It is our mission to protect lives and property through activities associated with fire prevention and fire suppression, and to respond to emergencies and calls for assistance when needed.  Membership requires teamwork, while operating within the Department’s chain of command.  There is no so-called free styling at emergency scenes.  Accountability and safety is paramount to our success.

Training is also essential to our success.  Aside from entry-level training provided through the State, there is advanced training available and in-house training that will help you hone your skills to better serve our community.  Practice, practice, practice, and then, more practice.

An interior firefighter is a member that has successfully completed the NYS Firefighter 1 (FF1) course, or its accepted equivalent, and is medically cleared through a physician to conduct interior firefighting operations, and the ability to don a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).  The FF1 course is at least 104 hours in length and is typically conducted on select evenings and weekends.  Our interior firefighters are also required to complete firefighter safety Bailout Training and attend a controlled Live Burn each year.

An exterior firefighter is a member that successfully completes a Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations (BEFO) course, or its accepted equivalent , but is not permitted to enter a burning building and is not permitted to don a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).  The BEFO course is at least 42 hours in length and is typically conducted on select evenings and weekends.  Additionally, a member that has successfully completed the Firefighter 1 (FF1) course, or its accepted equivalent, and is not medically cleared through a physician to conduct interior firefighting operations and the ability to don a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) is also classified as an exterior firefighter.

Being a volunteer firefighter takes commitment.  There is actually a nationwide crisis in recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters.  Approximately 65% to 75% of all firefighters in the United States are volunteers, making up the majority of the Fire Service.  We need members just like our nationwide counterparts.  We hope that you share our desires, give back to your community, and serve with pride as a professional volunteer firefighter.

Joining now is even better.  Members completing certain first-time firefighter training courses may be eligible to receive a training stipend.  Training pays in many ways!  The New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Office of Fire Prevention and Control has been offering generous stipends for specific training courses completed after 08/21/2023.  There are also some income tax and property tax incentives available to volunteer firefighter and volunteer ambulance workers in New York State.