

JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER/SIDEWINDER PHOTOGRAPHY

- JE F F R E Y B ELSC H W IN D ER JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER/SIDEWINDER PHOTOGRAPHY An Albany P o lice Officer carrying the dog from the fire b u ild in g .

PA GE 8

February, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

JOHN SMITH

JEFFREY ARN0LD/@FIREPH0T025

JOHN SMITH

Structure F ire for Jamestown JAMESTOW N, NY - At 2:24 P.M o n 12/19/25 th e Jam estow n F ire Dept, was d is p a tc h e d to the area of Barrow s and E n g lis h Streets for a reported stru c tu re fire. At 2:27 P.M., Car 1 went on sce n e w ith heavy fire an d re q ue ste d an off-shift of 12+1. T he c au se of the fire is u n d er in v e s tig a tio n .

Subm itting photos and press releases is EASY! Register at www.1rbn.com to begin posting directly. Prefer emails? Em ail your press release and photos dire ctly to lindsey@1 strespondernews. com

JEFFREY ARN0LD/@FIREPH0T025

House Fire on New Year’s Day in Clyde CLYDE, NY - On January 1st, C ly d e fire fig h te rs an d Wayne C ounty EMS w ere d is p a tc h e d to a stru c tu re fire at 1525 R o ute 414. U pon a rriv a l, u n its fo u n d a w o rk in g fire in a sin g le - s to ry d w e llin g . M utual a id was re q ue ste d to th e sce n e fo r tan ke rs from Tyre, Savannah, R ed Creek and S outh B utler, as w e ll as a RIT from Lyons. T here w ere no in ju rie s reported an d th e cause of the blaze was u n d e r in v e s tig a tio n .

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

February, 2026

PAGE 9

Three Mutual Aid Companies 1tain in Port Jervis House Planned for Dem olition PORT JERVIS, NY - During the month o f D e­ cember, 2025, fire­ fighters from Port Jervis Fire Depart­ ment and Sparrowbush Engine Company (NY), and Matamoras Fire Department (PA), took part in a threehour drill in a Sus­ sex Street house (64) which is ow ned by the City o f Port Jervis and planned for fu­ ture demolition. Members o f all PJFD com pa­ nies, and chiefs and firefighters with all three departments, were represented at the drill and were able to work on various skills throughout the evening. Some o f the skills practiced were hose line advancement, VES (vent, enter.

search), breaching walls, search exercises, entering the building o ff o f the ladder truck, ventilating, and cutting with saws. There was also a similar D e­ cember, 2025 exercise in a North Orange Street house that is planned for future demolition and whose owner granted permission for the drill. Drills are planned for additional structures in the near future. Besides the responses o f local volunteer firefighters to all types o f em ergency calls, each fire­ fighter is required to com plete many hours o f training and vari­ ous levels o f response certifica­ tions. Careful records are kept for participation in training through­ out the year, and individual certi­ fications. - SHARON S IE G E L

SHARON E. SIEGEL Fire com panies from Port J e rv is and Sparrow bush, NY, and from Matamoras, PA d r ille d in a house pla nn ed for de m o litio n , to enhance va rio u s fire fig h te r s k ills and com plete re q uire d o n g o in g tra in in g for v a rio u s fire fig h te r response certifications.

Forestport F ire Departm ent Responds to Reported Chim ney F ire ALDER CREEK, NY - At ap­ proximately 10:00 p.m. on Friday, December 26, 2025, the Forestport Fire Department responded to a re­ port o f a possible chimney fire at a resi­ dence on White Lake Road. New York State Police arrived first on scene and reported that no smoke or flames were visible from the structure. Initial dispatch tones alerted the Forestport Fire Department, along with mutual aid departments from Woodgate, White Lake, Stittville, Remsen, and Oneida County Emergency Services. Forestport Car 1 arrived shortly thereafter and requested that all mu­ tual aid units remain on standby at their respective stations, while Forestport units continued to respond imder Code 2 conditions. Response times were impacted by heavy snowfall in the area and un­ plowed roadways. Upon arrival, fire crews con­ ducted a thorough evaluation using a thermal imaging camera. The inves­ tigation determined the incident to be unfounded, with the chimney show­ ing normal signs of use and no evi­ dence of fire or hazardous conditions. All units returned to service within Hie hour. - ZACHARY M ARICLE

ZACHARY MARICLE Forestport E ng in e

PAGE 10

February, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

Aggressive Tactics by Green Island Firefighters Contain Rivers Edge Apartment Fire GREEN ISLAND, NY — On November 26, 2025, at 4:58 p.m., multiple calls were received by the Albany County Emergency C om ­ munications Center reporting a structure fire at the Rivers Edge Apartments in the Village o f Green Island, Building 27, Apart­ ment 4. Callers reported that the apartment was on fire. The Village o f Green Island Fire Department, Watervliet Arse­ nal Fire Department, City o f C o ­ hoes Fire Department, and the City o f Watervliet Fire Depart­ ment responded to the scene. As Engine 1322 was responding and turned toward the apartment com ­ plex, crews observed heavy fire pushing out o f the rear o f the structure and extending up and over the roofline. The officer im ­ mediately requested a Signal 30 for a working structure fire. Firefighters arrived on scene and deployed an inch-and-threequarter handline to the rear o f the building, requesting the line be charged. As the pump operator charged the line, police evacuated

J ump to file #121125129

*6 surrounding apartments. Firefight­ ers aggressively knocked down the heavy fire at the rear o f the building to prevent extension to the upper floors and roof. Crews then made an interior push into the apartment, knocking down heavy fire in the living room and kitchen area. Dispatch noti­ fied command that cats were re­ portedly inside the apartment. The City o f Watervliet Fire Depart­ ment assisted with establishing a water supply, while the Watervliet Arsenal Fire Department p osi­ tioned their truck company and raised it to the ro o f in preparation for possible ventilation operations. Firefighters advanced to the second-floor apartment and co n ­ ducted a primary search, deter­ mining that the heavy fire conditions at the rear had not ex­ tended into that unit. Firefighters operating on the first floor contin­ ued to extinguish hot spots and

search for the cats inside the apart­ ment. Crews conducted extensive overhaul operations and opened the r o o f area at the rear o f the building to ensure the fire had not extended into the attic. Firefight­ ers later notified dispatch that the incident was under control. Over­ haul operations continued for an extended period. Firefighters remained on scene into the late evening hours while fire investigators worked to deter­ mine the cause o f the fire. Unfor­ tunately, one cat was located deceased inside the apartment. Due to the aggressive actions o f the first-due engine company, fire­ fighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to other areas o f the building, which has experi­ enced multiple large fires in the past. No injuries were reported. The fire remains under investiga­ tion at this time. - JE F F R E Y B ELSC H W IN D ER

JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER/ SIDEWINDER PHOTOGRAPHY F ire fighte rs o v e rh a u lin g the 2nd flo o r above the fire apartment.

JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER/ SIDEWINDER PHOTOGRAPHY

JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER/ SIDEWINDER PHOTOGRAPHY W atervliet Firefighter Ken Keefer, Jr.

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

February, 2026

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February, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

Face Value Chaplain’s Corner Didymus McHugh

We can get so much more c o ­ operation from people if we smile versus from, not only that but we save energy when we smile. It takes about fifty muscles to frown and about fifteen muscles to smile. So, if you want to watch your energy smile. Oh, by smiling you will also feel better and have more energy. Have you ever noticed that at times a smile can be contagious like a yawn? You start smiling and then others may take your lead and also smile. Have you watched a baby in their playful m ood where they smile and giggle and everyone around them smile, maybe even grumpy Gus. Oh, be careful, we know that if grumpy Gus goes to smile, his face may end up crack­ ing.

The Bible states that a joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. - Proverbs 17:22 We can easily see that if we understand the work o f Patch Adams. I think part o f any training man­ ual should include training people how to smile and how to encourage people, to me they seem to g o to­ gether. Please smile more. You may scare som e o f your family members but if you smile, they may wonder what you are up to. In my family there were not many people who smiled but if you started playing music and telling jokes there would be smiles and laughter, even if it was only for a short time. Did you know that they say that smiling reduces blood pressure? Smile and if you don't have one, see who can share one with you. It is the cheapest way to improve face value. Stay safe, Didymus McHugh didymus-mchugh.com

BOB MCCORMICK

One Transported After Vehicle Hits Pole in Newburgh N EW B U RG H, NY - N ew burgh FD re spo n de d to an MVA in v o lv in g a v e h ic le that stru c k a u tility po le on South Street in the area of T ho m pso n Street on Decem ber 11, 2025. C ity of N ew burgh P o lic e were on scene. F ire fig h te rs checked both v e h ic le s fo r hazards and stood by. C ity of New­ b u rg h P o lic e requested E m pre ss EMS fo r tran sp o rt of one driver; Town of N ew burgh EMS re­ sp o n de d and transported the patient to M ontefiore St. Lu ke ’s H ospital. South Street was c lo se d to w estbound traffic at P ie rce s Road. Central H udson was c a lle d for a u tility pole that was stru ck by a v e h ic le . C ity of N ew burgh P o lic e are in v e s tig a tin g the cause.

PATCH OF THE MONTH I f y o u have ph otos y o u w ou ld lik e to s e e in ou r “Patch o f the m onth “feature p le a se upload them on ou r website, m w . ls t R e s p o n d e r N e m . c o m o r em ail them to L in d sey @ lstR esp on d erN ew s.co m .

NIVERVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT INC.

PRESIDENT STEVE MASETTA The R idg e -C ulv e r Vol. F ire A s so c ia tio n , located in Iro n d e q u o it NY, is one of two F ire C om pa nies in the Iro n d e q u o it Fire D istrict. The Iro n d e q u o it F ire D is tric t was form ed in 2022 w hen the Laurelton and R idg e -C u lv e r F ire D is tric t m erged. The R idg e -C ulv e r and Lau­ re lton Vol. F ire A s s o c ia tio n s rem ain separate. The R idg e -C u lv e r Vol. F ire A s so c ia tio n was form ed in 1921 re p re se n tin g the active, s o c ia l, exem pt m em bers se rv in g the Town of Iro n d e q u o it.

M ulti-Agency Response in N iv e rv ille Handles Wood Stove F ire N IV E R V ILLE , NY - The N iv e rv ille F ire Departm ent Inc. was sent by C o lu m b ia C ounty 911 as a m em ber of the N iv e rv ille Task Force in response to a reported ch im n e y fire o Decem ber 9, 2025. W hen NFD C ars 1 and 2 arriv e d , they v e rifie d that a broken w ood stove was the o rig in of the fire. In te rio r fire fig h te rs from the K in d e rh o o k F ire Departm ent and N iv e rv ille F ire started w orking in s id e the house. La dder crew s from the V alatie F ire Com pany, w o rkin g as u n it 55-52, c o o rd i­ nated w ith in te rio r u n its to execute roof operations. Before s p re a d in g past the chim ney, the fire was re stricte d to the fire p la c e area and put out.

1st Responder Newspaper - NY________________ February, 2026

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February, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

BOB MCCOBM ICK

R o llo ver Crash on Rock Cut Road in Newburgh N EW BU RG H, NY - O range Lake FD re s p o n d e d to a ro llo v e r MVA o n D ecem ber 23, 2025 on R o c k C ut Road. T he d riv e r w as out of the v e h ic le . Town of N ew burgh P o lic e an d EMS w ere o n scene. F ire fig h te rs c h e c k e d th e v e h ic le fo r hazards. N o rth b o u n d tra ffic w as b lo c k e d at th e in te rs e c tio n of State R o ute 52 a n d R o ck Cut Road, w h ile s o u th b o u n d tra ffic was a llo w e d to co n tin u e . Town of N ew burgh P o lic e are in v e s ti­ g a tin g the cause.

ACTION SHOTS I f y o u have ph otos y o u w ou ld like to se e in our “A ction Shots”feature, please u pload them on our w ebsite, w w w .lstR esp on derN ew s.com o r em ail them to L in d sey @ lstR esp on d erN ew s.co m .

ZACHARY MARICLE

Quick T hinking Saves Alder Creek Garage A L DER CREEK, N Y - At ap­ proximately 7:00 p.m. on January 8th, the Rem sen Fire Department was dispatched to a reported struc­ ture fire at Shufelt’ s Garage, located on N ew York State Route 12. U pon arrival, first crew s en­ countered heavy smoke conditions with visible flames com ing from a vehicle inside the garage. An em ­ ployee had actively pulled the burn­ ing vehicle out o f the building toward the rear o f the main gas sta­ tion and garage area. Firefighters quickly knocked down the fire and began a thorough investigation to determine whether the flames had extended into the structure. Crew s conducted checks for

Jump t o file #010826100

fire extension into the roof and ceil­ ing areas o f the steel pole bam, which features insulation and steel interior walls. Due to the potential for hidden fire spread, Stittville Fire Department Tower 1 was requested to the scene. Firefighters opened a section o f the South side exterior wall to check for extension and to establish ventilation. Interior crews removed sections o f the wall closest to the original fire area and discovered fire exten­ sion within the wall cavity. The ex­ tension was immediately

extinguished, and crews continued to check surrounding areas while conducting overhaul operations to ensure the fire was fully contained. The Rem sen Fire Department was assisted on scene by the Bameveld Fire Department, Trenton Unified Fire District, F loyd Fire Department, and the Stittville Fire Department. Law enforcement and utility support were provided by the N ew York State Police, Oneida County Sheriff’ s Department, and National Grid. N o injuries were reported. The cause o f the fire remains under in­ vestigation. - ZACHARY M A RIC LE

CAMPVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT T he C a m p v ille F ire Departm ent p ro v id e d m utual a id to th e Newark V alley F ire Departm ent at a se co nd alarm structure fire last Decem ­ ber. C a m p v ille re s p o n d e d w ith La dd er 301, w h ic h was d e p lo y e d as an elevated m aster stream to h e lp e x tin g u is h heavy fire c o n d i­ tio n s th ro u g h o u t the structure. T he a e ria l o p e ra tio n s p la y e d a key ro le in c o n tro llin g the blaze. T he fire was d e c la re d u n d e r co n tro l ap p ro x im a te ly two h o u rs after th e in it ia l d is p a tc h , th o u g h crew s re m aine d on sce n e to a s s is t w ith o v e rh a u l an d e x tin g u is h in g re­ m a in in g hot sp o ts before c le a rin g th e in c id e n t.

ZACHARY MARICLE

February, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

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February, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

Sparrowbush Engine Company Remembers Member K ille d in 1979 Line of Duty, Vincent Innella SPARROWBUSH, NY - On December 15, 2025, members o f Sparrowbush Engine Company gath­ ered to remember the loss o f a young firefighter from their company 46years ago this month. The group met at SECO’ s Main Street firehouse, where they re-hung a framed painting o f the late Vincent Innella. They then visited Innella’ s grave, along with the final resting places o f 11 past officers o f their company. SECO firefighters make this visit annually on December 15, the date o f 25-yearold Innella’ s line-of-duty death inl979. This was a line o f duty death that also injured four other members in SECO, one severely, that day. All who participated this year were either firefighters with Innella, responding as firefighters back then and now, or firefighters who continue Hie service o f family firefighters who served with Innella. Scott Glynn, a 33-year firefighter and Past SECO Chief, and his son Scott Glynn, a lieutenant who joined Hie company in 2019, were among those who took part in this year’ s re­ membrance. Past Chief Thomas Glynn, father o f the senior Scott Glynn, was among four firefighters who were also injured on that 1979 date - one severely — while fighting Hie fatal fire. Past Chief John Tunney, a 51year firefighter, and current Chief Carl Van Horn were not present at the fire that day, but both well understand Hie dangers any time a firefighter an­ swers a call to duty. Past Chief Jack Flynn, a 55-year firefighter, was present at the 1979 s fire, arriving soon after the fire’ early, devastating impact on his fel­ low firefighters. Past Chief Past Chief Ken Kent, a 47-year firefighter, drove a com ­ pany apparatus to this fire, a first for him at the time. Kent had spoken with Innella shortly before Innella and fellow firefighter and good friend Bobby Ey, who was 21 at the time, entered the structure. Ey, reached this week, said he does not usually take part in the an­ nual December 15th grave visit. But he is glad they do this, and he still thinks o f his late friend every day “ It’ s just too hard. Vinny was my comrade at that fire, but also a really good friend o f mine,”said Ey, who was beside Innella as they were both blasted as the fire exploded aroimd them. “ I rode in the truck. We were first on scene with the driver. Vinny was with me instead o f my cousin Mike Ey, who was supposed to go but couldn’ t because something was wrong with his pack. It would have been Mike and I otherwise.” Ey recalled immediately feeling something was wrong as he and In-

SHARON E. SIEGEL Left to rig h t S E C O Lt. Scott G lynn , Past C h ie fs K en Kent, J ack Flynn , J o h n Tunney, Scott G lynn , Not p ic tu re d but part m em orial was cu rre n t S E C O C h ie f C a rl Van Horn. nella moved through the residential structure. “The house was filled with super intense heat. I said to Vinny, ‘ W e’ ve gotta get out o f here. It’ s way too hot.’ And then there was an explosion and Vinny got pulled into the room. I was pulled down the stairs,”Ey recalled. The fire was fatal to Vinny. It put Ey in Westchester Medical H ospital’ s Bum Unit for three-and-a-half months. He suffered with severe, excruciating bums to his legs, his entire back, scalp, hand, and lost a finger. Extreme heat is what he attributes to a substantial portion o f the impact on his body. “ My helmet melted to my scalp, and my boots stuck to the floor where a lead crystal lamp had melted. They had to cut my boots loose,”Ey re­ called. Throughout the many surgeries

and skin grafts he underwent, Ey said he received therapy and pain manage­ ment help in coping with the pain and hypnosis to help him try to forget some o f his worst memories —and the ‘ what ifs’o f Hie call. “ It was my family that was my backbone o f support. They never gave up, and told me things like ‘ w e’ re tough, and we can do th is’ ,”he re­ called. Ey, who recently retired from a 39-year career, is an honorary member o f SECO and is grateful that Innella is remembered by so many in his com­ munity. “ He was a good guy. He had a great sense o f humor, and people should not forget. By sharing what happened that day, it keeps it real. That’ s important,”Ey said. - SHARO N S IE G E L

SHARON E. SIEGEL

SHARON E. SIEGEL

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

February, 2026

P A G E 17

FIREFIGHTER PROFILES I f y ou r departm ent has p h otos y o u w o u ld like to se e in ou r “Firefighter P rofiles”feature, p lea se uploa d them o n our w ebsite, w w w .lstR e sp on d e rN e w s.com o r em a il them to L in d s e y @ l stR espon derN ew s.com

RINGHAMTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

Binghamton Fire Department Handles Three F u ll Alarms in Busy M orning

KAUNEONGA LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT The K aun eo ng a Lake F ire Departm ent a n n o u n c e d that fire fig h te r an d d iv e r Juan Gom ez has been nam ed D iv e r of th e Year by the S u lliv a n C ounty D iv e & R e scue Team. The re c o g n itio n h ig h lig h t s G om ez’s s k ill, d e d ic a tio n , an d com m itm ent to d iv e rescue op e ra ­ tio n s th ro u g h o u t th e county. Departm ent m em bers co n g ra tu la te d him on th e w ell-deserved honor. O ffic ia ls p ra is e d Gom ez fo r rep­ re se n tin g the departm ent w ith p ro fe s s io n a lis m a n d extended th e ir c o n g ra tu la tio n s o n an o u ts ta n d in g achievem ent.

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BINGHAMTON, NY - In less than an hour, the Binghamton Fire Department responded to three fullalarm events, including two fires and a hazardous con­ ditions call during a busy morning on January 6th. Quint 2 was sent to 50 Orton Avenue at 8:59 a.m. due to a suspected gas odor. When Binghamton P olice officers ar­ rived first, they im­ mediately upgraded the alarm to full after they noticed smoke com ­ ing from a second-floor window o f a nearby home on Orton Avenue. Firefighters forced entry and lo­ cated a bedroom room-and-contents fire, which was quickly knocked down with no extension. Engine 1 simultaneously investi­ gated the gas complaint, discover­ ing elevated carbon monoxide levels and an active natural gas leak. Utilities were secured, and NYSEG was requested. At 9:16 a.m., a second full alarm was dispatched for smoke in­ side a residence on Rossm ore Place. Crews determined the issue was related to a malfunctioning oven. At 9:50 a.m., units responded to a refuse fire behind Mygatt Street that involved a shed near an occupied home. The fire was extin­ guished and the residence was pro­ tected. No injuries were reported. - C O U R T ES Y O F B IN G H A M ­ TON F IR E DEPT.

RINGHAMTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

P A G E 18

February, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

APPARATUS IN ACTION I f y o u have ph otos y o u w ou ld like to se e in our Apparatus in A ction feature please u pload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esp on derN ew s.com o r em ail them to L in d sey @ lstR esp on d erN ew s.co m .

T he C anaan P ro te c tiv e F ire C om pany w as se n t by C o lu m b ia C ounty 911 to a s s is t the Stephentow n V olunteer F ire Departm ent at a stru ctu re fire on U.S. Route 20, c lo s e to th e b o u nd ary between C o lu m b ia a n d R e n sse la e r C o u n tie s, on January 7th.

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Second-Alarm Fire Destroys Campbell Hall Home C A M P B E LL HALL, NY - C a m p b e ll H a ll F ire Departm ent re s p o n d e d to a second-alarm stru ctu re fire at a p p ro x im a te ly 9:20 p.m. on D ecem ber 22, 2025, at 24 Eager Road. At th e tim e, C a m p b e ll H a ll u n its w ere a lre a dy o p e ra tin g at a n o the r stru ctu re fire at 8 Shea Road. The one-and-a-halfstory re s id e n c e w as fu lly in v o lv e d u po n a rriv a l. M utual a id re s p o n d e d from New W indso r, Maybrook, C o lde n h a m , G o she n, an d th e A ir G uard, a lo n g w ith a tan ke r s h u ttle from V a ils Gate and the Town of Montgomery. Town of N ew burgh EMS w as o n scene, as w e ll as the New York State P o lic e an d the O range C ounty S h e riff’s Office. O range C ounty F ire In v e s tig a to rs w ere a ls o on scene. F ire fig h te rs o p e rate d h a n d lin e s a n d c o n d u c te d an e x te rio r attack. E a g e r R o ad w as c lo s e d d u rin g th e in c id e n t. The fire is u n d e r in v e s tig a tio n .

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

February, 2026

P A G E 19

MEMORIAL BOARD I f y ou r departm ent has p h otos y o u w ou ld like to s e e in our “M em orial B oard”feature please u pload them on ou r w ebsite www. IR B N .com o r em ail them to Lindsey @1 stR espon d erN ew s.com

On D ecem b er 19, 2025, th e D e­ p o s it F ire D epartm ent s a d ly re­ p o rte d th e d e a th of F ire fig h te r W illa rd S p rag u e . For m any ye a rs, F ire fig h t e r S p ra g u e se rve d the co m m u nity an d was w ell-kn o w n fo r h is c o m m it­ m ent to b o th th e de p a rtm e n t a n d th e p e o p le it protects. M em bers of th e de p a rtm e n t c o n v e y e d t h e ir a p p re c ia tio n fo r h is e x te n s iv e s e rv ic e h is ­ to ry an d d e d ic a tio n to th e fire se rv ic e . O ver th e ye ars, h is s e rv ic e s have be e n c r u c ia l to th e d e p artm e nt's o p e ra tio n s a n d c o m m u n ity safety. The ag e n cy a ls o m e n tio n e d tha t a n u m b e r of fa m ily m em b ers of F ire fig h te r S p rag u e had served an d are now e m p lo y e d w ith the D e p o s it F ire agency, c a rry in g on h is legacy.

HINSDALE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

DEPOSIT FIRE DEPARTMENT

HINSDALE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Past Chief Robert Napier

HINSDALE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

VERDOY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT The Verdoy V olunteer F ire Departm ent s a d ly reported that Past C h ie f B ob N apier had passed away on Decem ber 17,2025, fo llo w in g a v a lia n t fig h t w ith cancer. C hief N apier devoted h is life to the fire se rvice and has been a part of the departm ent s in c e the 1970s. He h e ld every p o s itio n in the departm ent d u rin g h is tenure, in c lu d in g a ssista n t c h ie f, c h ie f, fire co m m issio n e r, lie u ten an t, and captain. In a d d itio n to Verdoy, he was the Town of C o lo n ie F ire C o o rd in a to r and a m em ber of many a d v iso ry g ro u p s at the New York State level. C o lle a g u e s rem em bered him as a m entor to new o ffic e rs and fire fig h te rs a n d a steady p re se nce w ith in the org anization. C h ie f N apier m ain ta in e d tig h t tie s to the fire s e rvice , c o n tin ­ u in g to m on itor re a ctio ns and a s s is t the departm ent d e s p ite a severe s ic k n e s s over the p re v io u s year. A s a sp o u se , parent, firem an, and le ade r w ho had a lo ng -la sting in flu e n c e on the com m unity, he is re­ m embered.

M embers of the H in s d a le Volunteer F ire Department attended South Bay F ire D epartm ent Past C h ie f an d E m erg en cy M anager D a v id Cowburn's C ele b ra tio n of Life on January 3rd. Fire C aptain Zachary Poff, A ssis ta n t C h ie f C h ris to p h e r C u lk in , an d Form er C h ie f J o hn R o d e r represented the departm ent. T h e ir attendance p a id trib u te to a w ell-know n fire fig h te r w ho sp ent many years p ro v id in g le a d­ e rs h ip an d e m erg ency m anagem ent s e rv ic e s to h is com m unity. F ire fig h te rs, t h e ir fa m ilie s , an d cow orkers from aro u nd the fire d e ­ partm ent had the chance to c o n s id e r C h ie f Cow burn's d e d ic a tio n , p ro fe s s io n a lis m , a n d e n d u rin g in flu e n c e at the event. R e c o g n iz in g C h ie f C ow burn's s e rv ic e an d le ga cy th ro u g h o u t th e fire s e rv ic e com m unity, departm ent m em bers sent th e ir s y m p a th ie s to the C ow burn fa m ily a n d the South Bay F ire Department.

PAGE 20

February, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

Bingham ton F ire fig h te rs Rescue Trapped Man from West S id e House F ire BINGHAMTON, NY — D e­ cember 18 — At 4:25 a.m. on D e­ cember 18, 2025, firelighters from the Binghamton Fire Department arrived at 8 Highland Avenue on the west side o f the city in response to a reported work­ ing home fire with entrapment. One adult male was re­ portedly stuck on the second level, but the majority o f residents were able to flee on their own before firefighters arrived. West Side crews assigned to Quint 2 arrived quickly and located the trapped occupant. The person was taken out o f the building and brought to safety by firefighters. The patient was trans­ ported by Superior Ambulance to Wilson Hospital for evaluation. Other incoming crews searched the house, put out the fire, and ob­ tained a water supply. No fire­ fighter injuries were recorded, and no more individuals were discov­ ered to be trapped. Residents who are displaced are receiving aid from the Red Cross. Additionally, Bing­ hamton Police, Superior Ambu­ lance, Maine Ambulance, dispatchers from Broome County, andNYSEG provided assistance at the scene. BINGHAMTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

- COURTESY OF BINGHAMTON F IR E DEPT.

BOB MCCORMICK

Three-Car MVA w ith In ju rie s in Newburgh NEW BURGH, NY - Cronom er Valley FD responded to a threev e h ic le MVA w ith in ju rie s on State Route 32/Mill Street on De­ cem ber 15,2025. Town of Newburgh P o lic e and EMS were on scene. F ire figh te rs spread Speedy Dry on flu id s in the road­ way and secured two v e h ic le s from hazards. Town of New­ b u rg h EMS transported one d riv e r to M ontefiore St. Lu ke ’s Hospital. State Route 32 was reopened one lane at a tim e to traffic. Town of New burgh P o lic e are in v estig a tin g the cause.

BINGHAMTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

February, 2026

PAGE 21

Second Alarm Chimney Fire Damages Home in Deposit DEPOSIT, NY - The D eposit Fire Department, Eastern Broome Em ergency Services, and the Harpursville Fire Department were called to a potential home fire on North Sanford Road in the Town o f Sanford shortly after one in the morning on D e­ cember 14, 2025. A resident o f a single-family home stated that there was smoke on the second level. Crews found a working fire on the second story as soon as they arrived and swiftly put it out. Because o f the way the house was built, a thor­ ough renovation was necessary to guarantee that the fire was co m ­ pletely put out. A ccording to the inquiry, the fire spread into the wall spaces after starting in the chimney o f a wood-burning stove. Every resident left the house unharmed. Due to the intricacy o f the fire and the home's position in a nonhydrated area, a second alarm was requested. Superior Am bu­ lance was on the scene, and the fire departments o f Harpursville, Afton, Windsor, Masonville, and West Windsor offered mutual help. During operations, the D e­ posit district was covered by Trout Creek Fire. -C O U R T ESY OF D E ­ PO SIT F IR E DEPARTM ENT

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DEPOSIT FIRE DEPARTMENT

DEPOSIT FIRE DEPARTMENT

P A G E 22

February, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

BROTHERS & SISTERS OF THE EMERGENCY SERVICES If you have photos you would like to see in our “Brothers & Sisters o f the Emergency Services” feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@ l stResponderNews.com.

Two m em bers of C opake F ire C om pany #1 have s u c c e s s fu lly f in ­ is h e d the In te rio r F ire fig h tin g O p e ra tio n s tra in in g at th e C o lu m b ia C ounty F ire T ra in in g Centre. Over 60 h o u rs of classro o m a n d p rac­ tic a l te a c h in g w ere covered o ver the ten-week course. In te rio r fire a s s a u lt, s e a rc h o p e ra tio n s , v e n tila tio n , h o se m anagem ent, an d fire fig h te r safety were a ll in c lu d e d in the tra in in g . After c o m p le tin g th e ir tra in in g , the m em bers becam e c e rtifie d in te rio r fire m e n and jo in e d c o lle a g u e s from C o lu m b ia C ounty ag e n cie s. A s sis ta n t in ­ stru cto rs Ram os, Lind o p -B rau n , an d La vian o a s s is te d New York State F ire In stru c to r Tracy A le x a n d e r in le a d in g the program .

jrp'N;

BOB MCCOBM ICK

M ultiple Departments Respond to Middle Hope Structure Fire COPAKE FIBE COMPANY #1

COPAKE FIRE COMPANY #1

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M ID D L E HOPE, N Y - M id ­ dle H ope FD respon ded to a re­ ported structure fire around 1:30 P.M. on January 3rd. M iddle H ope Com m and ar­ rived and advised o f a garage fire at 111 L eslie R oad with multiple veh i­ cles involved. A second alarm w as sounded, bringing C ronom er Valley Ladder, G o o d W ill Engine, M arlboro, Plattekill, New burgh FAST Team, Orange Lake and W inona Lake engines, and Vails Gate FAST. Tow n o f New burgh P olice and EM S were on scene. Firefighters u sed m ultiple hand lines, with the M iddle H ope Ladder in operation at the front o f the residence. D eputy Orange County Fire C oordinator 36-12 was on scene. At the 20-minute status check, three lines were operating. At the 30-minute status check, the bulk o f the fire w as knocked dow n and crew s were checking for extension. Central H udson was called to the scene. The Town o f Newburgh Fire Inspector also responded. The fire is under in­ vestigation. - B O B M C C O R M IC K

BOB M CCORMICK

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

February, 2026

PA G E 23

DRILLS/TRAINING To see your Drills in the newspaper upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com

COPAKE, NY - At O re P it P o n d in Taconic State Park, m em bers of C opake F ire C om pany #1 p ra cticed c o ld water and ic e rescue te chn iq ue s. Because of the pond's re a lis tic th in and b re akin g ice, team s were a b le to practice in sce n a rio s that are frequ ently encountered d u rin g w inter crises. In o rd e r to lessen th e chance of more shatterin g , rescue p erso n n e l p ra cticed safe approaches to v ic tim s , concentrating on d is trib u tin g w eight across the ice. A d d itio n a lly , fire fig h te rs received tra in in g on how to co n tin u e rescue efforts w h ile recovering from ice breakouts. By m ooring tether an d haul lin e s from shore, fire fig h te rs a n d d riv e rs a ssiste d w ith the exercise.

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P A G E 24

February, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

DRIIIS/TRA IN IN G To s e e y ou r D rills in the new spaper u pload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esp on derN ew s.com or em ail them to L in d sey @ lstR esp on d erN ew s.co m

In Decem ber, staff from P L V ulca n T ra in in g S o lu tio n s p a rtic ip a te d in a f u ll day of R a p id In te rv e n tio n Team tra in in g w ith p e rs o n n e l of the C ity of H u d so n F ire Departm ent. F ire fig h te r re scue an d s e lf­ rescue te c h n iq u e s u tiliz e d in s itu a tio n s in v o lv in g tra p p e d o r in c a ­ p a c ita te d fire m e n w ere th e m ain to p ic s of th e w o rksho p. E x p e rie n c e d p e rs o n n e l of th e W orcester F ire Departm ent an d the C ity of New York F ire Departm ent le d the in s tru c tio n , w h ic h was based on kn o w le d ge g a in e d from o n g o in g fire g ro u n d operations. A ir m anagem ent, se a rch stra teg ie s, fire fig h te r p a cka g in g , an d c o ­ o rd in a te d rem oval ta c tic s w ere a ll in c lu d e d in the tra in in g . In o rde r to stre n g th e n re g io n a l m utual-aid re a d in e s s an d u n ifo rm rescue p ro ce d ures acro ss departm ents, m em bers of the C hatham F ire De­ partm ent a ls o to o k part.

BOB MCCORMICK

CITY OF HUDSON FIRE DEPARTMENT

BOB MCCORMICK

Two-Vehicle Crash w ith Injuries on State Route 300 in Newburgh NEW BURG H, NY - O range and W inona Lake FD s re s p o n d e d to a tw o-vehicle MVA w ith in ju rie s on State Route 300 at th e E x it 36B e a stb o u n d off-ramp on D ecem ber 22, 2025. Town of New­ b u rg h P o lic e an d EM S w ere o n scene. F ire fig h te rs c h e c k e d b oth v e h ic le s fo r ha za rds and sp re a d S peedy Dry on f lu id s in th e roadway. Town of N ew burgh EMS tra n sp o rte d one patient to M ontefiore St. L u k e ’s H o sp ital. State Route 300 s o u th b o u n d had one lan e c lo s e d d u rin g the in c id e n t. Town of N ew burgh P o lic e are in v e s tig a tin g th e cause.

CITY OF HUDSON FIRE DEPARTMENT

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

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February, 2026

P A G E 25

PA GE 26

February, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

DRIIIS/TRA IN IN G T o se e y ou r D rills in the new spaper upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR espon derN ew s.com o r em ail them to L in d sey @ lstR esp on d erN ew s.co m

N IV E R V ILLE , NY - On R o u n d Top Lake in the Town of Chatham , the N iv e rv ille F ire Departm ent Inc. c a rrie d out its firs t real-w orld ic e re scue exercise. Over a dozen e v o lu tio n s w ere covered th ro u g h o u t the ro u g h ly two and a half-hour t ra in in g s e s sio n . F ire fig h te rs u se d c o ld w ater s u its to perform "g o" re scue ta c tic s and p ra c tic e d to s s in g re scue e q u ip m e n t to a fic titio u s v ictim . The e x e rc ise s c o n ce n ­ trated on v ic tim rem oval in ic y circu m sta n ce s, co m m u n ica tio n , an d safe a p p ro a ch te c h n iq u e s . The departm ent e x p re sse d g ra titu d e to th e ow ners an d in h a b ita n ts of G le a so n M o b ile Hom e P a rk for g ra n tin g access to the lake a n d to the p a rtic ip a tin g m em bers for tra in in g in c h illy weather.

CITY OF HUDSON FIRE DEPARTMENT

NIVERVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT INC.

CITY OF HUDSON FIRE DEPARTMENT

Hudson Crews Stop F ire Spread at MixedUse B u ild in g HUDSON, NY - On Decem ber 24, 2025, the C ity of H udson Fire Departm ent was c a lle d by C o lu m b ia C ounty 911 to a reported sto v e fire tha t may have been e x tin g u is h e d at 621 W arren Street. W hen C h ie f of Departm ent Shaw n Hoffman got there, he saw sm o ke on th e firs t flo o r of a re sta uran t that ha d a k itc h e n fire g o in g on. After s w iftly p u ttin g out th e fire , fire ­ fig h te rs started lo o k in g fo r an exten sion. A seco nd-flo or flat above the restaurant had been in v o lv e d in a fire , a c c o rd in g to fu rth e r research. To g uara ntee to ta l e x tin g u is h m e n t and m ake su re the re was no re m a in in g h id d e n fire , crew s o pened w a lls an d c e ilin g s . The apartm ent's b ro ken w ater p ip e c o n ­ trib u te d to the fire's containm ent.

NIVERVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT INC.

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

February, 2026

P A G E 27

DRILLS/TRAINING To s e e y ou r D rills in the new spaper upload them on ou r w ebsite w w w .lstR espon d erN ew s.com o r em ail them to L in d sey @ lstR esp on d erN ew s.co m

A tra in in g s e s s io n u s in g the rm a l im a g in g cam eras w as attended by V ir g il F ire Departm ent p erso n ne l. The c o u rs e fo c u se d on p ra c tic a l fire g ro u n d a p p lic a tio n a n d w as ta u g ht by M e rid ia n F ire T ra in in g S o­ lu tio n s . The use of the rm a l im a g in g cam eras in size-up, d ire c te d fire attacks, and p rim a ry se a rche s w as covered by in stru cto rs. R e a d in g heat patterns, c o m p re h e n d in g cam era lim its , a n d in c o rp o ra tin g TIC u se in to re g u la r o p e ra tin g p ro c e d u re s were a ll covered in the course. To im p ro ve crew c o o pe ra ­ tio n an d de c isio n - m a kin g , s c e n a rio s w ere created based on ty p ic a l re s id e n tia l fire se ttin gs. The fire se rv ic e u se s therm al im a g in g cam eras e x ten sive ly to in crease fire fig h te r safety and s itu a tio n a l aware­ ness. In o rd e r to guarantee that fire fig h te rs stay com petent w ith c h a n g in g te c h n o lo g y an d fire g ro u n d e q u ip m e n t, the w o rk s h o p e m p h a s ize d th e im p o rta nce of p ra c tic a l in s tru c tio n an d o n g o in g tra in in g .

VIRGIL FIRE DEPARTMENT

BEUKENDAAL FD

Beukendaal Fire Department Thanks Mutual Aid After Cranesville Block Plant Fire G LE N V IL LE , NY - The B e u ke n d a a l F ire Departm ent tha n ke d a ll of the m utual a s sista n c e o rg a n iz a tio n s w ho h e lp e d at the C ra n e s v ille B lo c k P lant fire on D ecem ber 12,2025. U nits were firs t sent to th e w rong a d d re s s, w h ic h w as one of th e in c i­ dent's e a rly pro b le m s. O nce on site , p e rs o n n e l had to de a l w ith e x te n s iv e h o se la y s a n d s lic k c irc u m s ta n c e s , w h ic h c a lle d fo r careful scene c o n tro l and c o o rdin a tio n . F ire fig h te rs co lla b o ra te d to co n ta in the fire in s p ite of the se c h a lle n g e s . The B e u k e n d a a l F ire D epartm ent th a n k e d a ll re s p o n d in g a g e n cie s fo r th e ir sup po rt, p ro fe s sio n a lism , and com m itm ent to safety th ro u g h o u t th e in c id e n t.

VIRGIL FIRE DEPARTMENT

P A G E 28

February, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

DRILLS/TRAINING I f y o u have ph otos y o u w ou ld like to s e e in our D rills feature, please u pload them on ou r w ebsite w w w .lstR esp on derN ew s.com or em ail them to L in d sey @ lstR esp on d erN ew s.co m .

Searches There is a h ig h degree of v a ri­ a b ility w hen it com es to search­ in g fo r p o ten tia l v ictim s. Prim a fascia that seem s an outrageous statement. Make no m istake if there is som eone in s id e a b u rn­ in g structure we stop at no th in g to get them out. T here’s no v a ri­ ab le there at all; tha t’s very true. Now s e rio u s ly c o n s id e r the dy­ nam ics of you r own departm ent in c lu d in g p o lic ie s and SO Ps rel­ ative to searches. Are a ll m em bers of yo u r de ­ partm ent (and on that p a rticula r call) tra in e d to search? Do you use a hose lin e in co n ju n c tio n w ith a search? How is “two in two o u t” d e fin ed in you r depart­ ment? These are just a few item s that s h o u ld e ith e r already been d e fin e d by p o lic y an d th ro u g h trained d r ills w ell in advance or need to be q u ic k ly addressed by the firs t the a rriv in g company. How d o you know the re are v ic tim s to search for? Som e de­ partm ental SO Ps require at least a p rim a ry se a rch re g a rd le ss of the s itu a tio n w hereas o thers may rely more on d isp a tc h e d in ­ fo rm atio n an d o th er factors su c h as day of the week, tim e of day, toys on the lawn, cars in the driveway, p erha ps first-hand in ­ fo rm atio n from neighbors/w itnesses and of co u rse d ire c t o b se rv a tio n s of the fire and sm oke c o n d itio n s before mak­ in g that split-second d e c is io n to search. T h is a rticle w ill not debate the s p e c ific s of any g iv e n depart­ m ent’s p o lic ie s etc., due m ainly to the fact that p o lic ie s and pro­ ce du re s are sh a p e d on depart­ ment resources in c lu d in g average num ber of re spo n de rs per call. For exam ple, som e de­ partm ents even use th e ir pum p operator to conduct a 360 to free up the officer for a search. If firefighters/officers com e acro ss a better way that w orks fo r you r departm ent the n by a ll m eans chang e it up and tra in better/smarter. C ha ng es in p o l­ icy and p ro ce d ure s h o u ld n ’t wait fo r a fire fig h te r o r c iv ilia n to d ie in o rde r to put into effect. A prim ary search (aptly named) is the firs t search of a structure. F u ll w ell know ing how fast a fire can d e v e lo p fire fig h te rs move

fast d u rin g t h is search. The idea is to fin d as many p otential v ic ­ tim s as p o s s ib le and get tho se v ic tim s an d the m se lv es out safely. A se co nda ry se a rch in m ost case s takes p la c e after a fire has been knocked down. Its slow er, more m ethodica l and de­ tailed. R e g a rdle ss of the search type there are som e d e ta ils and tip s that can be a p p lie d to both. Here’s a q u ic k list: 1) Each search team s h o u ld have at a m inim um two firefig hters. 2) E ach team m em ber s h o u ld have a to o l to a s sist in a variety of tasks su c h as locating victim s, in c re a s in g a cce ss and rescue operations. A ltho u g h to o l se le c ­ tio n is variable at a m inim um fire ­ fig h te rs s h o u ld have a H a llig an , axe and a therm al im a g in g cam­ era (TIC). 3) A ltho u g h most fire fig h te rs are tra in e d to stay low and crawl due to heat and v is ib ilit y c o n d itio n s if the s itu a tio n presents itself w ith lig h t smoke/heat com b ine d w ith g o o d v is ib ilit y duck-w alking th ro u g h a stru ctu re may in ­ crease the c h a n c e s of fin d in g v ic tim s and g e ttin g them to safety.

can also put th e ir feet against the w a ll stre tc h in g out w ith a tool. The d ow nfall to t h is m ethod is it d o e s n ’t n e c e s sa rily a llo w for e g re ss id e n tific a tio n how ever it can a llo w c o v e rin g a standard 12x12 bedroom in a matter of seconds. Two item s to d is c u s s w hen s e a rc h in g a s p e c ific room. The firs t is that it d o e s n ’t ne ce ssarily take two fire fig h te rs to enter a room to search w hen one can do so e fficiently. Try le a v in g one fire fig h te r at the do o r w ith a lig h t to o rientate the s e a rc h in g fire ­ fighter. Secondly, is it necessary to m ark the do o r once the search is done? Many departm ents have m arkers or use c h a lk (down low) but how often is a se co nd­ ary team a b le to see any m ark­ in g s on the d o o r - e s p e c ia lly if c o n d itio n s worsen. That d o e s n ’t mean d o n ’t d o it - by a ll means d o so e s p e c ia lly in n u rs in g hom es or h o tels w here there are dozens of s im ila r lo o k in g doors. W hat it do e s mean is that in a ty p ic a l re s id e n tia l stru c tu re fire any advantage probably w on’t be w orth the effort. W hen c o n d u c tin g a prim a ry se a rch s h o u ld you have a hose lin e w ith you? Some SO P s spec­ ify that as a requirem ent but re­ m em ber a p rim a ry se a rch is

d e s ig n e d to be q u ic k and d irty and so h a u lin g a ch a rg e d hose lin e may slo w that p ro ce ss down. C o n s id e r then just taking a 2.5-gallon water can in that at the very least w ill buy you e no u g h tim e to se a rch and get out and let the hose team go in and do th e ir job. Vent, Enter, Isolate and Search (VEIS) is another k in d of search that h in g e s on fire fig h te rs is o la t­ in g them selves from the fire that serves a d u a l p u rp o se of not fe e d in g the fire w ith oxygen w h ile p ro v id in g tim e to search. Once the is o la tio n part is do ne w h ic h u s u a lly is just a matter of c lo s in g a bedroom d o o r then a search can be com pleted q u ic k ly and/or v ic tim s rem oved thro u g h a w indow u s in g a ladder. W ith any search, V EIS in c lu d e d w h ile fire fig hte rs are se a rching any ex­ te rio r fire fig h te rs are p u ttin g up as many la d de rs as p o ssib le . As a general ru le there s h o u ld be at least two m eans of e gress from a seco nd story/roof. Lastly is the concept of “ Twoin, Two Out” . The most com m on d e fin itio n is w hen two fire fig h t­ e rs g o in to co n du ct a search tho se sam e two fire fig h te rs come out as a pair. So, if one fire ­ fig h te r goes low on a ir or fin d s a v ic tim then both fire fig h te rs exit

at the sam e tim e (with the v ictim of course). A second concept is that w h ile two fire fig h te rs are in c o n d u c tin g a se a rch a seco nd team of two is o u ts id e the do o r w ith a hose lin e c o v e rin g the search team s h o u ld it be neces­ sary. S till one other d e fin itio n I ’ve com e acro ss is that w h ile two fire fig h te rs co n du ct a prim a ry search there are two others w ait­ in g for them to com e out before p ro c e e d in g in to co n du ct a se a rch in an other part of the structure. To c o n c lu d e , rem em ber that s e a rc h in g a stru ctu re is h ig h ly v ariab le . In fact, a c c o rd in g to C h ie f R ic k M anocchi of the G le n v ille H ill FD a ll answ ers to q u e s tio n s about s e a rchin g start w ith the sam e two w ords “ It de ­ pen ds.” On that note, the re ’s no reason o n ly one team of two fire ­ fig h te rs s h o u ld be sent to c o n ­ du ct a search. If you have the a v a ila b le resources by a ll means m u ltip le team s can be sent in s i­ m ultaneously. New se a rch p o li­ c ie s may not be a ll they are cracked u p to be and may not fit you r departm ent so w h ile b e in g pro-active d o n ’t be so am b itio u s w here you overstep the c a p a b il­ itie s of you r department. -JO SEPH CEA

4) A lw ays have at least three ways to contact you r partner - v i­ s u a l, h e a rin g (use yo u r o u ts id e voice) and touch. 5) D on’t use the w orking end of a to o l to se a rch fo r v ic tim s - its lik e ly they are havin g a bad day already and d o n ’t need an axe bit in th e ir chest. 6) Ide ntify and c a ll out a ll p o s s i­ b le escape routes s u c h as w in ­ dow s, d o o rs an d a d d itio n a l o p e n in g s to other rooms. W h ile you are s e a rc hin g make su re you c h e c k EVERYTHING! B e h in d and u n d er b e ds (in c lu d ­ in g top bunks), in c lo s e ts and bathtubs. T h in k about w here sca red p e o p le (e sp e cia lly kids) are g o in g to hide. T h in k about how you are g o in g to se a rch a room - if you start w ith a righthanded search then c o n tin u e in that fa sh io n and d o n ’t sw itch up as that can throw off y ou r o rie n ­ tation. In a d d itio n to u s in g hand se a rc he s to g u id e , fire fig h te rs

GENOA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

LifeNet Activated After Serious Fall in Genoa GENOA, NY - On January 7th, ju st before 9:15 a.m., C ayuga C ounty 911 sent th e G enoa V olu n­ teer F ire Departm ent to h e lp S o u the rn C ayuga Instant A id , Inc. an d the K in g Ferry F ire Depart­ ment w ith a reported fa ll in ju ry in the 300 b lo c k of NY R o ute 34. C ars 1 th ro u g h 4, R e scue 1, an d E n g in e 2 w ere Genoa's response. After a rriv in g in a matter of m in u te s and c o n firm in g a fa ll of ro u g h ly 30 to 35 feet, R e scue 1 started tre a tin g the p atie nt rig h t away. A la n d in g zone was created fo r LifeN et of New York 7-12 by G enoa E n g in e 2 an d K in g Ferry u nits. In a d d itio n to the C ayuga C ounty S heriff's O ffice an d the New York State P o lic e , 15 G enoa p e rs o n n e l w ere on the scene. After a ro u n d 90 m in u tes, the s itu a tio n w as cle a re d an d g iv e n to state p o lice .

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

February, 2026

P A G E 29

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HOMER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Emergency Crews Respond to Reported Trapped Motorist in Homer HO M ER, NY - T he Hom er F ire D epartm ent w as c a lle d to th e in te rs e c tio n of R o ute 41 and H o u ghto n H ill Road on D ecem ber 9, 2025, in re s p o n se to a c o m p la in t of a car in a d itc h w ith a tra p p e d o ccu p an t a n d a p o te n tia l v e h ic le fire. B efore fire fig h te rs c o u ld arrive, the m o to rist was s u c c e s s fu lly re le a se d by th e C ounty S heriff's Office. W h ile in route, re s p o n d in g fire m e n re­ c e iv e d u pdates and m o d ifie d t h e ir a ssign m e nts. Crew s a s se ss e d for fire da ng ers, se cu re d the car, an d h e lp e d w ith sce n e safety as so o n as they a rrived.

NIVERVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT INC. It's com m on to c h a ra c te riz e th e fire de p artm e nt as a c lo se - k n it fa m ily c o m p o se d of n u m e ro u s s m a lle r fa m ily custom s. At th e N iv e rv ille F ire D epartm ent Inc., th e d e s c rip tio n s t ill h o ld s true. M em bers a c k n o w le d g e d the a c c e s s io n of a n o the r m u lti-ge n e ra ­ tio n a l fa m ily to th e de p artm e nt d u r in g th e m ost recent m o n th ly m eeting. J u n io r m em ber Reagan was c a lle d in for the firs t tim e du e to a recent c h im n e y fire. S he se rve s w ith her brother, C onnor, a firs t lieutenant, an d h er father, Pa ul Strobel, a form er c h ie f and c u r­ rent Car 2. Reagan's g ra ndfather A l, a form er c h ie f an d life m em ­ ber, a d d s to the fam ily's d e d ic a tio n .

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GENOA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT T ho se present at Locke F ire & Rescue's a n n u a l banquet re co g n ize d C h ie f Ray Dyer's in c re d ib le 55 years of se rvice , w h ic h in c lu d e d 48 years as chief. H is career w as c h a ra c te rise d by le a d e rs h ip , d e ­ vo tio n , an d co m m u nity involvem ent. G enoa F ire p ra is e d th e stro ng m utual a id c o n n e c tio n between the a g e n c ie s a n d tha n ke d Locke F ire m em bers fo r the in v ita tio n . C h ie f Dyer h as c o n tin u o u s ly h e lp e d nearby a g e n c ie s in tim e s of need as a c ru c ia l m utual a id partner. H is lo n g -s ta n d in g d e d ic a tio n to S o u the rn Cayuga C ounty fire safety in itia tiv e s as w e ll as the Lo cke n e ig h b o u rh o o d w as a ckno w l­ e d g e d by G enoa Fire. T he departm ent e x p re sse d g ra titu d e to C h ie f Dyer fo r de ca de s of steadfast se rv ic e and com m itm ent.

P A G E 30

February, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

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W ith great sorrow , th e H illc re s t F ire C om pany No. 1 a n n o u n c e d the lo s s of two p re v io u s c h ie fs and devoted m em bers w ho had left a la s tin g im p act on th e de p artm e nt an d th e com m unity. R o bert M urdo ck Sr., a life m em ber an d fo rm er c h ie f, d ie d on D ecem ber 26th after a p rotracted illn e s s . He w as liv in g in F lo rid a at the tim e of h is death. A s th e fa the r of th e late C h ie f R o b ert M u rdo ck Jr., C h ie f M urdock c a rrie d o n a s tro ng fa m ily tra d itio n in the fire se rv ­ ic e by s e rv in g the d epartm ent w ith devotio n. The departm ent a ls o lam ents the p a s s in g of J o hn Meyer, a 69-year L ife Member, form er C hie f, an d Trustee, w ho d ie d on J anuary 3rd. C h ie f Meyer w as the o ld e s t liv in g fo rm er c h ie f of th e departm ent a n d s e rv e d in n u m e ro u s le a d e rs h ip ro le s o v e r n e a rly seven decades.

MASONVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Tractor-Trailer Into Residence Draws Multi-Agency Response in M asonville

HILLCREST FIRE COMPANY NO. 1

M ASONVILLE, N Y - A trac­ tor-trailer was reported to have penetrated a hom e on D ecem b er 24, 2025, prom pting the M asonville V ol­ unteer Fire Depart­ ment. The truck driver w as un­ harmed, and the first responding o f­ ficers verified that the house was empty. The Walton Fire Department, N ew York State Police, Delaware County Sheriff's Department, N ew York State DOT, NYSEG, D on Oralis Garage, and a local co d e enforcem ent officer were am ong the agen cies with w hich firefighters coordinated and se ­ cured the situation. While Walton Fire helped with road closures in Walton, M ason ville firefighters b locked State Highway 206 at the M asonville crossroads. Throughout the incident, Delaware County 911 dispatchers offered assistance. Around 3:30 p.m., every unit went back into service. - C O U R T E S Y OF M A S O N V ILLE V O LU N T EE R F IR E DEPT.

HILLCREST FIRE COMPANY NO. 1

MASONVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

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BRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY H O L B R O O K , NY - In th e e v e n in g h o u rs of S unday, D ece m b e r 14, 2025, th e R o n k o n k o m a F ire D ep artm e n t w as d is p a tc h e d to a re p o rte d re s id e n tia l s tru c tu re fire lo c a te d o n B ria n Street. W h ile u n its w ere re s p o n d in g , R o n k o n k o m a d is p a tc h a d v is e d th e re w ere m u lt ip le c a lls on it an d S u ffo lk C o u nty P o lic e ESU-1 w as o n sc e n e a d v is in g a c tiv e fire .

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February, 2026

P A G E 32

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

LONG ISLAND] ADVERTISER

INDEX

A guide to finding great companies

C o m pa ny

Page

F ir e m a t ic

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CORPORATE INFORMATION 1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - New York edition - Vol. 28 No. 2 - is published monthly, 12 times a year for $48 per year by Belsito Communications, Inc., 1Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY 12553. Pe­ riodicals Postage Paid at Newburgh, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to 1st Responder News, 1Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY 12553. No financial responsibility is assumed by this newspaper to publish a display, classified, or legal ad or for t y p o ­ graphical errors ex­ cept of reprinting that part o f the ad which was omitted or in error. Omissions or errors must be brought to the at­ tention o f the newspaper during the same month o f publication. Printed in Canada.

C0PIAGUE FIRE DEPARTMENT

BAY SHORE FIRE DEPARTMENT

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PURUCATION CONTENT Notice: T h e advertisements, artic le s, and letters contained in th is p u b lic a tio n do not necessarily re fle ct the vie w s o f 1st Responder In c. and B e ls ito C om m unications, Inc. Advertisem ents are sold pur­ suant to the “ space av ailab le ” and corresponding fee schedule. The mere fact that advertisements are contained in th is pu b lica tio n does not express nor im p ly that 1st Responder In c. and B e ls ito Com m u­ nic atio ns, Inc. vouches fo r the c re d ib ility o f the c la im s made in the advertisements o r the representations expressed o r im p lie d in them.

A dditional

C0PIAGUE FIRE DEPARTMENT

news from Long Island can be found on our w ebsite at www.1rbn.com

BAY SHORE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Bay Shore Fire Department Extinguishes Outside Fire on Penataquit Ave. BAY S H O R E , NY - O n D ece m b e r 16, 2025, th e Bay S h o re F ire D ep a rtm e n t re s p o n d e d to a re p o rt of an o u ts id e fire o n P e ­ n a ta q u it A v e n u e in th e P e n a ta q u it V illa g e s e c tio n of Bay S hore. E n g in e 3-1-3 w as fir s t on sce n e , fo llo w e d s h o rtly by E n g in e 3-1-1, w ith Bay S h o re FD C h ie fs 30 a n d 32 a ls o re ­ s p o n d in g . F ire fig h te rs e n c o u n te re d an a c tiv e o u ts id e f ir e in ­ v o lv in g a la rg e d u m p s te r a n d q u ic k ly s tre tc h e d a h a n d lin e to b rin g th e fla m e s u n d e r c o n tro l. S u ffo lk C o u n ty P o lic e D e­ p artm e nt U n it 304 a s s is te d on scene. O f fic ia ls re p o rte d no f ir e e x te n s io n to n e a rb y s tru c tu re s , no c iv ilia n in ju rie s , an d th e c a u s e of th e fir e re m a in s u n d e r in v e s tig a tio n .

Community Heroes Bring Holiday Joy to Local Children at Copiague Event C O P IA G U E , N Y - M em bers o f the C op ia gu e Fire Department partnered with loca l law en force­ ment, fe llo w com m un ity heroes, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus to spread holiday ch eer during the annual Sh op w ith a H eroes and H elpers program held at Target. The event gave loca l children the opportunity to sh op for h o li­ day gifts a lon g sid e firefighters, p o lic e officers, and volunteers, creating a m em orable experience centered on gen erosity and c o m ­ munity connection. Participants gu ided children through the store, h elpin g them select m eaningful presents w h ile en surin g the evening remained fun, festive, and

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stress-free. T h rough out the night, the store w as fille d with sm iles as ch ildren co m p leted their sh o p ­ ping, ch eck ed out with the help o f first responders, and p o s e d for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The program highlights the strong b on d b etw een C o p ia g u e ’ s em er­ gen cy services and the fam ilies they serve. - C O U RTESY OF C O P IA G U E F IR E DEPT.

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

February, 2026

PA GE 33

W orking Fire in East C leveland ON THE BOOK SHELF by John Malecky

Working Fire in East C lev e­ land By M ichael C. Ede Available from: FSP B ooks 433 Main Street, Suite 2A Hudson, M A 01749 1-800-522-8528 Email: support@ fire-policeems.com wwv.fire-police-em s.com Price: $19.99 This is a soft cov er b ook measuring 6 inches by 9 inches, with 196 pages. The author is a retired lieutenant from that d e­ partment and shares his m em oirs in a very honest, genuine way, holding no punches when re­ quired and being accurate in many o f the details. B ein g a re­ tired m ember o f a career fire de­ partment, I can relate to much o f what he writes about. East C lev e­

land is a small suburb o f C lev e­ land, O hio and from what I read, I w ould not ever want to live there and w ondered if he did. As I read the book I realized that he did not live there. The town is ridden with crime, fires, typical politics and a lack o f funds to make it efficient. There are 27 chapters about war stories (working fires), firehouse training and routines, types o f fire­ fighters, relationships am ong d if­ ferent races o f firefighters, and many m ore subjects. The town has two fire stations and eventually re­ sponded to EM S calls, as w ell as fires and other emergencies. Som e o f the stories are heartbreaking and close calls. One particular chapter which was interesting was called “Rumors.”The chapter had stories that were never actually proven to be true, but m ight have been. Again, having put a career in a paid department, I could relate to som e o f these type stories that o c ­ curred in my own department or what I have known from visiting other departments. All in all, it is an excellent b ook that cou ld be read by anyone since much o f the FD lin go is explained by the au­ thor. It is a quick read with fairly short but nevertheless easy to read, interesting chapters.

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W o rking A partm ent F ire in Coram CORAM, NY - On January 4th, the Coram F ire Departm ent was activated for a reported apart­ m ent fire on T ow nhouse Drive. 5-6-32 q u ic k ly got on the road and d isp a tc h e d info rm ed him that it was a reported garage fire w ith e xtension to the apartm ents. 32 a rrived on scene, found heavy fire th ro u g h o u t and c a lle d an e x te rio r operation. L a dd er 1 arriv e d on scene, stre tched a lin e and started e x tin g u is h in g the fire. T ruck 1 a lso a rriv e d on scene and started tower ops. A d d i­ tio n a l Coram u n its e x tin g u is h e d a ll fire and found no one hurt. Crew s w ent back in to se rv ic e w ith in three h o u rs later.

P A G E 34

February, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

LONG ISLAND] Ronkonkoma Fire Dept. Battles House Fire in F rig id Temperatures HOLBROOK, NY - In the evening hours o f Sunday, December 14, 2025, the Ronkonkoma Fire De­ partment was dispatched to a reported residential structure fire located on Brian Street. While units were res p o n d i n g , Ronkonkoma dispatch advised there were multiple calls on it and Suffolk County Police ESU-1 was on scene advising active fire. Ronkonkoma Chief 5-24-32 arrived on scene and encoun­ tered a two-story pri­ vate dwelling with heavy fire on the first and second floor, and transmitted a working fire. Ronkonkoma Squad 524-6 arrived first due and put multiple handlines into operation. Once all visible fire was knocked down, the scene was placed under control and overhaul operations started. Mutual aid was provided by Central Islip FD, Sayville FD, Bo­ hemia FD, Lakeland FD, Bayport FD, Holbrook FD, Nesconset FD, Holtsville, Fanningville FD, Selden FD, Stony Brook VAC. Units operated imder the command o f Ronkonkoma Chief 5-24-32. The fire is cmrently imder inves­ tigation by Hie Town o f Brookhaven Fire Marshal Office and Suffolk County Police Department Arson Sec­ tion. BRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY

- B R A D L E Y FO W LER F ire fig h te rs o p e ra tin g out of H o lts v ille FD Tower La dd er 5-11-7.

BRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY

F ire sh o w in g on th e s e c o n d flo o r w indow .

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

February, 2026

PA GE 35

LONG ISLA DRILLS/TRAINING T o se e you r D rills in the new spaper u pload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esp on derN ew s.com or em ail them to L in d sey @ lstR esp on d erN ew s.co m

B rid g e ha m p to n F ire Departm ent EMTs re ce n tly co m p lete d a com ­ p re h e n s iv e 16-hour P re h o s p ita l Traum a L ife S u p p o rt (PHTLS) c o u rs e h e ld at the fire h o u s e , re in fo rc in g th e ir com m itm ent to p ro ­ v id in g th e h ig h e s t le ve l of em ergency m e d ic a l care in th e fie ld . The tra in in g was le d by C h ris to p h e r Fische r, P re h o s p ita l E d u c a ­ tio n & O utreach C o o rd in a to r from Stony B ro o k U n iv e rs ity H o s p i­ ta l’s D iv is io n of Traum a, D epartm ent of Surgery. T he PHTLS program , d e v e lo p e d by th e N a tio n a l A s s o c ia tio n of E m erg en cy M e dica l T e c h n ic ia n s (NAEMT) in c o o p e ra tio n w ith th e A m erican C o lle g e of S u rg e o n s ’ C om m ittee on Trauma, e m p h a size s c ritic a l th in k in g , ra p id a ssessm ent, an d evidence-ba sed d e c isio n - m a k in g in traum a situ a tio n s. T hro u g ho u t th e course, EMTs p a rtic ip a te d in hands-on s c e n a rio s co v e rin g patient a ssessm ent, s p in a l p re cau tio n s, c irc u la tio n m an­ agem ent, an d traum a in te rv e n tio n s d e s ig n e d to m irro r real-w orld e m e rg e n cies. T he se e x e rc is e s e n s u re d m em bers c o u ld a p p ly cla ssro o m in s tru c tio n d ire c tly to p ra c tic a l, life s a v in g s k ills . B rid g e ha m p to n F ire Departm ent e x p re sse d its a p p re c ia tio n to Mr. F is c h e r an d Stony B ro o k U n iv e rs ity H o s p ita l fo r th e ir c o n tin u e d p a rtn e rs h ip in p ro fe s s io n a l developm ent.

BAYPORT FIRE DEPARTMENT

Bayport Fire Department Joins Students to Support Matthew’s Wish Toy Drive BAYPORT, NY - M em bers of the B ayport F ire D epartm ent met w ith stu d e n ts an d fa cu lty from Jam es W ilso n Y oung M id d le S c h o o l to c o lle c t g ifts p u rc h a se d th ro u g h student-led fu n d ra is in g efforts in s u p p o rt of Matthew’s W ish. Now in its 15th year, Matthew’s W ish fo cu se s o n c o lle c tin g new toys for c h ild r e n ’s h o s p ita ls , s p re a d in g com fort an d joy to y o u n g p atie nts d u rin g d iffic u lt tim es. T he c o lla b o ra tio n h ig h lig h t e d th e stro ng co m m u nity p a rtn e rs h ip betw een lo c a l s c h o o ls and firs t re spo n de rs, w ith fire fig h te rs p ra is in g th e d e d ic a tio n an d g e n e ro sity show n by every­ one in volved. Departm ent m em bers extended th e ir g ra titu d e to a ll w ho h e lp e d organize, donate, and p a rtic ip a te in th e effort, e m p h a s iz in g the p o s itiv e im pact the se c o n trib u tio n s w ill have on c h ild re n in need.

i

APPARATUS IN ACTION

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BRIDGEHAMPTON FIRE DEPT.

BRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY

BRIDGEHAMPTON FIRE DEPT.

R o nko nko m a FD S q ua d 5-24-6 o p e ra tin g at the sce n e of a h o u se fire, 12/14/25.

PAGE 36

February, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

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BRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY CEHTER MORICHES FIRE DEPARTMEHT Search and rescue p ro fe ssio n a ls from across Long Is la n d gath­ ered at the Center M oriches F ire Departm ent for a U.S. Coast G uard Sector Long Is la n d Sound Search and R escue C o u n c il meeting, b rin g in g together a broad cross-section of agencies that ro utine ly respond to m aritim e em ergencies. The m eeting u nited representatives from fire departm ents, law en­ forcem ent agencies, em ergency management offices, com m ercial m arine salvage operators, and the U.S. Coast G uard Sector Long Is la n d Sound. Participa nts engaged in open d is c u s s io n focused on interagency coo rdina tion, operational c halle n g es, and lesso ns learned from recent in c id e n ts across Nassau and S uffolk C oun­ ties. O rganizers em phasized the im portance of c o lla b o ra tio n in com ­ plex, m ulti-agency re spo n se s on Long Is la n d ’s waterways. By sh a rin g experience and stre n g the ning professiona l re la tio n s hip s, agencies aim to im prove readiness, com m unication, and overa ll effectiveness d u rin g future search and rescue operations.

Gordon Heights FD Combats House Fire GORDON HEIGHTS, NY - In the afternoon hours o f Sunday, N o­ vember 2,2025, the Gordon Heights Fire Department was dispatched to a residence on Wilson Avenue for a re­ ported house fire. While Gordon Heights Chief 5-9-31 was respond­ ing, Suffolk County FRES dispatch­ ers advised that they took in multiple calls on the fire. Gordon Heights Chief 5-9-31 ar­ rived on scene and had smoke show­ ing. Upon further investigation, a working fire was transmitted with

in FILE #110425143

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heavy fire in the attic. Gordon Heights Engine 5-9-3 arrived first due and placed a handline into oper­ ation. Yaphank Engine 5-30-9 ar­ rived and placed a second handline in operation. Coram Ladder 1 arrived and started truck company opera­ tions. Upon the knock down o f the main body o f fire, crews started over­

haul operations and the incident was placed under control. Mutual aid was provided by Coram Fire Department, Middle Island Fire Department, Selden Fire Department, and Yaphank Fire Department. Units op­ erated under the command of 5-9-30. The fire is currently under inves­ tigation by the Town o f Brookhaven Fire Marshals Office and Suffolk County Police Department Arson Squad. - BRADLEY FOWLER

The Center M oriches F ire Department tha nked the Coast G uard and regional partners for the ir p articipation and reaffirm ed its com­ mitm ent to advancing m arine safety thro u g ho u t the region.

Additional news from Long Island can be found on our website at www.1rbn.com BRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

February, 2026

PA GE 37

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BRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY

BRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY BRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY

M em bers from H auppauge F ire Departm ent take a g ro u p p hoto after a q u ic k sto p at a h o u se fire in N esconset F ire D istric t.

Bob Long

BRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY

Coram FD Combats Semi Truck Fire CORAM, NY - In th e e v e n in g h o u rs of W ednesday, Decem ber 10, 2025, th e Coram F ire Departm ent w as d is p a tc h e d out to a reported o u ts id e fire o n M ill Road. Coram C h ie f 5-6-32 a rriv e d on sce n e a n d e nco un tere d a fu lly in v o lv e d 18 w heeler. Coram E n g in e 12 & La dder 1 a rriv e d a n d started p u ttin g m u ltip le h a n ­ d lin e s in to o p e ra tio n . D u rin g o p e ra tio n s , C h ie f 5-6-32 re ­ q ue ste d Yaphank F ire Departm ent fo r one tanker to th e scene du e to water s u p p ly issu e s. O nce a ll v is ib le fire w as kn ocked down, the scene was p la c e d u n d er control. Crews the n soaked th e tru c k down. No in ju rie s w ere reported. U n its op erated u n d e r th e com m and of Coram C h ie f 5-6-32. T he sc e n e was tu rn e d over to th e Town of B ro o khav e n F ire M arsha l’s office for fu rth e r in v e s tig a tio n .

“ M y d o c t o r h a s g iv e n m e t h r e e d a y s to g iv e u p d r in k in g . I p ic k e d M a rc h 7th, J u n e 10th, a n d N o v e m b e r 18th.”

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February, 2026

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RRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY Hagerm an F ire Departm ent operates t h is 2009 Ford F-550 S uper Duty/22 Foot C argo T ra ile r as T ech­ n ic a l R e sc ue 5-10-15.

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Auto Body Shop Fire in Rocky Point RO C K Y POINT, NY - On Novem ber 29, 2025, th e R o cky P o in t F ire Departm ent was activa ted for a reported auto body sh o p on fire on RT 25A. 5A7-31 a rriv e d on scene, had heavy sm oke sh o w in g a n d q u ic k ly reactivated th e w o rk in g fire. R ocky P o in t E n g in e 7 a rriv e d on sce n e and started e x tin g u is h in g the fire. R o cky P o in t T ru ck 14 a rriv e d on s c e n e an d sta rted p rim a ry se a rche s that were fo u n d negative. The fire was k n ocked dow n w ith in 30 m in u te s, an d th e sc e n e w as p la c e d u n d e r c o n tro l w ith in one hour.

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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 to w e r ?

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®

100' H e a v y - D u t y A e r ia l T o w e r!

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R e a c h in g h e ig h t s o f 100’ v e r t ic a lly

a n d 93' h o r iz o n t a lly , t h e A s c e n d a n t 100' A e r ia l T o w e r p a c k a g e s a 5 - s e c t io n h e a v y - d u t y s t e e l t o w e r o n t o a v e h ic le w it h a lo w o v e r a ll h e ig h t o f 10'8" a n d le n g t h o f o n ly 41'3" w it h a r e a r o v e r h a n g o f a r e a r - m o u n t t h a t m in im iz e s t a il- s w in g , it o f f e r s s u p e r io r m a n e u v e r a b ilit y a n d g r e a t e r v is ib ilit y . T h e A s c e n d a n t 100’ A e r ia l T o w e r is a v a ila b le o n a v a r ie t y o f c u s t o m

c h a s s is a n d b o d y s t y le s to m e e t y o u r d e p a r t m e n t ’s n e e d s . Its in t e g r a t e d g r o u n d p a d s

e lim in a t e t im e s p e n t t h r o w in g g r o u n d p a d s , s o s e t u p is s t r e a m lin e d a n d f a s t e r t h a n a n y o t h e r a e r ia l o n t h e m a r k e t . C o n f ig u r e d a s s h o w n w it h a r e a r a x le r a t in g o f o n ly 4 8 ,0 0 0 lb , it o u t p e r f o r m s w it h a 1,0 00 lb t ip lo a d c a p a c it y , u p to 2 0 - d e g r e e b e lo w g r a d e o p e r a t io n , a n d a b e lo w g r a d e 5 0 - d e g r e e s c r u b a r e a . A ll o f t h is is a c c o m p lis h e d a t a m e r e 20' s e t - b a c k f r o m t h e b u ild in g .

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FDNY Holds W alkout Ceremony for Com m issioner Robert S. Tucker BROOKLYN, NY - On Decem ber 20, 2025, the FDNY h e ld a w alkout cerem ony fo r F ire C om m is­ sio n e r Robert S. Tucker. Tuck, w ho h e ld the p o s itio n for a little more than a year, is w id e ly credited w ith resto rin g m orale a lo n g w ith several in itia tiv e s aim ed at diversity, com m unity aw areness and re d u c in g respon se tim e s fo r both s u p p re s s io n and EMS.

DAVID DURNS/@FD4D FDNY o ffic ia ls at a 5th alarm in R idgew ood.

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DEPARTMENT PROFILE Ify ou r department has photos you would like to see in our “Departmnt Profile”feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@ 1stResponderNews.com

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STEVE WHITE R ic h m o n d E n g in e C o m pa ny 1 de co rate d for the C h ris tm a s h o lid a y on D ecem ber 15, 2025.

OUR CALENDAR IS EXPANDING We Need Your Help!

Post an event in your area at www.1rbn.com

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Two C iv ilia n s Injured in Queens House F ire Q U E EN S , NY - F ire fig h te rs w ere d is p a tc h e d on D ecem b er 28, 2025 for a fire at 70-07 57th Road, a tw o-story 20x40 p riv a te d w e llin g w ith e x te n s io n to the e x p o s u re s . Two c iv ilia n s s u ffe re d m in o r in ju rie s .

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February, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

Five-Alarm Bronx F ire Guts M u ltip le Stores on Prospect Avenue BRONX, NY - On December 18, 2025, multiple stores in a tax­ payer in the Bronx were gutted in a five-alarm blaze that caused no serious injuries. At just before 10:30 PM, units were dispatched on a “loaded up”box due to quality and quantity o f calls re­ ceived to a reported fire in a multiple dw elling at 954 Prospect Ave. On arrival the fire was discovered in an adjoining taxpayer at 855 Prospect Ave. Heavy fire was in a 75X60 one-story structure with multiple retail stores and a large abandoned theatre in the rear as exposure “C ”. Flames broke through the roof and a full second alarm was transmitted and fo l­ low ed quickly by a third alarm and a fourth at 10:56. Operations were ordered d e­ fensive with four tower ladders in operation as well as three Multiversals and several hand lines. A fifth alarm was sounded at 11:19 as a heavy rain fell. The flames were contained to the original structure. The fire was able to be placed “ probably will hold” at 01:21. Units remained on the scene well into the morning with many units rotated for relief. -BILL TOM PKINS BILL TOMPKINS - WWW.BTFIREPHOTOS.COM

BILL TOMPKINS - WWW.BTFIREPHOTOS.COM

BILL TOMPKINS - WWW.BTFIREPHOTOS.COM

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February, 2026

P A G E 43

DAVID DURNS/@FD4D

DAVID DURNS/@FD4D

DAVID DURNS/@FD4D

DAVID DURNS/@FD4D

DAVID DURNS/@FD4D

R id g e w o o d M u ltip le D w e llin g F ire S ends F ire fig h te r to H o s p ita l R ID G E W O O D , NY - On J a n u a ry 6, 2026, f ir e f ig h t e r s w ere se n t to 1824 M a d iso n Street fo r a fire in se v e ra l o c c u p ie d m u lt ip le d w e llin g s in th e R id g e w o o d s e c tio n of th e b o r­ o u g h . O ne FDNY fire fig h t e r w as tra n s p o rte d by FDNY EMS to a lo c a l h o s p ita l.

DAVID DURNS/@FD4D

FDNY Lieutena nt Passes from 9/11 Illn e s s Q U EENS, NY - On Decem ber 31,2025, retired FDNY Lieutenant Gary Howard was la id to rest in a fu n era l se rv ic e h e ld at St. M el’s Rom an C a th o lic C hurch. Lt. Howard served d u rin g the Depart­ m ent’s War Years in som e of the b u sie s t co m p an ie s across Manhattan, B ro oklyn, the Bronx, and Q ueens, an d co m p lete d h is d is tin g u is h e d career at R e scue 2 in B ro oklyn. L ik e many w ho re­ sp o n de d to G round Zero, Lt. Howard later battled a W orld Trade Center-related illn e s s and passed away p ea c e fu lly at home. O ur th o u g h ts are w ith h is w ife P a tricia, h is so n E ric (active FDNY in S qua d 18), h is fam ily, and a ll of h is b ro the rs and s is te rs in the fire service.

February, 2026

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