1st Responder News NY May Edition

The New York Edition PUBLISHING S M C E 1 9 9 3

HOME SUBSCRIPTION - $48/YEA R

W W W .1RBN.COM

MAY,2 0 2 6

Qc. Si-oof"*

JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER/SIDEWINDER PHOTOGRAPHY

WEST SAND LAKE, NY — On February 19, 2026, at 3:18 AM, the West Sand Lake Fire Department, W ynantskill Fire Departm ent, East Greenbush Fire Department, A ve rill Park Fire Departm ent, and Sand Lake Am bulance were dispatched to the 43 Mall fo r a reported s tru c tu re fire. The caller reported black sm oke and flam es com ing from the roof of the b uilding . Sand Lake A m bulance n otifie d the d isp atche r that th ey had heavy sm oke and fire show ing from th eir b uilding across the street. See full story on Page 2

READY W HEN

fir etr u ck s . parts .se r vic e .

Y O U ARC

MOBILE SERVICE

9 7 LOCATIONS ORWECOME TO YOU!

Campbell

^camSellsu^plyxom supply company

Join our Team of Dispatchers Paging with a Rewards Program! Visit our website to fill out an application

^

st

| R esponder W

w w w .1rw n.com

t-am* y * ]

ir e l e s s

PAGE 2

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

Multiple-Alarm Commercial Mall Fire in West Sand Lake Handled by Over 100 Firefighters WEST SAND LAKE, NY — On February 19, 2026, at 3:18 AM, the West Sand Lake Fire De­ partment, Wynantskill Fire De­ partment, East Greenbush Fire Department, Averill Park Fire De­ partment, and Sand Lake Ambu­ lance were dispatched to the 43 Mall for a reported structure fire. The caller reported black smoke and flames coming from the roof of the building. Sand Lake Ambu­ lance notified the dispatcher that they had heavy smoke and fire showing from their building across the street. Averill Park Car 1 went en route, and the dis­ patcher relayed the additional in­ formation from the ambulance on scene. The chief immediately transmitted a second alarm and the tanker task force assignment, bringing the Best Luther Fire De­ partment, Poestenkill Fire De­ partment, Defreestville Fire Department, Eagle Mills Fire De­ partment, East Schodack Fire De­ partment, South Schodack Fire Department, Floags Comers Fire Department, Clinton Fleights Fire Department, and Tsatsawassa Fire Department to the scene. Command arrived on scene to find heavy fire showing from Crossroads American Grille, which was rapidly spreading. The first-arriving engine immediately deployed multiple handlines and began attempting to knock down the heavy fire conditions from the exterior of the structure. Com­ mand established a tanker drop site for water supply in the park­ ing lot of the 43 Mall. Approxi­ mately 16 minutes into the incident, the roof of the main fire building collapsed, and firefight­ ers transitioned to defensive op­ erations. With no fire hydrants near the mall, crews attempted to establish a water source near the brook by the bridge entering the mall area, but it was frozen over. Within minutes, another portion of the roof collapsed due to the heavy fire conditions. Firefighters then worked to establish water supply operations at nearby Racquet Lake and at a hydrant near Flart Lane. Flowever, many of the dry hydrants and water sources in the area were heavily frozen due to harsh winter conditions, making it difficult to secure a reliable and close water supply. As mutual aid tankers arrived, they began supplying water to the scene; however, due to the inten­ sity of the fire, water supplies were quickly depleted. Firefight­ ers continued deploying multiple handlines and conducted expo-

to file #031826147

i ffc sure protection to prevent the fire from spreading to other sections of the mall. As operations contin­ ued, heavy smoke began pushing from Unbreakable Nutrition, and fire extended into the attic space. Crews operating on the Delta side attempted to knock down the attic fire, but conditions were too in­ tense. Firefighters then advanced a 2 1//2 -inch handline to the front of the structure, where a collapse had already occurred, and at­ tempted to suppress the main body of fire. The truck company from the Wynantskill Fire Depart­ ment initiated master stream op­ erations, but due to water supply limitations, they were only able to operate briefly before shutting down. Tankers continued to shuttle water, making a demanding threemile round trip to refill. As oper­ ations progressed, the fire in Unbreakable Nutrition fully en­ gulfed the structure, and the front of the building collapsed. During this time, multiple large explo­ sions occurred in the rear of the building, shaking nearby appara­ tus. Firefighters shifted focus to the adjacent occupancy, where heavy smoke was pushing from the roof. Crews cut into the roof and searched for fire extension beyond the firewall, working to ensure the fire did not spread fur­ ther. Firefighters continued opera­ tions throughout the morning to bring the incident under control. Crews from numerous depart­ ments maintained water supply efforts while fire investigators from Rensselaer County and the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control worked to determine the cause. More than 100 firefighters responded to the incident. Two firefighters sus­ tained minor injuries requiring medical evaluation, along with several others who experienced slips, trips, and falls due to icy conditions at fill sites and on scene. West Sand Lake Fire Depart­ ment officials said the response highlighted the strength and unity of the local community. In a state­ ment following the incident, the department expressed deep grati­ tude to residents and local busi­ nesses who supported firefighters during the lengthy operation. “In moments like this, the true character of a community shines through,” the department

said. “We extend our deepest thanks to our residents and com­ munity partners who stepped up in support of the men and women working tirelessly through the early morning hours. A special thank you to Dunkin’ for gener­ ously donating several boxes of hot coffee, and to Chick-fil-A for providing breakfast sandwiches to help keep our firefighters fu­ eled as they battled this blaze. We also thank the West Sand Lake Auxiliary for their support in serving the many firefighters on scene. These acts of kindness mean more than words can ex­ press after hours of operating in cold, challenging conditions.” The department also offered words of support to the busi­ nesses affected by the fire, em­ phasizing that the community stands firmly behind them. Offi­ cials encouraged residents to sup­ port those impacted in the weeks and months ahead by shopping local, spreading the word, and as­ sisting with recovery efforts. “West Sand Lake has always been defined by resilience,” the statement continued. “Once again, that spirit is on full dis­ play.” - JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER

JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER/SIDEWINDER PHOTOGRAPHY

Firefighters venting the roof to get to fire that made it past the fire stop.

JEFFREY BELSCHWIHDER/SIDEWIHDER PHOTOGRAPHY

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

PAGE 3

AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR GROVES READY RACKS, PPE EXTRACTORS AND DRYERS

r

)

1)0

ArmorTuffTiles@gmail.com • w w w .arm ortufftile.com • 908-917-7697

PAGE 4

May, 2026

ADVERTISER INDEX

Company

Page

A rm o r T u ff F lo o rin g

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

3

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

THE UNAFFORDABILITY OF THE AMBULANCE EMS ISSUE

1 ,5 6

CHELLE CORDERO F IR E 2 0 2 6

35

F ire m a tic S u p p ly C o .

11

G a rris o n F ire & R e s c u e

11

J e ro m e F ire E q u ip m e n t

11

M id A tla n tic R e s c u e

5

S in g le Fin G o lf C o.

50

S ta te L in e F ire & S a fe ty

23

CORPORATE INFORMATION 1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - New York edition - Vol. 27 No. 5 - is published monthly, 12 times a year for $48 per year by Belsito Communications, Inc., 1 Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY 12553. Pe­ riodicals Postage Paid at Newburgh, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to 1st Responder News, 1Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY 12553. No financial re­

B m U B U TO

assumed £ this newspaper , communications,inc. to publish a display, classified, or legal ad or for typographical errors except o f reprinting that part of the ad which was omit­ ted or in error. Omissions or errors must be brought to the attention of the newspaper during the same month of 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 imply that 1st Responder Inc. and Belsito Communications, Inc. vouches for the credibility o f the claims made in the advertisements or the representations expressed or implied in them.

It is the middle of the night, and someone just dialed 911. “It’s an emergency!” says the desper­ ate caller. The dispatcher puts the call out... But the response takes a while, even longer than the worried caller expects. Depending on where you are in New York State, and WHO may be available, the ambulance may be all-volunteer, or it may be a 24-hour paid service. That part does not really matter, not at that point at least, so long as the pa­ tient gets the medical help he (or she) needs. After the initial crisis, includ­ ing the amount of time for re­ sponse, survival and the bill for service, there are probably a lot of comments, some heated, some merely distraught. If the respond­ ing service was all-volunteer, there may be questions “WHY is the bill so high?” If the response service is supported by paid members or funded by the local municipality, why didn’t they ar­ rive more quickly? Every community in New York State offers 911 and the ap­ propriate response, but some­ times the local volunteer service has limited operating hours and the paid service that covers must travel further and maybe negoti­ ate rugged roads. In New York City, the state’s largest city, there are more than 70 EMS agencies including municipal, volunteer, and hospital run ambulance serv­ ices. Some smaller towns in New York State are dependent on

small volunteer outfits or county wide services that take time to travel to the scene. While several volunteer serv­ ices offer limited operating hours, the paid services are sometimes short-staffed as well. Unfortu­ nately careers in EMS are rarely profitable. The NYS EMS work­ force has lost several members over the years, some due to aging out, and many more due to low wages and the cost of living. The high cost of living in NYS, and the salaries of paid responders, are opposite in comparison to the rest of the country. The costs of new rigs, maintenance and insurance hinder even the all-volunteer out­ fits. In addition to the high costs of ambulance maintenance, equip­ ment and insurance, the cost of living in NYS is more than 30% of the rest of the county (with NYC averaging 75% more), and yet the salary of paid NYS-EMS can av­ erage less than $25 per hour. Most EMS providers, especially in urban areas like NYC, need to work more than one job to make ends meet. Many paid and volun­ teer ambulance corps find them­ selves short-staffed due to a shortage of providers. Unfortunately, the shortage of providers as well as the cost of ambulance maintenance and oper­ ating costs put the average citizen at a disadvantage. Then private health insurance and Medicare rarely cover most of the ensuing bills. The costs of running the squad, whether paid or volunteer providers, put more of a drain on the operations. Perhaps if the state were to fi­ nally acknowledge and designate our EMS responders and the com­ panies they rode with as ESSEN­ TIAL SERVICES, then funding, faster insurance reimbursements, better agency coordination, higher wages, and lower employee turnover might be possible.

PUTNAM VALLEY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Putnam V alley Firefighters Assist Driver in Early-M orning Crash PUTNAM VALLEY, NY - On March 4th, m embers of the Put­ nam Valley Volunteer Fire Department responded to an earlym orning MVA on Tinker Hill after a vehicle overturned onto its side. The call came in at approxim ately 5:00 a.m., w ith re­ sponders a rriving to fin d the vehicle resting on its side in the roadway. F irefighters assisted the driver in safely exiting the vehicle w hile crew s secured the scene and checked fo r haz­ ards. The d river was evaluated by em ergency personnel at the scene and later tran spo rted to the hospital fo r fu rth e r evaluation. A fter the situation was stabilized and the scene cleared, all responding members and apparatus returned to their stations w ith o u t fu rthe r incident.

COURTESY OF CHENANGO FIRE COMPANY INC.

Box Truck Crash on Interstate 81 Prompts Hazmat Response BROOME COUNTY, NY - On February 24th, fire fig h te rs re­ sponded to a box tru c k crash on Interstate 81 South after re­ ce ivin g rep orts th a t the ve h icle had o verturn ed in to the median. W hile personnel were responding, dispatch advised that the vehicle was tran sp o rtin g dangerous g oods that may be explosive. Upon arrival, responders secured the area and assessed the scene, w hich was confirm ed to be safe. Sev­ eral agencies responded to the incid en t, in c lu d in g the Broom e C ounty S h e riff's O ffice, Broom e Volunteer Emer­ gency Squad Inc., Broome C ounty Office of Emergency Serv­ ices, New York State Departm ent o f T ransportation, and the New York State Departm ent of Environm ental C onservation Spill Response Team.

I st R esponder N ew spaper - NY

PAGE 5

M ay, 2026

Deluxe Package Removable Seats Light bar mount Prop or Jet Dive Platform Fire Pump option Light tower option K9 Walkway option

■Double stack trailer ■Inflatable or Aluminum ■Spare motor mount Versatility • Surge Brakes ■Elec. Winch to lower to| Optional Light Tower

Shop online www. M id A tianticRescue. com

Inflatable Series 5 Chambers +keel Aluminum floor or Air floor Reinforced Kevlon TM Optional motors makes available All Welded seams

COSTARS

Mid-Atlantic Rescue Systems, Inc. PH 1-877-622-6277 - Fax 208-460-8648 www.MidAtlanticRescue.com

PAGE 6

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

1 "R e s p o n d e r N ew spaper 1 ARDMORE STREET • NEW WINDSOR, NY 12553 845-534-7500 • (fa x) 845-534-0055 • N e w s@ 1 stR e sp o n d e rN e w s.co m

EXECUTIVE STAFF

PUBLISHER

JOCBelsitO (Joe® 1stRespondernews.com) GENERAL MANAGER

Kathy Ronsini (Kathy@1stResponderNews.com)

In memory of those who gave all

MANAGING EDITOR

Lindsey Palmer (Lindsey® IstResponderNews.com) PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Ashley Ramos (Ashley® 1stResponderNews.com)

1st Responder Newspaper honors and remembers

OPERATIONAL MANAGER

Nicholas BelsitO (Nicholas@1stResponderNews.com)

emergency responders lost in the line of duty

DISPATCHER RECRUITMENT & RETENTION (Rich® 1stResponder.com)

EDITORIAL STAFF

COLUMNISTS 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 • Brian Berkey • David Bums • Mike Carey • Mlichael Contaxis • Jeff Crianza • Russell Curley • Vinnie Dominick • Patrick D’Onofrio • Bob Faugh • Bradley Fowler • John Greco • Paul Harrington • Gary Hearn • Ron Jeffers • Lany Kensinger • Bob 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~

Arizona: J. Hank Hester, 70 Rank: Firefighter/Equipment Operator Incident Date: September 8,2025 Death Date: September 8, 2025 Fire Department: Southwest Area Incident Management Team 3 Initial Summary: On the afternoon of September 8, 2025, Firefighter/Equipment Operator J. Hank Hester collapsed while performing suppression repair at the Dragon Bravo Fire near the Grand Canyon North Rim in Arizona. Line paramedics performed CPR at the scene, but Firefighter/Equipment Operator Hester could not be resuscitated. The suspected cause of death is a cardio­ vascular emergency.

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 of correspondents or columnists! 1st Responder Newspaper welcomes submissions by our readers. Send stories and photos to us at 1Ard­ more St. New Windsor, NY 12553. Or, give us a call or send us an e-mail. If using the mail, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for all sub­ missions you wash to have returned. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any editorial or advertising material submitted. 845-534-7500 ext. 212 • (fax) 845-534-0055 News@1 stR esponderN ew s.com

ADVERTISING INFORMATION If you would like information about how advertising in 1st Responder News can benefit your company call our advertising hotline at: 845-534-7500 ext. 211 • (fax) 845-534-0055 A dvertising@ 1stR espon derN ew s.com

CIRCULATION INFORMATION 1st Responder Newspaper is delivered to all fire, rescue, ambulance stations and hospitals. If you do not receive your papers, please contact our circulation department. Home subscriptions are $36 per year. 845-534-7500 ext. 220 • (fax) 845-534-0055 C ircu lation @ 1stR esp ond erN ew s.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN/MARKETING 1st Responder News’ graphics team will work with you on your adver­ tisement free of charge. Addition­ ally, we offer a complete marketing department for all of your printed . communications, inc. needs. Whether they are posters, or single sheet handouts, full color or black and white, no one else delivers the high quality work at our competitive prices. As a newspaper in the Belsito Communications Inc. family, 1st Responder News 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 Color 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 lnfo@ B elsito.com

Georgia: Preston Fant, 53 Rank: Master Firefighter Incident Date: Sep. 8, 2025 Death Date: Sep. 8, 2025 Fire Department: DeKalb County Fire Rescue Initial Summary: At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sep­ tember 8, 2025, Master Firefighter Preston Fant along with other units from DeKalb County Fire Rescue re­ sponded to a warehouse fire in Lithonia, Georgia. Mas­ ter Firefighter Fant was injured approximately 15 minutes into the interior attack. Rescue operations and lifesaving efforts began immediately on scene. Master Firefighter Fant was transported to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Texas: Stephen Scott, 62 Rank: Firefighter/Paramedic Incident Date: Sept. 14, 2025 Death Date: Sept. 17,2025 Fire Department: Houston Fire Department Initial Summary: On September 14, 2025, Firefighter/Paramedic Stephen Scott suffered a medical emergency while transporting a patient to a local hospi­ tal. Firefighter/Paramedic Scott was admitted to the same hospital and subsequently transported by Life Flight to a medical center where, despite surgery and continued treatment, he passed away on September 17,

2025. The cause of death has yet to be determined. Arizona: Brenna Kulikowski, 31 Rank: Firefighter/Paramedic Incident Date: Sept. 14, 2025 Death Date: Sept. 14,2025 Fire Department: Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District Initial Summary: Firefighter/Paramedic Brenna Kulikowski and Firefighter/EMT Damon Thompson were in an ambulance returning to their station after leaving a hospital from an interfacility transport. While on State Route 260, another vehicle traveling in the other direction collided head-on with the ambu­ lance. Firefighter/Paramedic Kulikowski and Fire­ fighter/EMT Thompson were both pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver o f the other vehicle also passed away from injuries sustained in the colli­ sion. Investigation into the incident continues. Arizona: Damon Thompson, 21 Rank: Firefighter/EMT Incident Date: Sept. 14, 2025 Death Date: Sept. 14,2025 Fire Department: Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District Initial Summary: Firefighter/EMT Damon Thompson and Firefighter/Paramedic Brenna Kulikowski were in an ambulance returning to their station after leaving a hospital from an interfacility transport. While on State Route 260, another vehicle traveling in the other direc­ tion collided head-on with the ambulance. Firefighter/EMT Thompson and Firefighter/Paramedic Kulikowski were both pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle also passed away from injuries sustained in the collision. Investigation into the incident continues.

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

PAGE 7

DRIIIS/TRAINING To see yo u r D rills in the new spaper upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com o r em ail them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com

GASPORT FIRE-RESCUE

ONSKANY FAILS FIRE DEPARTMENT

Mutual Aid Departments Assist at Oriskany Falls Barn Fire ORISKANY FALLS, NY - A reported barn fire at 2525 PerryShumaker Road on March 9th prompted the Oriskany Falls Fire Department and many mutual aid agencies to respond. Within six minutes. Engine 2 arrived and saw a big, roughly 130-by 80-foot agricultural and storage building with consider­ able smoke coming from its eaves and gable vents. Firefighters quickly put out the main body of fire after declaring a working fire and deploying a LA-inch hand-

Jumpto file #032826154 m

a s

line. Other units helped with over­ haul, suppression, and water sup­ ply. Vernon Center, Deansboro, Munnsville (FAST), Madison, Vernon, Clinton, Westmoreland, Clark Mills, and other county re­ sources were among the mutual aid departments. - 1 RN NEWS TEAM

GASPORT FIRE-RESCUE

ORISKANY FALLS FIRE DEPARTMENT

GASPORT, NY — February 27th — Members of Gasport Fire-Rescue trained in ice water rescue on frozen streams using the ch illy winter weather. Several firem en from Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company participated in the training, along w ith teams from the M iddleport Fire Department and Hartland Volun­ teer Fire Company. The procedures employed in cold water situations, such as victim approach across ice, throw bag deployment, and the use of ice rescue suits and flotation equipment, were the emphasis of the evening sim ulation. During the training, members of the Niagara County Technical Rescue Team gave dem onstrations of other rescue methods and tools utilized in specific situations. Because of the dangers presented by frozen ponds, canals, and waterways, ice rescue training is still a crucial winter activity fo r fire departments in Western New York.

PAGE 8

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

M u tu a l A id C rew s W o rk O v e rn ig h t F ire in S o u th Q ue e n sb u ry QUEENSBURY, NY Queensbury EMS and firefighters from the South Queensbury Fire Department were called to a re­ ported structure fire near East San­ ford Street on February 27th. The first person to arrive was Queensbury Central Chief Duprey, who confirmed that there was a fully involved bam fire well off the road. To contain the fire, crews started an outside fire attack and strung hose lines throughout the property. Fire­ fighters carried out a thorough ex­ amination to look for any concealed hot spots after the main body of fire was put out. Queensbury Central Volunteer Fire Company, West Glens Falls Volunteer Fire Company, Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Company, and Kingsbury Volunteer Flose Company all offered mutual aid. The South Queensbury station was covered by the Fludson Falls Vol­ unteer Fire Department during the incident. -1NR NEWS TEAM

SOUTH QUEENSBURY FIRE DEPARTMENT

SOUTH QUEENSBURY FIRE DEPARTMENT

Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

PAGE 9

UPGRADE YOUR DEPARTMENT WEBSITE IN 2026 Turn to the Team You Already Trust 1st Responder News Web Development Benefits: 3 Secure, Reliable Hosting

Regular R a te ^

$895

3 Routine Updates & Maintenance

3 DailyBackups 3 Performance Monitoring 3 24/7 Hosting Support

3 Mobile-Responsive Design 3 SEO Optimization

2026

PROMOTIONAL RATE

S695A

Call: 888-235-7486 ext. 219 Email: Joe@1 stResponderNews.com

**

•*

A trusted partner of emergency services community for over 30 years

Includes hosting, maintenance, and full support

PAGE 10

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

Early-M orning Structure Fire in Walden Draws M ulti-D epartm ent Response WALDEN, NY — Orange Lake Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire on March 25th at approximately 6:43 AM., at 3 Snider Avenue. Orange Lake Car 1 arrived on scene and radioed that there was smoke showing, and requested a sec­ ond alarm, bringing Winona Lake, New­ burgh, Plattekill, and Walden to the scene. Firefighters de­ ployed handlines and ground ladders while crews venti­ lated the roof. Additional depart­ ments assisted with overhaul operations and checked for fire ex­ tension. Orange County Deputy Fire Coordinator 36-13 was on scene. Central Fludson was requested to respond to secure and shut off power. Town of Newburgh Police and EMS were also on scene, along with the Town of Newburgh Fire Inspector’s Office. The fire is currently under investigation. Good Will Fire Department stood by at Winona Lake, while Coldenham stood by at Orange Lake. - BOB MCCORMICK BOB MCCOBMICK

BOB MCCOBMICK

PAGE 11

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

I NTRODUCI NG THE

ALTAIR® 4XR Multigas Detector

RUGGED

RELIABLE

• Can survive a 25-foot drop • Certified military-grade repeated drop test protection (MIL-STD-810G) • Agency-certified IP68 rating for dust and water ingress (2 meters for 1 hour)

7 *

L ± SUPPLY

REAL-TIME

• Full 4-year standard warranty — a year longer than the industry average • MSA XCell® Sensors offer superior speed, stability, accuracy and repeatability • < 15-second sensor response. clear and bump test times

COMPANY

< I# W *IRE F EQUIPMENT

• Get real-time event notifications via the MSA ALTAIR Connect app • Check for bump test compliance at a glance thanks to the Bump LED |

GETITON * G oogle Play

• ■

Vs

CO., INC.

1-888-434-7362 | firematic.com

5MSA 2019 • ID 60-5998-MCP / 09.2019

Jerome Fire 1-800-699-4533 jeromefire.com

Garrison Fire 6 Rescue 1-800-287-2206 garrisonfire.com

/V IS A The Safety Company

PAGE 12

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

MEMORIAL BOARD I f your departm ent has photos you w ould like to see in o u r “M em orial B oard” feature please upload them on our w ebsite www. IR B N .com or em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com

The Aurora Volunteer Fire De­ partm ent confirm ed the death of longtim e member Ron Jones, w ho had served the de­ partm ent fo r 67 active years and 69 years total.

BOB MCCORMICK

Two-Car Crash into Utility Pole Responded to in Newburgh NEWBURGH, NY — Vails Gate Fire Departm ent was d is ­ patched to a tw o-vehicle MVA involving a vehicle into a pole on March 18th at 1053 Little Britain Road (Route 207). New W indsor Police and EMS were on scene. Central Hudson was requested due to damage to the u tility pole. One d river was tran spo rted to M ontefiore St. Luke’s H ospital. Fire depart­ m ent u nits w ere not needed and returned to service. New W indsor Police are investigating the cause of the accident.

Jones held various leadership p o sitio n s th ro u g h o u t his ca­ reer, including A ssistant Chief, and was a founding member of the co u n ty 's High A ngle Res­ cue Team. Departm ent mem­ bers rem em bered him as a com m itted firem an, mentor, and staunch supporter of pub­ lic service in the Aurora com ­ munity. His d edication to the depart­ m ent extended to his family, w ith four of his children and ten of his grandkids serving along­ side him in the fire service.

COURTESY OF AURORA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

ACTION SHOTS If you have photos you w ould like to see in our “A ction Shots” feature, please upload them on our website, w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .

COURTESY OF BLAUVELT VOL. FIRE COMPANY INC.

B la u v e lt F ire fig h te rs E x tric a te D river fro m O verturned V e h ic le WESTVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEFT.

WESTVILLE, NY — February 17th — A pastor and firefig hte rs hurt in an e xplosion at a ch urch in B o on ville received help from the W estville Volunteer Fire Department. Follow ing reports of an ex­ plosion w ith in the church, emergency personnel arrived. First re­ sponders helped w ith patient care, b u ild in g security, and evacuation. A num ber of people were reportedly hurt during the incident.

BLAUVELT, NY - The Blauvelt Volunteer Fire Company responded at about 6:30 a.m. on February 19th to a reported vehicle accident w ith entrapm ent at the intersection of Western Highway and Sgt. Demeola Road. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a vehicle on its side, w ith one occupant trapped inside. Crews q uickly began extrication procedures and securely rem oved the ind ivid ­ ual from the vehicle. The patient was transported to the South Orangetown Am bulance Corps fo r evaluation and treatm ent.

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

PAGE 13

EMM Loans Joins Heroes Mortgage Program, Expands Financing Options for Community Heroes The Heroes Mortgage Program has announced that EMM Loans has jomed its platform as a par­ ticipating lending partner, further expanding fi­ nancing options available to community heroes nationwide. The Heroes Mortgage Program is designed to connect first responders and other essential pro­ fessionals with lenders offering specialized mort­ gage products and financial support. The platform serves firefighters, police officers, EMTs, military personnel, healthcare workers, and educators, including both active and retired members. “We’re very excited to have EMM Loans come on board as a participating lender of the Heroes Mortgage Platform,” said Joseph Belsito. “Their commitment to providing meaningful financial solutions aligns with our mission to support those who serve our communities every day.” With its addition to the platform, EMM Loans

will provide a broader range of financial solutions beyond traditional home lending. In addition to residential mortgage financing and refinancing, the company will offer down payment assistance programs tailored to eligible borrowers within the hero community. The partnership also introduces expanded fi­ nancial services, including home equity solutions such as HELOCs and cash-out refinancing, as well as commercial financing options for invest­ ment properties and busmess purposes. In addi­ tion, EMM Loans will provide access to SBA lending programs, allowing qualified borrowers to pursue small business opportunities and long­ term financial growth. Industry observers note that the inclusion of commercial and SBA financing within a hero-fo­ cused lending platform reflects a growing trend of lenders offering more comprehensive financial solutions to clients, particularly those seekmg to

build wealth beyond homeownership. The Heroes Mortgage Program mamtams a se­ lective network of lending partners, choosing in­ stitutions that demonstrate a commitment to service, transparency, and the ability to deliver enhanced benefits to community heroes. EMM Loans’ participation reinforces that mission, bringing additional resources and expertise to the platform. For eligible borrowers, the partnership provides access to a wider range of financing tools from purchasing or refinancing a home to leveraging equity or securing funding for busmess ventures - through a single, streamlined platform. Community members interested in learning more about available programs can visit www.HeroesMortgageProgram.com/EMMLoans or call 866-497-8833 for additional in­ formation.

Helping get you the home financing you deserve.

V

Heroes MORTGAGE® HeroesMortgageProgram.com/EMMLoans

Phone: 866-497-8833 Heroes Mortgage Program® is a marketing initiative and accompanying website owned and operated by Belsito Communications Inc. The Heroes Mortgage Program® is neither a lender nor a broker and does not originate or make loans nor make any credit decisions in connection with loans,but makes visitors to the site aware of licensed lenders that do. The Program is not an agent of either the consumer or any participating bank, lender or mortgage broker. There is never any charge to the consumer to use the Heroes Mortgage Program®. The Heroes Mortgage Program® does not guarantee that submitting requested information to participating lenders will result in the origination of a loan froma Lender, nor does it guarantee that the consumerwill receive a loan with the most advantageous rate or terms.

PAGE 14

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

Fire Service H istory Celebrated in Chestertown CHESTERTOWN, NY - In February, members of the Chester­ town Vol. Fire Department, Chestertown Fire District, and Chestertown Fire Fadies Auxiliary attended the Fire­ man's Museum opening, which was hosted by the Historical Society of the Town of Chester. The event celebrated the Chestertown Fire Company's rich heritage and hon­ ored the firelighters and commu­ nity members who have served the district over the years. During the reception. Fire Chief Daren Harvey received a photo album documenting previ­ ous occurrences and milestones in the department's history. Officials highlighted that the presentation demonstrated the department's strong commitment to the commu­ nities it serves. Several department members and auxiliary members attended the event, which provided an opportunity to reflect on the or­ ganization’s history and its contin­ ued commitment to protecting the community. - 1RN NEWS TEAM CHESTERTOWN VOL. FIRE DEPARTMENT

F ire fig h te rs B a ttle Heavy F lam es a t K in g sto n -A re a House F ire KINGSTON, NY - In the Town of Ulster, firefighters from the Ulster Hose Co. responded to a reported house fire on February 10th. The Ulster Police Department arrived and re­ ported a well-in­ volved structure fire while units were on their way. Car 1 brought more personnel, mutual aid assis­ tance, and utilities to the area after requesting a working fire assign­ ment. When firefighters arrived, they discovered a one-story, 25by-35-foot house with fire coming from the number four side and a lot of smoke throughout. Engine 3 arrived first, then Engine 4, which set up a water supply and secured a hydrant. Crews launched a fire attack after stretching two hand­ lines. Other departments helped with overhaul, ventilation, and searches. The scene was eventu­ ally given to investigators once the fire was contained and searches up negative. - 1RN NEWS TEAM

ULSTER HOSE C0.#5

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

PAGE 15

ROME PR0FESSI0HAL FIREFIGHTERS IAFF LOCAL 694

ULSTER HOSE C 0.#5

ROME PR0FESSI0HAL FIREFIGHTERS IAFF LOCAL 694

ULSTER HOSE C 0 J 5

U lster Hose Co. A ssists a t Second Alarm House Fire in Kingston KINGSTON, NY - U lster Hose Co. fire fig h te rs provided mu­ tual aid to the Saw kill Fire Department in response to a sec­ ond alarm s tru ctu re fire, February 10th. O fficers on scene reported a one-story single-fam ily residence w ith a fire in the attic and sm oke com ing from the top. U lster Hose's Engine 4 arrived on scene, and w orkers helped Saw kill fire fig h te rs w ith th e ir su pp re ssion e ffo rts. Before sta rtin g overhaul to look fo r any leftover hot spots, firefig hte rs w orked to contain the a ttic fire and sto p it from spreading to other areas o f the stru ctu re . A fte r about 1.5 hours of operation, U lster Hose u nits cleared the area and resumed th e ir duties.

Rome Fire Department Swears-ln Four New Firefighters ROME, NY - A t a cerem ony held at Rome C ity Hall on March 12th, the Rome P rofessional F ire fig h te rs IAFF Local 694 w elcom ed and sw ore in fo u r new fire fig h te rs . Jo hn G otti, C hristopher Mackey, David Reilly, and Damon Stafford w ill start a 14-week tra in in g program at the U tica Fire A cadem y a fte r fo rm a lly jo in in g th e departm ent. The s ch o o l o ffe rs both classroom and p ractical tra in in g in em ergency m edical response, fire fig h te r safety, rescue o p e ra tio n s, and fire su p p re s s io n . New m em bers are prepared fo r the v a rie ty o f o c c u r­ rences handled by m unicipal departm ents, such as auto m o b ile a ccidents, m edical em er­ g encies, and b u ild in g fire s , th ro u g h fire s c h o o l tra in in g . The fire fig h te rs w ill s ta rt fie ld a ssig nm e nts in th e C ity o f Rome after gra du atin g fro m the academy.

PAGE 16

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

HONORS & PROMOTIONS If you have photos you would like to see in our “H onors & Promotions” feature, please upload them on our website, w ww.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey @ 1stResponderNews. com.

March 7th — Members of the Kennedy Fire Department gathered for the 2026 Annual Banquet to honor the service and devotion of firemen and EMS personnel during the previous year. Rob Smith, Liz Smith, Melissa Fardink, Corey Swanson, Shondae Nowicki, and Matt Elderkin were honored at the event as EMS Personnel of the Year for their dedication to patient care and emergency response. Josh Bennett was named Firefighter of the Year fo r his service to the department and the community. The departm ent’s executive members also recognized Chief Keith Bean fo r reaching 10 years of service as chief.

PATTERSON FIRE DEPARTMENT

F irefighters and Rescue Teams Rescue Dog Stranded Below W aterfall in Putnam County

COURTESY OF KENNEDY FIRE DEPT.

COURTESY OF KENNEDY FIRE DEPT.

Additional news from around New York can be found on our website at www.1rbn.com

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY On March 8th, firefighters and res­ cue technicians responded to the Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area after a young dog became trapped on a rock ledge below a waterfall. At approxi­ mately 9:15 a.m., the Patterson Fire Department was dis­ patched after 14month-old K9 Rudy fell about 15-feet down a cliff near Quaker Brook waterfall. The dog landed on a small rock outcropping beside the rushing water and was unable to climb back to safety. Due to the difficult terrain and snow-covered wooded trails nearly a mile from the road, responders deployed UTV 22-8-3 along with Rescue 22-6-1 and Fire Police 228-1. Additional assistance was re­ quested from the Putnam County Technical Rescue Team for spe­ cialized rope rescue equipment and UTV support, along with man­ power from Putnam Lake and Brewster Fire Departments. With safety measures in place, including personnel positioned downstream in case the dog slipped into the water, Patterson Fire Department Captain Greco — also a member of the Technical Rescue Team — was lowered down the icy cliff using rope res­ cue equipment. After spending more than two hours stranded on the narrow ledge, Rudy eagerly climbed into the rescuer’s arms and was safely hauled back to the top. The dog was unharmed and re­ united with its owner thanks to the

PATTERSON FIRE DEPARTMENT

coordinated efforts of the firelighters and rescue technicians who worked together to complete the

challenging rescue, - 1RN NEWS TEAM

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

PAGE 17

MEMORIAL BOARD I f y o u r departm ent has photos you w ould like to see in our “M em orial B oard” feature please upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lR B N .com or em ail them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com

Chief Nicholas Chad Snyder, age 45, of Atlanta, answered his final call w hile at home Wednes­ day, February 18, 2026.

CAUGHDENOY VOL. FIRE DEPARTMENT

Caughdenoy Firefighters Assist at Three-Alarm Fire on County Route 4 CENTRAL SQUARE, NY - In the Palermo Volunteer Fire De­ partm ent d is tric t on C ounty Route 4, fire fig h te rs from the C aughdenoy Vol. Fire Departm ent arrived to a ssist w ith a three-alarm structure fire on February 21st. Personnel from Rescue Pumper 622 and Tanker 651 responded. Before the fire was contained, crew s assigned to interior fire operations w orked inside the building fo r alm ost 90 minutes. Firefighters conducted overhaul fo r alm ost tw o more hours in order to fin d and put out any hot spots. Tanker 651 transported w ater from a neighboring fill site to assist w ith suppression e fforts because there w eren't enough hydrants in the area. Before going back into operation, u n its ran fo r alm ost fo u r hours. Standby coverage was offered by the West Monroe Volunteer Fire Department.

Nick was born on June 9, 1980, in Dansville to Ronald Snyder and Judy (Kern) Clark. He was a 1998 graduate of Wayland-Cohocton Central School and earned his A ssociate’s Degree in Fire Science. Nick proudly served as Chief of the Atlanta Hatch Hose Fire Department and as Deputy Director of E-911 in Bath. Service to his com m unity was in Nick’s blood. He started his fire service in the Explorer program in Cohocton. For many years, he served as a fire investigator in Steuben C ounty and dedi­ cated countless hours to pro­ tecting those around him. He also once served w ith the Jack­ sonville North Carolina Fire De­ partm ent and the Corning City Fire Department. Over the years, he held num erous positions w ith in the A tlanta Hatch Hose Fire Department before being named Chief three years ago. He led w ith integrity, com m it­ ment, and an unwavering sense of duty. Though Nick devoted his life to pub lic service, his greatest pride and deepest love were re­ served fo r his three boys. His w orld revolved around Evan, Brayden, and Kyle, w hom he loved more than life itself. He cherished w orking alongside them in his w ood shop creating crafts and shared his love fo r

PROVIDED

hunting w ith his Boys. Nick was often found outside playing fo o t­ ball w ith his boys. And Nick never missed a chance to cheer or com plain about his favorite fo otba ll team, the C incinnati Bengals. Nick was predeceased by his siste r Renee Snyder, his step­ brother Gary Clark Jr and his best friend, Kyle Ward as well as his grandparents. Nick literally married the girl next door, Meaghann (Anger) Snyder on October 26, 2013,

w ho survives him. He is survived also by his sons, Evan, Brayden, and Kyle; his parents, Ronald Snyder and Judy (Gary) Clark; his parentsin-law, Robby and Kim berly Anger; his siblings, Matt Snyder, Jennifer Webster, Robin Samper, and his sister-in-law Emily Anger; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended fam ily mem­ bers, friends, fellow volunteers, and colleagues. Nick w ill also be missed by his beloved pets.

ROD MCCORMICK

Vehicle Rollover on Route 32 in Newburgh NEWBURGH, NY — C ronom er Valley Fire D epartm ent re­ sponded to a vehicle rollover at 583 State Route 32 on March 16th. Town of Newburgh Police and EMS were on scene. The driver was out of the vehicle before firefig hte rs arrived. Firefighters checked fo r hazards and made the vehicle safe. Town of Newburgh EMS transported the driver to Montefiore St. Luke’s Hospital. Route 32 was reduced to one lane of tra f­ fic during the incident, and the Orange County S heriff’s Office assisted at the scene. Town of Newburgh Police are investi­ gating the cause of the crash. PROVIDED

May, 2026

PAGE 13

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

Physical Fitness, TOAC and CPAT IN THE / f s v FIRE % ZONE

,

JOSEPH CEA

It goes w itho ut saying that fire ­ fig h te rs m ust be physically fit in order to do the job. The ty p ­ ical w eight of tu rn ou t gear w ith a c y lin d e r is 30 pounds. Now add in any hand to o ls that fire ­ fig hte rs carry not to m ention a charged hose line, ladders etc.... and it’s easy to see w hy being in shape in param ount. Of course, being in shape is relative to each fire fig h te r and involves A LOT of fa cto rs. Ad­ equate exercise, proper n u tri­ tio n and even proper m anagem ent of health issues such as diabetes are all part of keeping yo u rs e lf ready to do the jo b when called upon. Because being p h ysica lly pre­ pared is so varied from fire ­ fig h te r to fire fig h te r and from firehouse to fireh ou se instead of d is c u s s in g how to stay in shape th is article w ill fo cu s on train in g benchm arks. The firs t is the Task O riented A ir C on­ s u m p tio n (TOAC). For both volunteers and career fire fig h t­ ers th is is one of the firs t ya rd ­ s tic k s to measure w he th er or not som eone w ill be a su c­ ce ssful fire fig h te r. T his is so lely due to the fact that can­ didates w ill be w earing a selfcontained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and “ on a ir” w hich fo r some can be a daunting expe­ rience. TOAC u su a lly sta rts out by having prospective fire fig h te rs participate in a “ breathe dow n” w hich is sim p ly w earing an SCBA and breathing n orm a lly w hile sim p ly w a lkin g in a low stress e nvironm ent. T his is done to get fire fig h te rs used to breathing w ith an SCBA and attached reg ula tor but also to m easure how long it takes a fire fig h te r to use all the air w ithin a c ylin d e r to gauge and p o s s ib ly change how to co r­ re ctly breathe th ro u g h an SCBA. On the day of the TOAC test every fire fig h te r w ill firs t meet w ith an EMT to have th e ir vitals checked. Because there is a real health and physical in ju ry ris k any vita l sign outside the

acceptable range w ill result in not taking the exam - PERIOD! Each fire fig h te r w ill also meet to have th e ir v ita ls checked a fte r co m p le tio n of the eight stages. Here are the TOAC stages in order: Hose C arry - ca rrying a 50 ft long h ig h-rise pack (2.5in) up three flig h ts of stairs. Hose stretch/p ull - p ulling a 50 ft hose line (1.75in) 75ft and p u llin g a same size hose line 50 ft around a stationary object Tool Lift/C arry - taking to ols off a shelf and w alking them back and fo rth 75 ft and putting them back on a shelf Ladder Raise - R aising a lad­ der using the halyard in a hand over hand fashion F orcible E n try - U sing a sledgeham m er s trik in g a tire ten tim es Search - E nter a maze and using a left- o r right-handed search navigate 65 ft in the dark w ith obstacles Rescue - Drag a 1651b m an­ nequin 75ft C eiling Breach/Pull - Push up 60lbs (3x) and pull down 30lbs (5x) using a pike pole - 2 sets Each fire fig h te r has a shadow that walks along to ensure th e ir safety, m o n ito r th e ir a ir and provide p ositive encourage­ ment along the way. Here is the lin k to the Erie C ounty (NY) T O A C : htt ps y/www.yo ut u be.com/watc h?v=IRo2SnrR9cg T his lin k is fo r the w orksheet used when ta king the exam: https y/dr ive.google.com /drive/ u/0/folders/1 Wi Egrgl3h05CO5l EUFzYy9xjHs4nUzJ The second physical fitn ess lit­ mus test is generally reserved fo r those fire fig h te rs that have chosen to make the fire service th e ir career. The C andidate P hysical A b ility Test (CPAT) ce rta in ly lives up to its name. Like TOAC the ta sks fo r each are laid out in the o rd er a fire ­ fig h te r can expect to have to com plete them from a rrival tim e on the fire g ro u n d . The CPAT also has eight stages but

th ey are not 100% identical. Here are the CPAT stages in order: S tair C lim b -W ith an additional 25lbs (75lbs to ta l) candidates have to w a lk a s ta ir m ill. The firs t 20 seconds are a w arm up at 50 s ta irs/m in at w h ich tim e candidates can hold the handrail. Once the threem inute clim b sta rts the rate is increased to 60 stairs/m in and the handrail cannot be used. Hose Pull - P u lling a 1.75 in hose line 200ft. n avigating around a barrel. T his is the ONLY stage where a candidate can run.

gloves and long pants w ith a 501b w eig ht vest sim ulating the w eight of tu rn o u t gear. There are also s im ila ritie s be­ tween the tw o not o nly in the events but in the a d m in is tra ­ tio n of the test. For starters the fire fig h te r/c a n d id a te w ill have an EMT take th e ir v ita ls taken before and a fte r the test, w ill also have an escort to m on ito r any potential health concerns, ensure the param eters of the test are adhered to and also to

provide ment.

p o sitive

encourage­

The best advice fo r TOAC is s im p ly RELAX and breathe! You w ill do great if you stay calm w ith the SCBA attached. As fa r as the CPAT having failed and then passed the d if­ ference was tra in in g on a sta ir m ill w ith w e ig h ts. The rest of CPAT is easy if you have yo u r “ sea le g s ” a fte r the s ta ir m ill. Good Luck and stay safe!

MEMORIAL BOARI1 If your department has photos you would like to see in our “Memorial Board” feature please up­ load them on our website www.lRBN.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com

Tool Lift/C arry - taking to ols off a shelf and w alking them back and forth 75 ft and putting them back on a shelf Ladder Raise - R aising a 24ft ladder using the halyard in a hand over hand fashion F orcible E n try Using a sledgeham m er to h it a device u ntil a buzzer/light is set off Search - Enter a dark maze w ith obstacles Rescue - Drag a 1651b man­ nequin 35ft. C eiling B reach/P ull - Push up 60lbs (3x) and pull dow n 30lbs (5x) using a pike pole - 4 sets An im portant note - The stair clim b lasts three m inutes and tw enty seconds w hile all other stages are one m inute in dura­ tion. Running is not permitted w ith the exception of the hose pull event. There are 35 ft be­ tween each event. See th is lin k fo r a more detailed video de­ scription: https://www.youtube.com/watch 7v=wh3EoE1yJnQ W hile the TOAC em phasizes co m p le tin g fire fig h te r ta sks w hile breathing th ro u g h an SCBA, the CPAT sim p ly under­ scores a fire fig h te r’s p hysical a b ility to com plete com m on fire fig h te r tasks. T his is d is tin ­ guished in that the TOAC is not tim ed w hereas the CPAT is a s tric t 10 m in and 20 seconds. A n othe r differen ce is w ith TOAC you are w earing fu ll tu rn o u t gear w hile in CPAT the required PPE is a helm et,

COURTESY OF DRESDEN VOL FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Dresden Volunteer Fire Department announced the death of Past Chief, Life Member, and longstanding EMS Captain Jim Johns, w ho had served the departm ent fo r 64 years. T hroughout his decades of service, Johns was noted fo r his com m itm ent to emergency medical response and leadership in the departm ent. He was instrum ental in expanding the departm ent's firs t respon­ der program and developing many of the EMS techniques that are still used today. Johns was recalled by departm ent members as a com passionate caretaker w ho genuinely cared about each patient, as w ell as a leader w ho cared p ro fou n dly about the com m unity and his fellow firefighters.

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

PAGE 19

May, 2026

HOMER FIRE DEPARTMENT

JEFFREY ARN0LD/@FIREPHOT025

Crews Respond to House Fire on Saratoga Avenue in Rochester ROCHESTER, NY- Around 8:10 p.m., on Saturday, March 14th, Rochester firefighters responded to a house fire at 202 Saratoga Avenue.

FIREFIGHTER PROFILES If your department has photos you would like to see in our “Firefighter Profiles” feature, please upload them on our website, mvw.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com

Arianna M ortensen joined the W estmere Fire D epartm ent in A p ril 2024 as an exterior fire ­ fighter, bringing w ith her a pow­ erful personal connection to the departm ent and its m ission.

HOMER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Rapid Intervention Team Deployed to Solon Fire SOLON, NY - On March 9th, the Homer Fire Department re­ sponded as m utual aid to the McGraw Fire Departm ent's re­ quest fo r a Rapid In te rve ntio n Team (RIT) fo r a reported structure fire at 4252 North Tower Road in Solon. Homer unit 541 responded as the RIT assignm ent, ensuring fire fig h te r safety during suppression operations. In addition, unit 563 assisted w ith dra fting and tanker fillin g operations, as well as fireg ro un d operations. A ll Homer u nits cleared the area and returned to d uty around 2:06 a.m.

In 2020, firefig hte rs from Westmere responded to a structure fire at M ortensen’s ch ild ho od home. Thanks to th e ir efforts, the home was saved, allow ing her and her fa m ily to return a year later. That experience in ­ spired her to jo in the depart­ m ent and give back to the co m m un ity that helped her fam ily during a d iffic u lt time. Since becom ing a member, M ortensen has embraced the o p p ortu nity to train, serve, and build stron g co nnections w ith in the departm ent. She says som e of her fa vo rite m o­ m ents have been the tim es when m embers com e together fo r events and training, strengthening the sense of team w ork and camaraderie. Mortensen says she is grateful fo r the friendships and sense of fam ily she has found w ithin the Westmere Fire Department and looks forw ard to continuing her journey in the fire service w hile helping o thers in th e ir tim e of need.

WESTMERE FIRE DEPARTMENT

PAGE 20

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

A rgyle Firehouse Damaged A fte r Truck C o llisio n on S tate Route 40

8

|

____________ ^ ________ I____________ THIELLS FIRE DEPARTMENT

Thiells Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Vehicle Engine Fire THIELLS, NY - On February 16th at 9:05 A.M., the Thiells Fire Department responded to a report of a sm oking vehicle. Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed a small fire in the engine com partm ent. The fire was q uickly brought under control and extinguished shortly thereafter.

ARGYLE, NY - On February 23rd at 9:13 a.m., the J.A. Barkley Hose Company No. 1 was dispatched to a motor vehicle crash involving a truck that col­ lided with the department's fire­ house on State Route 40. Responding workers discov­ ered that a box de­ livery vehicle had hit the bucket of a town payloader clearing snow in front of the high­ way building, then a power pole, be­ fore slamming into the front of the fire­ house. The truck occupants had minor injuries, while the payloader operator was not hurt. The Fort Edward Fire Depart­ ment was first dispatched but then canceled. Firefighters closed Route 40 between County Route 47 and McEachron Hill Road as they waited for National Grid to secure the damaged electrical lines. The Argyle Emergency Squad, Washington County Sher­ iff's Office, Washington County Department of Public Safety, and TowAway LLC all gave assis­ tance. The incident caused severe damage to the firehouse, render­ ing one bay door inoperable, but officials deemed that the building

J.A.BARKLEY HOSE C0.N0.1 INC. (ARGYLE FIRE/RESCUE)

could remain operational. Around 1:03 P.M., fire department units returned to service once utility

crews had secured the site. -1R N NEWS TEAM

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES If you have photos you would like to see in our “Emergency Medical Services” feature, please upload them on our website w w w .lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .

BOB MCCOBMICK

Driver Hospitalized Following Hit-and-Run MVA in Newburgh NEWBURGH, NY - Cronomer Valley FD responded to a hitand-run MVA on March 20th at 6:47 P.M. on State Route 300. Town of Newburgh Police and EMS were on scene. One driver was transported to Montefiore St. Luke’s Hospital by Town of Newburgh EMS. Firefighters spread Speedy Dry and discon­ nected the vehicle’s battery. State Route 300 was closed to eastbound traffic at Lakeside Road. Town of Newburgh Police are investigating the cause and searching for the other vehi­ cle involved.

COURTESY OF CAMBRIDGE VALLEY RESCUE SQUAD, INC.

In February, the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad, Inc. held a training session on supraglottic airway use in preparation for deploying iGel airway devices for both BLS and ALS clinicians. Medical Director Dr. John Broderick led the class, which included 22 EMS providers from the Easton-Greenwich Res­ cue Squad, Salem Rescue Squad, and Hoosick Regional EMS. The seminar covered airway manage­ ment strategies and the use of supraglottic devices to assist caregivers in prom ptly securing a patient's airway during medical emergencies. Officials stated that, while continuous education is re­ quired fo r EMS certification, all participants came to the nighttime training on their own time to im­ prove patient care skills and regional cooperation.

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

PAGE 21

JEFFREY ARN0LD/@FIREPHDT025

GOSHEN FIRE DEPARTMENT

Goshen Firefighters B attle Transfer Station Fire

JEFFREY ARN0LD/@FIREPH0T025

Apartment Building Fire Contained in Clyde CLYDE, NY - On Sunday, March 29th at 10:24 a.m., Clyde, Savannah, Rose and Lyons (RIT) responded to a structure fire at 161 Glasgow Street in the village of Clyde. Units ar­ rived on location and found heavy fire co n d itio n s on the second flo o r in the rear of a tw o -sto ry b rick apartm ent building. All occupants were able to escape and no injuries were reported. O fficials from the Wayne C ounty O ffice of Emergency Management believe the blaze to have been of accidental origin.

GOSHEN, NY - At approxi­ mately 9:30 a.m. on February 5th, the Goshen Fire Department was dispatched to the Orange County Transfer Station on Training Center Lane for a reported building fire. Orange County Coordinator 36-1 arrived and re­ ported an active fire inside the structure involving heavy machinery. Upon the arrival of Car 2, a second alarm was transmitted, bringing additional mutual aid departments to the scene and for standby cov­ erage. Firefighters operated multiple handlines from Goshen apparatus while Mechanicstown FD Tower Ladder 121 placed an elevated master stream into service. Crews worked for about an hour to bring the fire under control while heavy equipment was used to assist with overhaul operations. One civilian was treated for smoke inhalation and one firefighter sustained minor injuries. Numerous mutual aid depart­ ments, EMS agencies, law en­ forcement units, and Orange County resources assisted with manpower and equipment during the incident. - 1RN NEWS TEAM GOSHEN FIRE DEPARTMENT

PAGE 22

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

I BONDLEGAL ^

w

^

INJURY LAWYERS

E x p o s e d t o F ir e f ig h t e r F o a m

on the job & developed any of the following cancers / side effects?

Bladder Cancer Kidney Cancer Testicular Cancer Prostate Cancer Pancreatic Cancer Leukemia Lymphoma Live Cancer Neuroendocrine Tumors Liver Cancer Breast Cancer

Contact B o n d L e g a l today for justice, and you may be entitled to compensation.

866 927-1261 -

Ovarian Cancer Colon / Rectal Cancer OtherTumors / Cancers

intake@ bondlegalgroup.com

This is attorney advertising. Bond Legal is organized as an LLC in Illinois and as a Professional Corporation in California. Bond Legal LLC lawyers are licensed in AL, GA, IL, NC, NY, and SC. Bond Legal PC lawyers are licensed in CA, DC, FL, MN, ND,TX and WA. Candice Bond is licensed in CA, IL,TX & WA only and can be contacted at 17500 Red Hill Ave. #100 Irvine, CA 92614,949-988-7100, cmbond@bondlegalgroup.com. Legal services are limited to the foregoing states. "Pay $0 Unless We Win For You," refers only to contingent fees charged by the attorney. Such fees are not permitted in all types of cases. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client. Some cases may be co-counseled with other lawyers. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

WE'RE LOADING UP THE BOX! ON THE BOOK SHELF by John Malecky

WE’RE LOADING UP THE BOX: A Pictorial Collection of Firefighting In New York City By Matt Daly Available from: FSP Books 433 Main Street, Suite 2A Hudson, MAO 1749 1-800-522-8528 Email: support@fire-policeems.com www.fire-police-ems.com Price: $42.50 This is a hard cover coffee table book measuring 9 inches by 12 inches. It has 208 pages. The author is a fire photographer with

a prestigious background which started off in 1977. In 1981, he was named the Official Photogra­ pher for the FDNY Emerald Soci­ ety. I will let you read the rest of his accomplishments. The book is loaded with both black and white, as well as color photos mostly of fire scenes. The contents consist of a Dedication, Forward, Acknowl­ edgements, a Special Thanks, About the Photographer, NYC Fire Department Terminology and photos from 1978 through 2010 followed by an index. The title of the book is a dispatcher’s term given to the responding assign­ ment based on the number of phone calls and pull boxes that were activated about the address of the incident indicating a “work­ ing fire.” The Forward was written by Vince Dunne, retired deputy chief and author of educational textbooks. Not much more can be said about this excellent book that should be of interest of anyone who follows the FDNY and pho­ tographs at fire scenes.

May, 2026

PAGE 23

APPARATUS IN ACTION If you have photos you would like to see in our Apparatus in Action feature please upload them on our website www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.

BINGHAMTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Binghamton Fire Department responded to a working structure fire near 112 South Washington Street on March 3rd. Firefighters arrived and began suppression efforts to put the fire under control.

STATE LINE FIRE & SAFETY, INC.

A Complete Line of Fire & Safety Equipment! Authorized sales and service Hurst Dealership for all of New Jersey Authorized sales and service Hurst Dealership for the following New York Counties: Rockland, Orange, Ulster, Westchester, Putnam, Sullivan and Dutchess

www.statelinefireandsafety.com • info@ statelinefireandsafety.com 50 Park Avenue, P.0. Box 278 • Park Ridge, NJ 07656 • Phone: 201.391.3290 • Fax: 201.391.6487

Award Winning Sales & Service • Family Owned Since 1970 NJDCA# POO152 and D.O.T. Certified Hydro-Static Test Center

PAGE 24

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

DRIIIS/TRAINING To see your D rills in the new spaper upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com

In February, the Fort Ann Volunteer Fire Company held a regional hands-on train in g session w ith 60 firem en from Warren and W ashington counties. The training was directed by Firefighter Training LLC and its instru ctors. F ire figh te rs w ent th ro u g h a series o f p ractical e volutio ns, inclu ding size-up, fo rcib le entrance, saw operations, horizontal and vertical ventilation, therm al imaging camera oper­ ations, and large-area search procedures. Members of the Fort Edward Fire Department, Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Company, K ingsbury Volunteer Hose Company, Greenwich Fire Department, Hudson Falls Volunteer Fire Department, G ranville Engine & Hose Com pany No. 1, Hebron Volunteer Fire Company, West Fort Ann Volunteer Fire & Rescue, and West Glens Falls Volunteer Fire Company to ok part. The Fort Ann Rescue Squad provided standby coverage. Organizers also thanked the Town of Fort Ann and Rozell Industries, Inc. fo r allow ing use of the building fo r the training exercise.

COURTESY OF BOLIVAR FIRE DEPARTMENT

COURTESY OF BOLIVAR FIRE DEPARTMENT

On March 11th, members of the Bolivar Fire Department conducted a training practice focusing on vehicle extrication tactics. Firefight­ ers, EMS professionals, and yo un ge r m em bers to o k part in the hands-on practice, w hich involved learning procedures fo r safely rem oving in d ivid u a ls from ve hicles after m ajor w recks. Crews practiced several scenarios aimed to emphasize collaboration and the proper use of rescue gear. COURTESY OF FORT ANN VOL. FIRE COMPANY

PAGE 25

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

Crews Battle Lisbon Structure Fire in Subzero Temperatures LISBON, NY - The Lisbon Fire Department was dispatched around 6:15 a.m. on March 3rd to a suspected chim­ ney fire on State Highway 68. Within minutes, the incident esca­ lated to a working structure fire. F irefighters faced difficult con­ ditions, as subzero temperatures and limited daytime manpower im­ peded suppression and water de­ livery attempts. Heuvelton, Ogdensburg, Rensselaer Falls, Morristown, and Canton Fire De­ partments all responded as mu­ tual aid. The Waddington and Madrid fire departments provided additional backup coverage. Support agencies included New York State Police for traffic control and the New York State Department of Transportation, which provided a salt truck to as­ sist with roadway conditions. - 1RN NEWS TEAM

LISBON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

LISBON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

ENTHUSIASTS: *

Don t m m £rangle incident! ^

Stay informed witli Up-to-the-Minute news alerts from 1RWN.

FITCHBURG, MA (WORCESTER) *1ST ALARM* 461 WIL­ LIAMS RD. STOVE TOP FIRE THAT HAS EXTENDED TO A WALL IN A 1.5 STY WFM DWG. MA346*MA72 07/10/16 06:41 PM CORTEZ, FL (MANATEE) *PED STRUCK* 10203 CORTEZ RD W. AUTO VS PED IN FROM OF WMFR STA 2 - CMD ADV TRAUMA ALERT. FL2 07/10/16 08:04 PM BROOKLYN, NY (NYC) *SHOOTING* CLASSON AV X LEFFERTS PL. ACTIVE CRIME SCN FOR 1 SHOT IN SERIOUS CONDNY108 07/10/16 01:56 AM

e i * i

■

• Fire * Police •

C jr p

DOW NLOAD OUR

•

P o l i c e

“

• Rescue

APR FOR FREE A T

Bsro"

THE IW N E S STORE

C u s to m iz e d A le r ts b y

* Traffic/Transit • w e a th e r

m a il o r T e x t M e s s a g e

• M ajor News

Your 1 RWN Individual Account includes:

Full control of W hat, When and How you get alerts Email technical support • Daily Digest news

R esponder W ir e le s s n ew s

S u b scrib e T od ay a t 1 R W N .co m

PAGE 26

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

MEMORIAL BOARD If your departm ent has photos you would like to see in our “M emorial Board” feature please up­ load them on our w ebsite w w w .lRBN .com or email them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderNews.com

Garage Fire in Central Square Draws Multi-Department Response CENTRAL SQUARE, NY When a garage fire was reported in the Pennellville Volunteer Fire Department's district on Biddlecum Road, March 3rd, firefight­ ers from the Caughdenoy Volunteer Fire De­ partment automati­ cally responded as mutual aid. When sheriff's deputies arrived, they initially no­ ticed smoke pour­ ing from a three-car garage attached to the house, endan­ gering it. Shortly after being dispatched. Pumper 622 arrived and discovered that there was a lot of smoke and a fire in the garage. A second alarm was requested to bring more firefighters and equipment to the scene. Crews collaborated with Palermo Volun­ teer Fire Department and Phoenix Enterprise Fire Company No. 1 to pull multiple handlines and con­ tain the fire. Water supply was supported by tanker operations. Before going back to work, fire­ fighters worked for almost four hours. - 1RN NEWS TEAM CAUGHDENOY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

HONORS & PROMOTIONS COURTESY OF ELMSFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT

If you have photos you would like to see in our “Honors & Promotions” feature, please upload them on our website, w ww.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderNews.com .

Elmsford, NY — February 22nd — The Elmsford Fire Department has announced the death of form er Chief Ray McPartlan, a long­ standing member w ho served the m unicipality fo r many years. Throughout his career, Chief McPartlan was dedicated to the fire service and com m itted to defending the Elmsford neighborhood, according to departm ent members. His leadership and service made an indelible m ark on the departm ent and the area he served.

Additional news from around New York can be found on our website a t www.1rbn.com

PROVIDED

On January 31,2026, the Hatch Hose Fire Company of Atlanta, NY, held their annual banquet. Peggy Sue Kern received a 40 year pin and a state certificate from Assemblywoman Andrea Bailey. Peggy has served 32 years as company secretary and 8 years as fire com m issioner secretary. (L to R): Deputy Chief Mark Fisher, 2nd Asst. Chief Barry Fairbrother Jr., 1st Asst. Chief James Scarborough, the late Fire Chief Nick Snyder, Peggy Sue Kern, and Assemblywoman Andrea Bailey.

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

PAGE 27

Sinclairville Vol. Fire Company Responds to Serious Two-Car Crash on Route 60 SINCLAIRVILLE, NY - On the evening of February 1st, the Sinclairville Volunteer Fire Com­ pany responded to a serious twovehicle crash on Route 60 near Cassadaga Valley Central School. Due to the scale of the inci­ dent, multiple agencies responded and worked together to manage the scene and provide patient care. Fire departments from Gerry, Cas­ sadaga, and Ellington assisted Sinclairville crews during the re­ sponse. Medical support was provided by Chautauqua County EMS units M71, M74, M70, and EMS4, along with STAT MedEvac. Law enforcement and scene safety were handled by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Fire Police units, and the New York State De­ partment of Transportation.

in file #030926118

a £» Road closures were estab­ lished at Sinclair Drive, Maple Avenue, and surrounding areas to allow crews to safely operate and manage the incident. Officials ex­ pressed appreciation to all mutual aid partners for their professional­ ism and coordinated efforts throughout the evening. The de­ partment also thanked the com­ munity for their patience during the response and roadway closure. The department noted that its thoughts remain with the individ­ uals and families affected by the incident and asked the community to keep them in their prayers while respecting their privacy. - 1RN NEWS TEAM

WORKING FACES COURTESY OF UHADILLA FIRE DEPARTMEHT.

If you have photos you would like to see in our “Working Faces” feature, please upload them on our website, w ww .lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@ lstResponderNews.com

Firefighters Respond to Evening Structure Fire in Unadilla UNADILLA, NY - At ap­ proximately 5:21 p.m. on March 5th, the Unadilla Fire Department responded to a re­ ported structure fire in the Village of Unadilla. The first incom­ ing unit was on scene within five minutes of dis­ patch, with a crew of six firefighters. Crews promptly launched an intensive fire assault, bringing the situation under con­ trol and limiting further damage to the structure. The Wells Bridge Fire De­ partment was initially placed on standby, but subsequently re­ sponded to provide manpower and support. The Sidney Fire De­ partment, City of Oneonta Fire Department, and Franklin Fire Department all supplied addi­ tional mutual aid assistance. Ot­ sego County Emergency Services, the Otsego County 911 Center, EMS teams, the New York State Police, and the Unadilla Fire Department Auxil­ iary all provided assistance throughout the incident. JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER/SIDEWINDER PHOTOGRAPHY

West Sand Lake Fire Chief Lee Crosier running command at the 43 mall fire.

- 1RN NEWS TEAM UHADILLA FIRE DEPARTMEHT

PAGE 28

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

VEHICLE NEWS A brand-new 104-foot Rosenbauer Cobra platform w as put into service by the Lake George Volunteer Fire Department. The departm ent's capacity to manage elevated operations, rescues, and structural fire s in the Village of Lake George and neighboring Warren C ounty m utual-aid regions is stren gth ­ ened by the airborne apparatus. The tru c k has a Cobra rear-m ount platform , a R osenbauer EXT body, and a Rosenbauer COMMANDERTM chassis. It has a 500-gallon w ater ta nk and a 2,000-gallon-per-m inute W aterous CSUC20 pum p. For elevated m aster stream operations and ladder access, the aerial equipm ent has a 104-foot vertical reach. H ot-dip galvanization offe rs co rro sio n protection fo r long-term endurance, and the aerial p o rtio n s m atch the c o lo r schem e o f the device.

HANNAWA FALLS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT.

'Y.'.y.v.y

LAKE GEORGE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT.

HANNAWA FALLS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT.

Dog and Owner Rescued After C liff Fall in Hannawa Falls HANNAWA FALLS, NY - Hannawa Fire Department w as toned out fo r a rescue on Sandstone Trail at 10:43 a.m. on March 8th. R esponding alongside Hannawa were Pierrepont Fire, Car 10, and C olton Rescue. Upon arrivin g on the scene, the chief requested additional assistance from Potsdam Fire and asked Car 10 to have the P arish ville High A ngle Rescue Team respond as w ell. The situ atio n involved a dog that had s lipp ed o ff a c liff and landed on the riverbank below. The d o g ’s ow ner attem pted to clim b dow n the c liff to reach the animal, but was unable to clim b back out afterw ard, leaving both stranded. Rescue crew s w orked together to safely bring both th e ow ner and the dog to safety. The ow ner w as re­ ported to be unharm ed, w hile the dog suffered a possible broken leg and was transported fo r treatm ent. O fficials ex­ pressed th e ir appreciation to all the departm ents involved in the coordinated rescue effort. LAKE GEORGE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT.

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

PAGE 29

MEMORIAL BOARD If your departm ent has photos you would like to see in our “Memorial Board” feature please up­ load them on our w ebsite w w w .lRBN .com or email them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderNews.com

RALLSTON LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Crews Respond to Working Structure Fire in Ballston, Prevent Spread to Garage

MONTGOMERY FIRE DEPARTMENT

February 27, 2026 — The M ontgom ery Fire Department an­ nounced w ith deep so rrow the passing of Robin Kleister Reynolds, a dedicated member and longtim e su pp orte r of the fire service comm unity. Reynolds held num erous leadership roles throughout her years of service, including Past Captain of the Montgomery Fire Police, Past President of the M ontgom ery Fire Departm ent and Fleet Hook and Ladder, and she was currently serving as Treasurer of the department. In addition to her w ork w ithin Montgomery, Reynolds was an ac­ tive member of the Orange County and Hudson Valley fire serv­ ice a ssociations. Her dedication and c o n trib u tio n s to the fire service were recognized in 2016 when she received the Orange County Woman of Achievement Award. Reynolds devoted countless years to supporting firefighters and the department, leaving a lasting impact through her leadership, com m itm ent, and steady presence. Members of the M ontgom ery Fire Departm ent extended th e ir heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and fe llo w fire fig h t­ ers during th is d iffic u lt time.

Read more features on our website a twww.1rbn.com

BALLSTON, NY - The Ball­ ston Lake Fire Department re­ sponded to a structure fire on Westside Drive after the Saratoga County Sheriffs Office Commu­ nications Division received a re­ port of flames coming from a residence at 6:17 p.m. on March 6th. At 6:24 p.m.. Chief Mudge of the Burnt Hills Fire Department arrived and confirmed a working fire, triggering a second alarm and bringing addi­ tional personnel to the area. Ballston Lake's ETA 12-2, the department's newest apparatus equipped with a 1,800-gallon water tank, arrived at 6:32 p.m., and promptly deployed hose lines, allowing personnel to com­ mence suppression operations until a hydrant supply could be secured. Firefighters launched an intensive external attack and were able to contain the fire before it spread to the adjoining garage. Mutual help was provided at the location by the Round Lake Fire Department, Ballston Spa Fire Department, Jonesville Vol­ unteer Fire Department, and Rexford Fire Department. The East Glenville Volunteer Fire Department, Charlton Volun­ teer Fire Department, Harmony Corners Fire Department, Clifton Park Volunteer Fire Department, and Vischer Ferry Volunteer Fire Company all supplied coverage for the surrounding districts. The Saratoga County Office of Emergency Management Fire

RALLSTON LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Coordinators and Fire Investiga­ tors also assisted with the inci­ dent, as did National Grid for gas and electric disconnection, the American Red Cross for dis­ placed residents, the Town of Ballston, D.E. Flynn Excavating

and Trucking for teardown oper­ ations, and the Ballston Lake Emergency Squad for EMS standby. - 1RN NEWS TEAM

PAGE 30

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

IN SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our “In Service” feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.

FIRE DISTRICT

AURO RA

ambulance:

FIRE DEPT.

BALDWIN VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

AURORA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Aurora Volunteer Fire Department put a new ambulance into operation on March 7th, marking the end of a community-supported effort to improve EMS response in the region. A local fundraiser and memorial fund raised approximately $120,000, thanks to the efforts of comm unity members. The Aurora-Ledyard Fire District's equipment fund financed the remainder of the costs. Residents, the Board of Fire Commissioners, and comm unity supporters were praised by department officials for their assistance in ensuring that firefighters and EMTs have the necessary equipment to serve the district.

BALDWIN VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

Baldwin Firefighters Handle Working Structure Fire w ith Mutual Aid LOWMAN, NY - On February 27th, the Baldwin Volunteer Fire Company was called to a reported potential structure fire. Crews arrived and began suppressing efforts. The Breesport Fire Department, Chemung Fire Department, Elmira Heights Fire Department, Erin Volunteer Fire Department, Southport Fire Department, and East Hill Volunteer Fire Department all responded as mutual aid. Baldwin Code Enforcement and Erway Ambulance also responded to support operations.

FREDONIA FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Fredonia Fire Department announced that Engine 16 has been form ally activated to protect the Fredoniaand Pomfret response areas. The new apparatus replaces Engine 12, a 33-year-old pumper, and was built to satisfy the department's operational requirements. Engine 16 is equipped w ith a Rosenbauer COMMANDER chassis, a Rosenbauer EXT body, a Rosenbauer Logic Control System, a Rosenbauer N55 pump with a flow rate of 1,500-gallons-per-minute, and a 1,000-gallon tank. The en­ gine also has low hose beds and specialized storage layouts to improve firefighter accessibility and efficiency during operations. Department officials thanked Mayor Ferguson and the Village Board of Trustees for supporting the purchase. Special recognition was also given to Empire Emergency Ap­ paratus Inc. and David Mangus for their assistance throughout the project.

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

PAGE 31

FULLER ROAD VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Crews Ventilate Building After Collapse and Gas Leak in Colonie COLONIE, NY - On February 24th, the Fuller Road Volunteer Fire Department responded with mutual aid partners to a re­ ported partial ceiling collapse that caused a natural gas leak. Firefighters arrived to find a confirmed ceiling collapse and high volumes of natural gas inside the facility. Crews secured the location while working w ith National Grid to turn off util­ ities and ventilate the structure to prevent a fire or explosion. The follow ing agencies assisted: West Albany Fire Depart­ ment, Colonie Fire Company, Colonie EMS Department, Colonie Police Department, and Town of Colonie Emergency Services. Once the building was ventilated and utilities se­ cured, all fire units returned to service and the scene was turned over to town authorities.

ROR MCCORMICK

Man Jumps from Newburgh-Beacon Bridge; M ulti-A gency Response Follow s NEWBURGH, NY - On the morning of March 15th at approx­ imately 11:22 a.m., the Newburgh and Middlehope Fire Departments were dispatched for a report of a male subject on the NewburghBeacon Bridge acting suspi­ ciously. Bridge authorities reported that the subject jumped into the Hudson River from the south span. Town of Newburgh Police, New York State Police, City of Newburgh Police, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded

td file #031926136

as> I » to the Pier Loun Condominiums and set up a command post. Ma­ rine units from New Hamburg, Middle Hope, and Newburgh searched for the victim, while State Police Aviation searched the area from above. The Sheriff’s Office deployed a drone, and the subject was lo­ cated near the west shore. The New York State Police Underwa­

ter Recovery Team was notified, and the Monroe Fire Department Dive Team responded to the scene. The subject was brought to shore and transferred to the Or­ ange County Medical Examiner’s Office. Orange County Deputy Fire Coordinator 36-13 and the Commissioner of Fire Services 36-1 were on scene. The investigation is being conducted by the New York State Police. - BOB MCCORMICK

NIVERVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Patient A irlifted to Albany Medical Center After Crash NIVERVILLE, NY - On March 2nd around 2:00 P.M., the N iverville Fire Department responded to a MVA on Parker Hall Road that involved a car and a sm all bike. Firefighters arrived and closed the road w hile EMS evaluated the pa­ tient. Follow ing an evaluation, responders concluded that air medical transfer was required. N iverville firefig hte rs set up a landing zone at N iverville Station 1 fo r the LifeNet of New York helicopter, designated as LifeNet 7-1. The patient was a irlifted to Albany Medical Center to receive additional care. Units stayed on the scene until the chopper left and the route was reopened.

ROR MCCORMICK

PAGE 32

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

Firefighters Rescue Family from Liberty Home Fire on Denman Road LIBERTY, NY - A suspected building fire at a home on Den­ man Road prompted Liberty Fire Department firefighters to re­ spond on February 9th. 911 dispatchers reported that a resi­ dent was still inside the house as units were responding. Yo u n g s v i l l e First Assistant Chief Steve Schroeder and Lib­ erty firefighter Shi­ mon Abisch assisted in removing a mother and her children via a second-floor front window prior to the arrival of the first apparatus. Every resi­ dent was safely evacuated. The Monticello Fire Depart­ ment, Rock Hill Fire Department, Hurley ville Fire Department, Woodridge Fire Department, Fallsburg Fire Department, and other nearby agencies were among the mutual aid depart­ ments from Sullivan County that responded with equipment and personnel. Catskill Hatzalah and Empress EMS supplied EMS standby. - 1RN NEWS TEAM

LIBERTY FIRE DEPARTMENT

One V ehicle Rolls Into Creek During Highway C ollision in Hinsdale HINSDALE, NY - On March 10th at 4:59 p.m., the Hinsdale Volunteer Fire Department re­ sponded to Interstate 81 north­ bound for a reported three-car MVA. Firelighters ar­ rived to find three cars sprawled across the northbound lanes between Inter­ state 90 and the Mattydale exit, one of which had rolled into a creek beneath the bridge. A City of Syracuse deputy chief was already on the scene and helped with the initial scene sizeup before Hinsdale Car 1 arrived and took command. After confirming conditions with Onondaga Fire Control, the chief requested an additional res­ cue unit from the Mattydale Fire Department. Hinsdale Rescue 5 ar­ rived and began evaluating patients and addressing hazards with assis­ tance from Hinsdale Engine 8, Mattydale Squad 4, three NAVAC ambulances, and New York State Police.

WNSOM-I

-1RN NEWS TEAM HINSDALE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

PAGE 33

DRIIIS/TRAINING To see your D rills in the new spaper upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com o r em ail them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com

In February, the South Queensbury Fire Department organized a train in g exercise that brought to ­ gether firefig hte rs and partner responders. During the evening session, crew s w orked side by side, concentrating on collaboration, com m unication, and scene safety during accidents in the Town of Queensbury. These kinds o f tra in in g exercises keep firem en and EMS w orkers ready fo r medical emergencies, structural fires, and other situ atio ns requiring m ultiple agencies. To im prove m utualaid operations and make sure personnel can collaborate su ccessfully on emergency scenes, depart­ m ents around Warren C ounty frequently hold jo in t drills. C oordination, equipm ent fam iliarity, and response efficiency are all enhanced by train in g w ith partner agencies, according to officials.

COURTESY OF FORT ANN VOL. FIRE COMPANY

COURTESY OF SOUTH QUEENSBURY FIRE DEPARTMENT

COURTESY OF FORT ANN VOL. FIRE COMPANY

COURTESY OF SOUTH QUEENSBURY FIRE DEPARTMENT

On February 25th, m embers of the Fort Ann Volunteer Fire Com­ pany and the Kingsbury Volunteer Hose Company trained together on vehicle and structural stabilizing equipm ent. The program co v­ ered in-service tra in in g fo r Fort A n n's Res-Q-Jack pin s tru ts as well as K ingsbury's pin-free stru t system s. Under the supervision of Instructor DeRidder, firem en reviewed deploym ent tactics, sta­ b ilizatio n principles, load considerations, and equipm ent safety co nstrain ts. The tra in in g fo cuse d on co rrect setup, operational safety, and understanding the capabilities of stabilization devices used in vehicle crashes and structural disasters.

PAGE 34

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

Albany Firefighters Contain Blaze; Pets Lost in Heavy Smoke Conditions ALBANY, NY - On March 24, 2026, at 3:24 PM., the City of Albany Fire Department was dis­ patched to 13 2nd Street for mul­ tiple reports of a structure fire. En­ gine 2, Truck 2, the Rescue Squad, En­ gine 1, Engine 5, Truck 4, Engine 7, Engine 9, Mohawk Ambulance Serv­ ice, and the Battal­ ion Chief responded to the scene. The first arriving unit imme­ diately transmitted a Signal 30 after encountering heavy fire showing from the first floor, ex­ tending to the second floor of the structure. Engine 2’s crew quickly forced entry through the front door, while firefighters ad­ vanced to the second floor to con­ duct a primary search. Firefighters rapidly attacked the heavy fire venting from the front windows with a handline, then advanced into the first floor to initiate an aggressive interior attack. Within seconds, the bulk of the fire was knocked down. An additional handline was deployed to the second floor due to fire ex­ tension. The entire building was heav­ ily charged with smoke, and crews began opening ceilings on the second floor, where fire had extended from below. A ladder was placed to the rear of the structure as firefighters checked for further extension. Crews also vented the front windows, send­ ing glass onto the sidewalk below. As operations continued on the second floor, crews located additional fire that had extended into an apartment. Firefighters opened walls and ceilings to ex­ pose hidden fire, which was then extinguished using a handline. Extensive overhaul operations were conducted on both the first and second floors, including pulling apart the windowsill areas to ensure all fire was extin­ guished. Firefighters on the second floor successfully contained all remaining hidden fire that had ex­ tended from the first floor. Unfor­ tunately, due to heavy smoke conditions prior to firefighters’ arrival, dogs located on the third floor perished. Firefighters remained on scene for an extended period, and the fire was brought under control in approximately 20 minutes. No other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. - JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER

JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER/SIDEWINDER PHOTOGRAPHY

JEFFREY BELSCHWINDER/SIDEWINDER PHOTOGRAPHY

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

Join NYSAFC at the premier fire industry, rescue, and EMS expo and educational event in the Northeast!

FIR E IN D U STRY , RESCU E,

EMS E X P O

J U N E S'

NYSAFC i 2 o t h Annual Conference & FIRE 2026 Expo

JUNE 10-13, 2026 The Oncenter • Syracuse, NY Exhibits • Hands-On Training Seminars • Networking

FREE One Day Tickets for the expo available from vendors and FREE parking available in The Oncenter Garage!

w w w . nysf i rec h i efs.com

May, 2026

PAGE 35

PAGE 36

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

MEMORIAL BOARD I f y o u r departm ent has photos you w ould like to see in our “M em orial B oard” feature please up­ load them on our w ebsite w w w .lR B N .com or em ail them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com

FRANKFORT FIRE DEPARTMENT

Working House Fire in Frankfort Displaces Seven; One Dog Dies

PROVIDED

Gerald “ Je rry” Vautrin passed away peacefully after a courageous two-year battle w ith pancreatic cancer. His loss is deeply felt by all w ho knew and loved him, those closest to Jerry take com fort in knowing that he is fin ally free from the suffering he endured w ith such strength and dignity. A man dedicated to helping others, Jerry devoted m uch of his life to service. He w orked as a nurse at Good Sam aritan Hospital, where he cared fo r patients w ith com passion and professionalism . His com m itm ent to serving his co m m un ity also included tim e spent in the Arm y National Guard and volunteering w ith the Stony Point Am bulance Corps. W hether in uniform , in the hospital, or sim p ly among friends, Jerry was always ready to lend a hand to someone in need.

FRANKFORT, NY - At 12:22 p.m. on March 25th, the Frankfort Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 4342 Acme Road in the Town of Frank­ fort. Chief Matt Palumbo arrived and confirmed a working fire in a three-story, two-family home. Fie then sought mutual aid from the Ilion Fire Department, Frankfort Center Fire Department, Schuyler

Jump to fiie #032726124

m

3P

Fire Department, Mohawk Fire Department, Cedarville Fire De­ partment, and Mohawk Valley Ambulance Corps. Firefighters from Frankfort and Ilion launched an intensive in­ terior attack, putting out the main body of fire while additional

teams investigated for extension throughout the structure. There were no injuries re­ ported. One dog died in the fire, but another was saved by emer­ gency workers. Seven people were displaced and are receiving help from the American Red Cross.The cause of the fire remains under in­ vestigation. - 1RN NEWS TEAM

BUDDY SHOTS I f you have photos you w ould like to see in our “B uddy Shots” feature, please upload them on our w ebsite, w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com o r em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com .

Jerry was predeceased by his beloved wife, Debra Vautrin, and his son, Brian Vautrin. He leaves behind a fa m ily and circle of friends w ho meant the w o rld to him, inclu ding his devoted daughter, C hristina Vautrin-C lifford (Tim M ullins); his loving life partner, Ca­ role Brown; and his honorary son, C hristopher “ M onk” Bulson. Jerry’s legacy lives on in the countless lives he helped, the frien d ­ ships he built, and the love he shared so freely. He w ill be deeply m issed and forever remembered.

www.1rbn.com

CIRCLEVILLE FIRE DISTRICT

M embers o f the C ircle ville Fire D istrict pause fo r a photo in fro n t o f th e ir tanker after a s s is tin g the Pine Bush Fire Departm ent at a stru c tu re fire. F ire figh te rs w orked in co ld c o n d itio n s to s u p p o rt o pe ra tion s and pro vid e m utual aid to th e ir n e igh bo rin g departm ent.

Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

ST

R esponder ^

W ireless news

SECURE THE 1st RESPONDER WIRELESS NEWS 2 0 2 6 DEPARTMENT BUNDLE RATE BEFORE ITS TOO LATE!

Take a d v a n ta g e o f these discounted ra te s to d a y !

5 PERSON PACKAGE

10 PERSON PACKAGE

$300

$499

Regularly $ 5 0 0

Regularly $ 1,000

Contact Nick to activate your account or prepare a customized proposal to fit your department’s specific needs: Call: (8 8 8 ) 2 3 5 -7 4 8 6 ext. 210 Email: Nicholas@1strespondernews.com

PAGE 37

PAGE 38

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

HONORS & PROMOTIONS If you have photos you would like to see in our “Honors & Promotions” feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@lstResponderNews.com.

COURTESY OF GROTON FIRE DEPARTMENT AND AMRULANCE

JEFFREY ARN0LD/@FIREPH0T025

COURTESY OF GROTON FIRE DEPARTMENT AND AMRULANCE

G roton, NY — February 13th — Lauren Dickenson, a member of the Groton Fire agency and Am bulance, was honored fo r his ded­ ication to the agency and the local com m unity. D ickenson's com ­ m itm ent to em ergency response and p u b lic safety in itia tive s that a s s is t people in the G roton area and th ro u g h o u t T om pkins C ounty w as acknowledged by departm ent authorities. Frequently responding to fires, medical emergencies, and com m unity crises, vo lu n te e r fire fig h te rs and EMS personnel co ntin ue to play a s ig ­ n ifica nt role in the co u n ty's em ergency services system . D icken­ s o n 's role in tra in in g , reaction readiness, and departm ental o pe ra tion s assistance is reflected in h is recognition.

JEFFREY ARN0LD/@FIREPH0T025

Car Fire Contained in East Bloom field EAST BLOOMFIELD, NY - On Friday, A pril 3rd, East Bloom field firefig hte rs responded to a car fire on Flatiron Road. Units arrived on location w ith a w ell-involved vehicle fire. The blaze was q uickly extinguished w ith no injuries reported.

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

PAGE 39

DRILLS/TRAINING If you have photos you would like to see in our “D rills” feature, please upload them on our website www. 1stResponderNews.com or email them to

Lindsey@l stResponderNews.com.

CASTORLAND FIRE CO.

COEYMANS HOLLOW VOLUNTEER FIRE CO.

Vehicle Fire on Bushendorf Road in Coeymans Hollow Draws Multi-Agency Response COEYMANS HOLLOW, NY - At around 6:30 p.m. on February 27th, the Coeymans Hollow Vol­ unteer Fire Co. responded to a re­ ported vehicle fire near 134 Bushendorf Road. Dispatch re­ ported that a vehicle and some nearby trees were on fire. Car 6-01 arrived first and con­ firmed a fully involved car fire with fuel burning, prompting a call for more personnel. Rescue 610 and Engine 6-20 deployed a handline to extinguish the fire. Firefighters stayed on the

Jump to file #030926100

#4 3$ scene for almost two hours to cool the vehicle, aid the towing firm, and clean up the roads. There were no injuries reported. The Ravena Rescue Squad, the Albany County Sheriff's Of­ fice EMS Division, and the Town of Coeymans Police Department all assisted at the scene. - 1RN NEWS TEAM

CASTORLAND FIRE CO.

Firefighters gathered at the Castorland Fire Department fo r th eir second night of Rapid Interven­ tion Team (RIT) training, March 25th. The instruction focused on how to find and rescue a downed or trapped fire fig h te r w ithin a burning building. Crews trained synchronized search, removal, and fire fig h te r survival m ethods fo r use in emergency circum stances on the fireground. Firefighters from the New Bremen, West Carthage, and Rutland Fire Departments, as well as Castorland mem­ bers, to o k part in the training.

PAGE 40

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

DRIIIS/TRAINING To see your D rills in the new spaper upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com o r em ail them to L indsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com

Under the d irection of tw o New York State Forest Rangers, members of the West C linton Fire D istrict finished a field search training exercise at Norrie Point State Park in February. W orking in tw o teams, firefig hte rs perform ed line searches, evidence search strategies, and effective com m unication w hile w orking in forested areas. A dditionally, the training focused on accountability protocols. Throughout the exercise, members used identification tags to track persons as they entered and left the com ­ mand post. To offer EMS coverage in the event of an injury, a departm ental ambulance stayed on the scene. This kind of search training aids in preparing firem en fo r situations involving m issing persons and other crises in rural and park settings.

COURTESY OF J.A.RARKLEY HOSE C0.N0.1 INC. ( ARGYLE FIRE/RESCUE) COURTESY OF WEST CUNTON FIRE DISTRICT

Argyle, NY - On March 1st, members of the J.A. Barkley Hose Com­ pany No. 1 received CPR tra in in g from Paramedic Stephanie Barker and EMT Seth Burch of the Argyle Em ergency Squad. Dur­ ing the class, firefig hte rs studied CPR techniques and exercised hands-on s k ills to ensure th e ir c e rtific a tio n and preparation fo r medical situations. Every tw o years, departm ent personnel update their CPR certifications to ensure that they are ready to give urgent life-saving care w hile responding to emergencies.

Submitting photos and press releases is EASY! Register at www.1rbn.com to begin posting directly. Prefer emails? Email your press release and photos directly to Lindsey@1 strespondernews.com COURTESY OF WEST CLINTON FIRE DISTRICT

N ewspaper This section is exclusively dedicated to coverage of Long Island emergency services

FRANKLIN SQUARE MUNSON FD

FRANKLIN SQUARE, NY - Franklin Square and Munson Fire Department units responded to a reported w orking fire early Sunday morning, February 15,2026, at approximately 12:45 a.m. on Franklin Avenue, between Cloud Avenue and Fenworth Boulevard. Upon arrival, firefig hte rs encountered a fire inside a one-story taxpayer building, w ith the blaze originating in a nail salon. - See full story on Page 44

ST

R esponder W ireless newsO “Where the news gets its news!”

JOIN OUR TEAM OF DISPATCHERS! Paging w ith a Rew ards Program ! Visit our website to fill out an application.

www.1rwn.com

PAGE 42

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

CORPORATE INFORMATION 1st Responder News (ISSN 1525-1683) - New York edition - Vol. 28 No. 4 - is published monthly, 12 times a year for $48 per year by Belsito Communications, Inc., 1 Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY 12553. Pe­ riodicals Postage Paid at Newburgh, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to 1st Responder News, 1Ardmore Street, New Windsor, N Y 12553. No finan­ cial re­ sponsibility is assumed by this newspaper to publish a display, classified, or legal ad or for typographical er­ rors except of reprinting that part of the ad which was omitted or in error. Omissions or errors must be brought to the attention of the newspaper during the same month of publication. Printed in Canada.

OCEANSIDE NY FIRE DEPARTMENT

8 45-534-7500 • (fa x) 845-534-0055 fn fo @ b e ls i to. co m

PURUCATION CONTENT Notice: The advertisements, articles, and letters contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views o f 1st Responder Inc. and Belsito Communications, Inc. Advertisements are sold pur­ suant to the “space available” and corresponding fee schedule. The mere fact that advertisements are contained in this publication does not express nor imply that 1st Responder Inc. and Belsito Commu­ nications, Inc. vouches for the credibility o f the claims made in the advertisements or the representations expressed or implied in them.

COMMACK FIRE DEPARTMENT

Busy Night for Commack Firefighters with M ultiple Calls COMMACK, NY - The Commack Fire Department responded to various incidents on March 6th, sta rtin g w ith a reported b uilding fire at 157 Cornell Drive around 9:23 p.m. Crews d is ­ covered th a t the fire, w hich had started on the side of the house near electrical service w ires, had been m ostly extin­ guished before they arrived. Firefighters activated one hose line to extinguish the residual fire and check fo r extension w ithin the structure. Companies 1, 2, 3 and 4 responded to the call, w ith the Sm ithtow n Fire Department serving as the autom atic RIT. About 20 m inutes later, Companies 1 and 2 re­ sponded to a car accident on the Sunken Meadow Parkway. S hortly thereafter, th ose units, along w ith the chiefs, were asked to assist the East N orthport Fire Department w ith a lad­ der tru c k at a w orking house fire.

Additional news from Long Island OCEANSIDE NY FIRE DEPARTMENT

can be found on our website at www.1rbn.com

DRIIIS/TRAINING To see yo u r D rills in the new spaper upload them on our w ebsite w w w .lstR esponderN ew s.com or em ail them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderN ew s.com

Car Crashes into TD Bank in Oceanside, Causing S tructural Damage OCEANSIDE, NY - On March 1st, emergency units responded to a m otor vehicle accident at the TD Bank on Long Beach Road after a car lost control and struck the building, causing structural damage. Both occupants of the vehicle were eval­ uated at the scene by EMS and fortunately uninjured. The in­ cident scene was su bsequently turned over to the Nassau County Police Department and the Town of Hempstead Build­ ing Department fo r further investigation and assessm ent.

RRIDGEHAMPTON FIRE DEPT.

Members of the Bridgeham pton Fire Departm ent rescue team re­ cently tested new h ydraulic rescue equipm ent that w ill be used on the departm ent's rescue vehicle, w hich is presently under de­ velopm ent.

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

PAGE 43

LONG ISLANiT

HOLBROOK FIRE DEPARTMENT

HOLBROOK FIRE DEPARTMENT

Small Kitchen Fire Handled by Holbrook Crews HOLBROOK, NY - On March 7th, firefighters from the Holbrook Fire Department responded to a suspected kitchen fire near the departm ent's headquarters. Crews responded prom ptly and discovered a small fire in the kitchen section of the resi­ dence. Firefighters secured the situation and ensured that the fire was completely extinguished before inspecting the struc­ ture for any further spread. The event was brought under con­ trol w ithout further escalation, and units were able to clear the scene and return to service in under one hour.

IN SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our “In Service” feature, please upload them on our website, w ww.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@ lstResponderNews.com

BRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY

Nassau County Firecom Command Post 1 operating at a recent house fire in Valley Stream Fire District.

EAST ROCKAWAY FIRE DEPARTMENT

Heavy House Fire in East Rockaway Leaves One Resident Hospitalized EAST ROCKAWAY, NY The East Rockaway Fire Depart­ ment responded to a reported house fire on the afternoon of Feb­ ruary 14th, at the corner of Baisley Avenue and Dart Street. First As­ sistant Chief Matt Pignataro ar­ rived on scene quickly and discovered a two-story private res­ idence heavily involved in fire on all floors. A working fire (Signal 10) was immediately transmitted. Engine 404 was the first en­ gine to arrive, securing a water source and beginning efforts to ex­ tinguish the blaze. Additional re­ sponding units included E adder 403, Engine 405, Engine 406,

tp file #030826113

&

i

&

Eleavy Rescue 407, Ambulance 408, and Ambulance 4081, all of which operated at the scene. Firefighting operations were complicated by the advanced stage of the fire, which had compro­ mised the flooring throughout the structure. One occupant was trans­ ported to a local hospital in stable condition, while one firefighter was treated and released at the scene. Mutual aid was provided by the Lynbrook Fire Department,

Oceanside Fire Department, Rockville Centre Fire Department, Elewlett Fire Department, and the Nassau County Police Depart­ ment. Woodmere Volunteer Fire Department, Island Park Volunteer Fire Department, and Fakeview Fire Department stood by in the village for additional alarms dur­ ing the incident. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Nassau County Police Depart­ ment Arson Bomb Squad. - 1RN NEWS TEAM

PAGE 44

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

Quick Response Contains Nail Salon Fire in Franklin Square FRANKLIN SQUARE, NY Franklin Square and Munson Fire Department units responded to a re­ ported working fire early Sunday morning, February 15, 2026, at ap­ proximately 12:45 a.m. on Franklin Avenue, between Cloud Avenue and Fenworth Boule­ vard. Upon arrival, firefighters encoun­ tered a fire inside a one-story taxpayer building, with the blaze originating in a nail salon. Crews quickly stretched and op­ erated one hand line, successfully knocking down the fire before it could extend to neighboring occu­ pancies or spread into the building’s cockloft. Thanks to the rapid response, the fire was contained to the original occupancy, preventing further dam­ age to adjacent exposures. No in­ juries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. All fire depart­ ment units at the scene operated under the command of Chief of De­ partment Pons. -1RN NEWS TEAM

FRANKLIN SQUARE MUNSON FD

FRANKLIN SQUARE MUNSON FD

APPARATUS IN ACTION To see your A pparatus in A ction in the new spaper upload them on our website w ww .lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@ lstR esponderNews.com

RRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY

Firefighters Contain Brentwood House Fire BRENTWOOD, NY - In the evening hours o f Tuesday, January 13th, the Brentw ood Fire De­ partm ent and m utual aid com panies operated at a w orking private dw elling fire located on Am erican Boulevard. No injuries were reported. The fire is cu rre n tly under investigation. U nits operated under the com m and o f 3-2-30.

RRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY

Valley Stream FD Engine 343 operating with handlines in operation at a house fire, January 20, 2026.

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

PAGE 45

LONG ISLAND] FIREFIGHTER PROFILES If your department has photos you would like to see in our “Firefighter Profiles” feature, please upload them on our website, mw .lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@l stResponderNews.com

BRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY

BAYPORT FIRE DEPARTMENT

In February, the Bayport Fire Department honored longstanding member and D istrict Manager Paul Bachek's retirem ent fo llo w in g years of loyal service to the departm ent and com m unity. A ccord­ ing to departm ent authorities, Bachek played an essential role in the fire d istric t's operations and adm inistration during his tenure. Members of the Board of Fire C om m issioners, chief officers, and firem en expressed gratitude fo r his dedication and leadership.

RRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY

PLAINVIEW VOL. FIRE DEPT.

In March, the Plainview Volunteer Fire Department honored form er Captain Eugene Wagner fo r 35 years of active service to the Plainview-Old Bethpage com m unity. Wagner's decades of passion and comm itm ent, according to departm ent officials, have helped to as­ sist emergency response activities and serve citizens throughout the d istrict. Members congratulated Wagner on attaining the m ile­ stone and expressed gratitude fo r his many years of service to the departm ent and com m unity.

V alley Stream Fire Dept. Combats House Fire VALLEY STREAM, NY - In the afternoon hours of Tuesday, January 20th, the Valley Stream Fire Department and m utual aid com panies operated at a w orking private dw elling fire located on Roosevelt Avenue. No injuries were reported. The fire is cu rren tly under investigation. Units operated under the com m and of 3400.

PAGE 46

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

LONG ISLAND1

Seven H ospitalized A fte r Carbon M onoxide Emergency in V alley Stream Home VALLEY STREAM, NY - On March 8 2026, the Valley Stream Volunteer Fire De­ partment responded to a reported carbon monoxide emer­ gency at a residen­ tial home in Valley Stream. Upon ar­ rival, responding units quickly deter­ mined that the house contained dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide. Firefighters located two pa­ tients unconscious on the first floor of the residence. In total, seven in­ dividuals were affected by the in­ cident, with two patients listed in critical condition. All seven pa­ tients were transported to Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) by VSFD Ambulance 349 and the Nassau County Police Emergency Ambulance Bureau. Investigators later determined that the source of the carbon monoxide was a broken vent pipe connected to the home’s hot water heater. Fire department units re­ mained on scene for more than an hour ventilating the residence to remove the hazardous gas. The operation was conducted under the command of Chief of the Department Anthony Capone, who also acknowledged the swift and coordinated response from the Nassau County Police Department, the Emergency Ambulance Bu­ reau, and the Valley Stream Volun­ teer Fire Department. - 1RN NEWS TEAM

VALLEY STREAM VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

VALLEY STREAM VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

PAGE 47

LONG ISLA

ElMOIfT FIRE DEPARTMENT

RRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY

ELMONT FIRE DEPARTMENT

Elmont FD Responds to Second-Floor Fire on Sewanee Avenue ELMONT, NY - The Elm ont Fire Departm ent responded to a reported house fire at 171 Sewanee Avenue on March 13th fo llo w in g co m p la ints of sm oke com ing from a private resi­ dence. S hortly after the alarm w ent off, Chief 7010 arrived, confirm ed that there was a fire on the second story, and re­ quested a w o rkin g fire dispatch. Engine and tru c k com pa­ nies extended handlines and started internal o pe ra tion s w hile fire fig h te rs tried to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the house. Chief Segovia was in charge o f the incident. There were no reported injuries.

RRADLEY FOWLER/FIRE GUY PHOTOGRAPHY

No Injuries Reported at SecondAlarm House Fire in Plainview PLAINVIEW , NY - In th e a fte rn o o n h o u rs o f S aturday, F e b ru a ry 7th, th e P la in v ie w Fire D ep artm en t and m u tu a l aid c o m p a n ie s o pe ra te d at a 2nd ala rm w o rk in g p riv a te d w e llin g fire lo c a te d on M o n tc la ir Road. No in ju rie s w e re re p o rte d . T he fire is c u rre n tly u n d e r in ­ v e s tig a tio n . U n its o p e ra te d u n d e r th e c o m m a n d o f 9501.

PAGE 48

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

LONG ISLANI

HICKSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

RALDWIN FIRE DEPARTMENT

F ire fig h te rs C ontain B a ld w in S tru c tu re F ire BALDWIN, NY - The Baldwin Fire Department responded to a working structure fire on March 6th at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Eastern Boulevard. On arrival, firefighters set up a water supply, deployed hose lines, and started suppression operations. While making sure the nearby residences were secure, crews tried to contain the fire and check the building for an extension.

Early-Morning Fire Causes Damage at West Side School in Oyster Bay

HICKSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Quick Response by Hicksville FD and EMS at South Broadway Crash HICKSVILLE, NY - On March 8th, the Hicksville Fire Depart­ ment responded to a car accident at the intersection of Fourth Street and South Broadway, next to Holy Family Church. In order to access the occupants, crews secured the vehicles, managed potential dangers, and started operations. While firefighters tried to keep the scene safe for responders and nearby drivers, EMS professionals assessed individuals involved.

OYSTER BAY, NY - In the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 10th, the Oyster Bay Fire Department and the Atlantic Steamer Fire Company responded to an automatic fire alarm at West Side School. The elementary school is part of the Cold Spring Harbor School District. The depart­ ment was alerted at approximately 4:42 a.m. Due to the nature of the incident, mutual aid was requested from several neighboring fire departments. Nassau County FireCom, the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management also responded and assisted at the scene. West Side School unfortu­ nately sustained damage as a re­ sult of the incident. The situation was brought under control through the coordinated efforts of all responding agencies working together. - 1RN NEWS TEAM

OYSTER RAY FIRE DEPARTMENT

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

PAGE 49

Armor Tuff Emergency Service Flooring The Armor Tuff Staff would like send a "Sincere Thank You" to the Glouces­ ter City Fire Department. Meeting Firefighter Ryan Holmes at the Wildwood Fireman's Convention, Ryan saw the potential to install Armor Tuff Tiles in most rooms of his station creating a renovation project. With the support of Thomas Quinn, Fire Director, Holmes measured each room and asked Armor Tuff for quotes. Once he realized in­ stalling Armor Tuff Tiles were afford­ able, Holmes ordered tiles for each room. "The transformation was re­ markable! " states Holmes. "We knew the station would look great, but after the rooms were completed and the ap­ paratus bay installed, we were ex­ tremely happy with the results". Holmes goes on to say; "we had money left over to purchase new Groves Gear Racks and Hose Storage Carts to organize our apparatus bays. Also a special thanks to Director Quinn for authorizing the purchase.

"We are very happy with our decision to use Armor Tuff Flooring in our sta­ tion. What started out as a small proj­ ect, for a few rooms, turned into be a full blown renovation o f our floors. What a difference the floors made to the appearance of our station", states Quinn. The Director continued to say, "We were proud to open our doors to a Maryland Fire Department to show the quality workmanship that we received from Armor Tuff. They were fast, pro­ fessional, neat, clean and we were driv­ ing on the floor the following day. Thank you Armor Tuff" "We highly recommend installing an Armor Tuff Interlocking floor all over your station!" Planning to build or renovate a station? Let us quote a new floor for your sta­ tion!

PROVIDED

G loucester C ity FD - G loucester City, NJ.

PROVIDED

Groves 20" Wall Mounted Gear Lockers w ith Security Features

PROVIDED

PROVIDED

Apparatus Room Loaded and Ready.

Training Room.

PAGE 50

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

ACTION SHOTS If you have photos you would like to see in our “Action Shots” feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@l stResponderNews.com.

GARY HEARN

GARY HEARN

Crews on scene of a fatal 4th alarm fire in Queens, College Point, March 16, 2026 at 12:29 P.M.

Bronx 2nd Alarm, Box 3514, 2928 Briggs Avenue (the Quarters of E-79,L-37 & B-27) on March 27, 2026 at 6:00 A.M.

A golf brand inspired by surf culture. Offering clothes and accessories meant to stand out from the rest.

singlefingolf.com (D @singlefingolf

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

PAGE 51

Rick Billings E

on t s

inferno ....

DAVID DDRNS/@FD4D

c 2026 by Rick Billings inst @jampony452

bear59dog@yahoo.com

DAVID DDRNS/@FD4D

OUR CALENDAR IS EXPANDING We Need Your Help!

Post an event in your area at www.1rbn.com Kppn an pup nut fnr Natinnal Fvnnts tnnf

DAVID RDRNS/@FD4D

NYC St. P a trick’s Day Parade In keeping w ith tradition, the FDNY turned out in fu ll force on March 17th to take part in the 265th St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Am ong those in attendance were Fire Com m issioner Lillian Bonsignore, Chief of Department John M. Esposito and 1st Deputy Fire Com m issioner Daniel Flynn.

PAGE 52

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

LaGuardia Plane Crash K ills Two P ilots, Injures 30 Others QUEENS, NY - The crash oc­ curred around 11:45 p.m. on Sun­ day, March 23 rd, when an Air Canada regional jet arriving from Montreal struck an airport fire truck traveling across the runway to respond to a sep­ arate incident aboard another plane. According to air traffic control audio, the pilot of that other plane — United Flight 2384 — reported a “weird odor” was causing flight atten­ dants to feel ill while the plane was waiting to take off. The pilot declared an emergency and re­ quested to return to a gate and for firefighters to respond. Audio recordings from the airport control tower indicate that the truck was initially cleared to cross the runway before a con­ troller tried to pull it back to avoid a collision. The unnamed controller repeatedly told the ve­ hicle to stop and diverted incom­ ing aircraft from landing. Tie said later in the recording: “I messed up.” Photos and videos from the crash’s aftermath show the jet’s nose crushed and tilted upward, with debris hanging from the mangled cockpit. Stairways used to evacuate passengers were pushed up to the emergency exits and the damaged emergency ve­ hicle lay on its side nearby. Weather at the time of the crash included moderate winds of about 7 knots and visibility of around 4 miles (6.5 kilometers) with mist and fog conditions, ac­ cording to Bryan Bedford, head of the Federal Aviation Adminis­ tration.

VVtStON

DAVID DURNS/@FD4D

FDNY Command Post

-DAVID BURNS

DAVID BURNS/@FD4D

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

PAGE 53

M assive 4-Alarm Fire in Queens K ills 3, Including Child QUEENS, NY - On March 16th, FDNY Box 4-4-9411 bat­ tled an early afternoon 4-alarm blaze with numerous injuries. The box was transmitted at 12:36 P.M., with numerous calls for reports of occu­ pants trapped. First arriving units found a heavy fire condi­ tion on all three floors with occu­ pants trapped. Ad­ ditional alarms were subsequently transmitted. Officials reported three fatal­ ities and several critically injured. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. -DAVID BURNS

DAVID DURNS/@FD4D

DAVID DURNS/@FD4D

PAGE 54

May, 2026

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

Seeing people through DEPARTMENT PROFILE God’s eyes

If your 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@lstResponderNews.com

Chaplain’s Corner Didymus McHugh

Many of us see people through our earthly eyes that may be cov­ ered with bias and prejudices, ei­ ther learned or taught but there may be a rare treat of seeing people as God sees them. I have been around people who have assisted me with my vision problem. Starting when I was young, I had people remove some scales from my eyes. I have had the pleasure of breaking bread with others and had heart to heart talks with them. We explored common­ alities and understood why we have our differences. We were smart enough and brave enough to accept each other as people that were cre­ ated by God. But still, there were other peo­ ple that we did not recognize and treat like invisible, but that was taught by society. Some were homeless, disabled or mentally ill, that was putting some scales back on the eyes. I admit that some generaliza­ tions were easier to deal with dur­ ing my EMS days, which did not change the fact that I was still ig­ noring their humanity and the fact that we had the same Creator. When my daughter was bom with disabilities and all her chal­ lenges, I finally saw and started to understand challenges of that pop­ ulation. We need to see them as people. They may have their chal­ lenges, but they are still people, who have thoughts, feelings, ideas, and a sense of humor. My daughter removed so many scales from my eyes. I now try to speak out and find ways to assist them. I was invited to preach in a homeless shelter and feed in an­ other Shelter. I got to sit down and know the men. I listened to their stories of misfortune, drug use, and current challenges. I realized that if I made different decisions, I could have been in the shelters. The men, who became my friends, help me see them and care about them and they took more scales off my eyes. One time I was working in the hospital and got called to work with

a woman in detox, who decided to punch out a window with mesh in it. I originally saw a person that I might have ignored prior. As we were talk­ ing, I listened to this woman and there was so much of her life that could have been from my life. As we continued to talk, more scales fell from my eyes, and I had the ability to have God's view of a beautiful woman. I got a chance to see some­ one in the beauty that God sees all His children. So many of my scales fell off. God does not see color or differ­ ences, but He sees someone that He has made plans for, that He has won­ derfully made in His image. The first thing that we need to do is to see others with the heart and eyes that God wants us to have. Some people say that we are not to be social workers, but we are to care for, feed, clothe, and visit our brothers and sisters. We should start to care for some­ one by acknowledging their exis­ tence. Look at them eye to eye and really see them. Listen to their sto­ ries. You may find parts of yourself in them or understand more of their thinking or behaviors. I understand that some people may not want to go into shelters be­ cause many of them are unsafe. There are also some people who may be wealthy, but they wish to remain homeless and live on the streets. We may see people where they are, instead of their prior experience or expertise. There may be someone that you came across who was men­ tally or spiritually crushed, after a traumatic event. They might not have access or knowledge about where to get help to allow them to heal. We may have been hurt by one person and then make a grand gener­ alization and then the other person may do the same thing, make a gen­ eralization of one group because of one or a few knuckleheads. Is that fair and do you like it when someone does it to you? When we use gener­ alizations and pass that onto others, we may start may problems in the communities. Should we treat each person with dignity? The person that you see as homeless now may have served honorably as an emergency responder or in the military. You may never find out. They may never di­ vulge the information with you. We may look at someone with a physical disability and try to figure

out what is different about them, but have you asked yourself how the person is looking at you? Are they looking at you, trying to figure out what's up with because of your words, actions, or attitude? What about disabilities that are not visi­ ble? There may be people that are different from you, but that person can be your best friend. If you only talk to people who are just like you that would be like eating a lifetime of nothing but vanilla ice cream. I have friends of different reli­ gions. I do not apologize about my religion, and they should not have to for their beliefs. We accept each other just as we are. I have friends that go through many different challenges. Why do they have to go through them? Only God knows. Many times, it can be preparing them for some work that He has for them in the future. You have your own challenges that you have to go through and have already gone through. A disease or condition should not identify a person. The individual may have cancer, but his name is not Cancer Ken and someone with dia­ betes is not Diabetes Dan. They are just Ken and Dan. Sure you may not know what to say but just treat them like any other person. You may offer to assist the person but don't be hurt if they decide that they can do the task without you. Through getting to know strangers, I have developed friends from what people tell me are of so many different religions, ethnic backgrounds, regions, races etc.. I do not try to pay attention to those things, I just look at their hearts. Jesus stated that we are to love our neighbors. He did not say that they are to be like us. Take that as a hint. Open your mind and your heart. If you don't you will be missing a lot and miss out on getting to know some really great people. If you don't love your neighbor, that will be something else that you are not lis­ tening to God on. Smile, say hello to someone you don't know. I saw a shirt that indi­ cated that a stranger is a friend that we have not met yet.

STEVE WHITE

Engine 157/Ladder 80, their nickname is Cougar Country, serve the Port Richm ond section of Staten Island.

FUTURE 1st RESPONDERS If you have photos you would like to see in our "‘Future First Responders" feature, please upload them on our website, www.lstResponderNews.com or email them to Lindseyw! lstResponderNews.com.

Stay safe, Didymus McHugh didymus-mchugh. com

STEVE WHITE

G irl S couts from St. P atrick's School v is ite d R ichm ond Engine Com pany 1 in March and were given a to u r of the firehouse, as w ell as learning fire safety.

1st Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

PAGE 55

Five-Alarm Fire a t 1st Avenue and 52nd S treet in Brooklyn Draws M assive FDNY Response BROOKLYN, NY - On March 11th, five alarms were called for three commercialtype buildings at 1st Avenue and 52nd Street. In addition to the 5th alarm, there were numerous spe­ cial calls, including two Marine Compa­ nies, an additional Satellite Unit, sev­ eral Battalion Chiefs, and tower ladders. - DAVID BUR NS

DAVID DURNS/@FD4D

DAVID DURNS/@FD4D

PAGE 56

1ST Responder Newspaper - NY

May, 2026

SPARTAN S -180 PUMPER

'LL

Supply Company

ROAD READY N HALF THE TIME. -4 m

.unafd.org

* m n

PERFORMANCE STATS

FEATURES & BENEFITS

•

C u s to m chassis

Enhanced Maneuverability

•

Side o r to p -m o u n te d c o n fig u ra tio n s

•

750 a n d 1 0 0 0 -g a llo n ta n k c a p a c ity

one o f th e sm alle st tu rn radiuses in its class. W ith

•

A v a ila b le in 9 c u s to m c o n fig u ra tio n s

c ra m p angles reaching up to 53 degrees a nd an

•

Full h e ig h t c o m p a rtm e n ta tio n

•

M a x im iz e d c o m p a rtm e n t s p a c e

a p p ro a c h a n g le o f up to 19 degrees, it c o m fo rta b ly surpasses NFPA1901 requirem ents.

•

H ale a n d W a te ro u s p u m p s

Engineered fo r tig h t spaces, th is chassis delivers

Maximized Compartment Space Designed fo r re a l-w o rld utility, th e b o d y fe a ture s b o th fu ll-d e p th a n d s p lit-d e p th co m p a rtm e n ts w ith ve rsa tile slid e -o u t tra y s —g iving crew s m ore o rg a n ize d sto ra g e a nd easier access to equipm ent.

Most Spacious Cab The ca b la yo u t prioritizes c o m fo rt a n d fu n ction , o ffe rin g generous in te rio r room , im proved sightlines, sm a rt sto ra g e solutions, an d e rg o n o m ic design elem ents th a t su p p o rt cre w safety.

Independent Front Suspension The a va ila b le 20k a nd 24k in d e p e n d e n t fro n t suspension system s d e live r e xce lle n t c ra m p angles a nd full a ir-rid e p e rfo rm a n ce . M u ltip le tire size o p tio ns a llo w fo r easier se rvice a b ility a nd sm ooth o p e ra tio n .

0<DO©@

M o re Info On Cam pbellSupply.com