Apassing volunteer fire chief called in a fire at a storage warehouse.
See story on page 4
Pets Die in Colonie House Fire
Two elderly residents who had been out for dinner arrived to find the breezeway of their home on fire.
See story on page 6
Brockport Historic
Landmark Home Burns
Brockport firefighters were summoned to the Morgan Manning House, for a report of smoke.
See story on page 14
St. Albans 1st Floor Fire Extends
The fire was on the first floor with extension above.
See story on page 17
House Fire Sends Occupant
into the Cold
Buffalo firefighters were called to a reported house fire.
See story on page 28
Rochester House Fire on Laser Street
Rochester firefighters were dispatched to Laser Street for the report of a fire in the rear of a structure.
See story on page 31
Serving Fire & EMS Heroes Since 1973
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TIM EDWARDS, Chief Operating Officer
GARYP. JOYCE, Editor
MYLES QUINN, Long Island Editor
MARIE TROTTA, Vice President, Production
LYNN SEDLER, Art Director
CLIFFCHIESA, Production Manager
BARBARACONNOLLY, Vice President National Sales
SUZANNE BANCROFT, Business Development Manager
BRYAN LOPEZ, Editorial Assistant
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DENNIS WHITTAM, Editor Emeritus
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COPYRIGHT2025, THE FIRE NEWS INC., LONG ISLAND, NEWYORK. ALLRIGHTS RESERVED FOR MORE INFORMATION, (631) 776-0500 Advertising: Ext3, Editorial: Ext 281 or LI@firenews.com
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Long Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, S. Carolina, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia, and Wildwood, NJ
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Proud Member Of:
Schenectady Storage Warehouse Blaze
Avolunteerfire chief called in a fire at a storage warehouse on Maxon Road Extension on January 1, 2025. Upon arrival of firstdue Schenectady (SFD) Engine 4, they reported flames showing from the roof of the 50- x 100-foot structure. Firefighters used a partnersaw to gain access on an overhead door. Neighboring
Niskayuna Fire District 1’s towerladderwas positioned in front of the building while SFD Truck 1 was positioned along the B side of the building. The fire was brought undercontrol in less than an hour. The cause was underinvestigation.
- Fire News photos by Peter R. Barber
7 Hurt, 250 Displaced in 12 HourBronx Blaze
Afive-alarm fire broke out early on January 10, 2025, in an apartment complex on Wallace Avenue in the Allerton section of the Bronx. FDNYunits battled frigid temperatures and a fierce wind which hampered fire operations. At least seven people were hurt and more than 250 needed shelterand emergency assistance. The incident took more than 12 hours to bring undercontrol.
- Fire News photos by FirstOnScenePhotos.com and Lloyd Mitchell
NYSAFC is Excited to Announce a New Partnership with FIRE NEWS to Publish SIZE UP Magazine
We’re joining forces with emergency services industry leader FIRE NEWS for production of our tri-annual magazine in 2025.
For more than 70 years, SIZE UP has been an important tool for communicating with association members and members of the New York state fire and emergency medical services.
SIZE UP has evolved from a 4-page newsletter to a 40plus page magazine, and our new partnership with FIRE NEWS will ensure its continued growth well into the future.
SIZE UP will continue to feature articles on fireground operations and fire department administration by renowned fire service experts, along with columns by NYSAFC officers and updates on New York state EMS and government affairs issues. NYSAF’s 10,000-plus members and all of New York state’s 1,500-plus
fire departments will receive our SIZE UP print edition in May, September, and December 2025. Adigital edition will also be available. Barbara Connolly, FIRE NEWS vice president national sales, will coordinate advertising sales for SIZE UP on behalf of NYSAFC. Email Barb for details on advertising opportunities.
SIZE UP has played a critical role in carrying out our mission of “Providing Service to Those Who Serve.” We know our magazine will be in good hands with our friends at FIRE NEWS, who have been serving first responders for more than 50 years. We look forward to the debut of a new and improved SIZE UP in 2025!
Questions to NYSAFC can be emailed to Communications Coordinator Mary Hanlon.
Pets Die in Colonie House Fire
On January 5, 2025, West Crescent, Clifton Park, Hillcrest, Halfmoon and Boght fire departments were called to Dunsbach Ferry Road in Colonie fora structure fire. The two elderly residents who had been out fordinnerarrived to find the breezeway of their
home on fire. The fire quickly spread to the garage and then to the home. The departments used waterand foam to help bring the fire undercontrol. Unfortunately, the family’s seven cats succumbed to smoke inhalation. - Submitted by Lori Washburn; Photos by Truck
Brooklyn 3-Alarmer
FDNYunits battled a raging three-alarm blaze in a vacant private dwelling early on January 6, 2025. The 2-1/2 story house was heavily involved as the first companies arrived at the MillerAvenue address nearAtlantic Avenue. The fire was rapidly spreading to the houses on both sides. It took nearly two hours to bring the incident undercontrol. - Fire News photos by
5-Alarm Warehouse Fire in Rochester
Around 2115 on January 4, 2025, RochesterPolice were dispatched to Hague Street fora burglaralarm. They arrived to find smoke coming from the building and requested the fire department, who farrived to find smoke showing from numerous roll up doors. Lines were quickly stretched and crews made entry, searching forthe seat of the fire. Engine companies worked hard but were unable to get access to the fire as crews on the roof reported heavy fire visible
through a hole. Firefighters were pulled out of the building as strong winds pushed the well-advanced fire throughout the building. Multiple additional alarms were declared totaling five full alarms as crews worked to control the fire with wind chill temperatures in the teens. Firefighters worked with ladderpipes and masterstreams to bring the fire undercontrol.
- Fire News photos by PuckStopperPhotography.com
Apartment House Fire in Cheektowaga
Cleveland
to a reported
ple units. At one point a Mayday was declared, howeverit was quickly terminated.
The
Hill Fire Department responded
apartment building fire on Drake Street in Cheektowaga on January 9, 2025. Upon arrival, crews experienced heavy fire throughout multi-
- Fire News photos by Donald Kilianski and Tim Berry
Chatham Structure Kept from Extending
On December27, 2024, at 1858, the Chatham Fire Department (CFD) was dispatched forwhat was originally called an outdoor boilerfire not involving a structure. Car1 and Engine 58-22 responded, and, priorto arrival, it was updated to a working barn fire. Car1 requested Engine 58-42 along with an engine and tanker from East Chatham. Red Rock was requested to establish a fill site and a tankerfrom Ghent was dispatched to the scene. Valatie 5532 was relocated to Station 58. The structure was a total loss but there was no extension to otherstructures. No injuries were reported. Units returned to service shortly before midnight. CFD was assisted at the scene by the Columbia County Fire Coordinator, Chatham Ladies Auxiliary, Chatham Rescue Squad Inc and NYSEG. - Fire News photo by David Levow
House Fire on St. Paul Blvd.
In the afternoon of January 20, 2025, St. Paul firefighters, along with mutual aid, were dispatched to St. Paul Boulevard in Irondequoit forthe report of a house on fire. On arrival, companies found heavy smoke showing from the third floorof the home. Crews made entry to the home and made theirway to the third floorwhere they found heavy fire conditions, but were able to quickly knock down the fire.
- Fire News photo by PuckStopperPhotography.com
Cover Story
Spring Valley Abandoned Building Fire
On January 9, 2025, the Spring Valley Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire off of North Main Street in the village. First-due units found a working fire in the rearof a boarded up and abandoned church which was rapidly extending up the eaves to the interiorof the structure, driven by high winds. Along with several area departments on mutual aid, firefighters fought the fire and the bitterwintercold to bring the fire undercontrol using
multiple handlines and two aerial masterstreams from the Monsey and West Nyack. Although the building was boarded up and considered vacant, officials believe that squatters were living inside at the time of the fire. The fire was underinvestigation by the Spring Valley Police Department and the BCI Unit of the Rockland County Sheriff's Office.
- Fire News photos by Kenny Flynn
House Fire Traps Occupant
At the same time a two-alarm fire was burning in South Buffalo on January 5, 2025, reports of a house fire on North Eagle Street were received at 0410. Upon arrival, units found heavy fire engulfing the
second floorand attic. At one point the roof collapsed forcing a defensive exteriorattack. One occupant was rescued and was transported to a local hospital. - Fire News photos by Peter R. Barber
Canarsie All-Hands
Firefighters battled hoarding conditions while fighting an apartment fire on East 102 Street in Canarsie on January 15, 2025. Members found heavy smoke throughout the apartment. Units used two hoselines to knock down the main body of fire. Searches throughout were negative. - Fire News photo by Lloyd Mitchell
Heavily Involved on Arrival
FDNYcompanies arriving at a private dwelling on 120th Avenue in the South Jamaica section of Queens on January 21, 2025, found the building heavily involved. Fire was showing from both floors of the two-story house with extension to exposure four. Lines were quickly stretched and put into operation. It took nearly 30 minutes to extinguish the main body of fire and extensive overhaul was required. - Fire News photo by FirstOnScenePhotos.com
Brockport Historic Landmark Home Burns
On January 14, 2025, Brockport firefighters were summoned to Main Street and the Morgan Manning House, a historic landmark in the Village of Brockport fora report of smoke in the structure. On arrival, handlines were pulled from Pumper233 and laid into the basement and first floor. Fire companies from Spencerport, Murray, Bergen, Churchville, Chili, LeRoy, Gates, North Greece, Kendall, Albion, Clarendon, Hilton, and Hamlin-Morton-Walker were summoned formutual aid, as the fire went to fouralarms. A small fire iwas found in the basement and, while dealing with that, the first-floorunit was reporting heavy fire which they extinguished. Crews were ordered to the second floorto search forextension which was found within the walls. Not long after, the first-floor division reported a partial collapse of a section of the second floor.
Crews were then ordered from the second floorand shifted to a defensive attack. Due to the floorcollapse and the inability to access the fire within the walls, fire quickly spread to the attic and broke out on the second floor. Brockport PD provided security forthe structure overnight and the Monroe County Fire Bureau; Fire Investigation Team returned lthe next morning to continue their investigation. Ourheartfelt thanks go out to ourneighboring departments and organizations that contributed to extinguishing this blaze, and provided standby apparatus. We also wish to thank the local businesses that provided food and beverages forour personnel.
- Fire News story and photos provided by Christopher R. Martin, District PIO
Yonkers Starts New Year2025
Just after1500 on January 10, 2025, Yonkers Fire responded to numerous calls fora house fire in the Lincoln Park section of the city. The first-due engine arrived to heavy fire from the rearporches on all floors of a 2-1/2-story private house on Tibbetts Road. Within 20 minutes, a second alarm was requested as members faced
exposure problems. The fire extended into the attic space and took just overan hourto bring undercontrol. This would be the first of five structure fires in 10 days to start the new year.
- Fire News photos by Mike Messar
Rescue at Brooklyn 3-Alarmer
On January 22, 2025, Engine Company 255 and TowerLadder157 responded to a phone alarm in a private dwelling in Brooklyn. They found heavy fire on the second floorand attic of a 2-1/2-story wood frame dwelling. Units were able to rescue an elderly man. The fire
ultimately reached three alarms as firefighters used one tower ladderand fourhoselines to knock down the main body of fire. - Fire News photos by
Lloyd Mitchell
St. Albans 1st FloorFire Extends
FDNYunits in St. Albans, Queens were on the scene of a private dwelling fire on 197th Street near115th Avenue on January 20, 2025. The fire was on the first floorwith extension above. No injuries were reported.
All Hands at East Elmhurst Fire
FDNYcompanies in the East Elmhurst section of Queens battled an all-hands fire in a restaurant on Astoria Boulevard near95th Street on January 20, 2025. The fire was found within the walls of the
two-story commercial building and required extensive overhaul to extinguish multiple pockets of fire.
FDNYcompanies from throughout the city battled a stubborn three-alarm blaze in an eight-story multiple dwelling on East 91st Street on the upperEast Side of Manhattan on January 27, 2025. The fire seemed to have originated on the fourth floorbut quickly spread upward, eventually getting into the cockloft with flames extending through the roofline. Numerous truck companies were special called forsearch and relief purposes. It took almost two hours and 200 firefighters to bring the incident undercontrol. - Fire News photos by FirstOnScenePhotos.com
RolloverMVAin Blooming Grove
At 0703, the Washingtonville Fire Department was dispatched fora report of an MVArolloveron Horton Road in the Town of Blooming Grove. Upon arrival, fire department personnel found a van down the embankment, and on its side with the injured drivertrapped. The crews of Squad 580 and Ladder579 stabilized the vehicle, removed the windshield and extricated the driver. This was done underthe supervision of the Blooming Grove VolunteerAmbulance Corps Paramedics. The victim was packaged, placed into a Stoke’s
and removed to street
Once brought to street
was turned overto Blooming Grove Ambulance personnel fortreatment and transportation to Garnett Medical Center. Salisbury Mills was placed on automatic response to coverWashingtonville. The cause of the accident was underinvestigation by the Blooming Grove Police Department.
- Fire News photos by Gary Hearn, Past Chief, Washingtonville FD
basket
level.
level, she
RochesterTire Shop Fire
In the morning hours of December26, 2025, Rochesterfirefighters were dispatched to Hudson Avenue forthe report of a fire in the area. Companies pulled up to find smoke showing from a tire shop and worked to open up the building as engine companies pulled line into the building quickly knocking down the fire.
- Fire News photo by PuckStopperPhotography.com
Latham DinerFire Stopped
Around midnight on January 27, 2025, Verdoy, Albany Airport, Boght and Colonie Village were called to the Metro 7 Dinerin Latham fora structure fire. The fire departments worked hard to find the source of the fire, which quickly spread between the walls from the basement to the first floor. Luckily the fire was subdued before it spread to the roof.
- Submitted by Lori Washburn; Photos by Truck
House Fire on Emerson Street
On the morning of January 18, 2025, Rochesterfirefighters were dispatched to Emerson Street formultiple calls reporting a house on fire. First arriving companies found heavy fire from the second floorof a large two-story vacant dwelling. Companies forced entry to the home and made theirway to the second floorwhere they
worked to knock down the fire. Firefighters found extension into the attic and worked with crews on the roof to put out the flames. The fire was brought undercontrol a short time later.
- Fire News photos by PuckStopperPhotography.com
House Fire Sends Occupant into the Cold
Buffalo firefighters were called to a reported house fire on Howlett Street shortly after2200 on January 4, 2025. Heavy fire was venting from a second-floorwindow and quickly extending to the attic. Truck 5 and Truck 6 were set up in front of the building as the fire
began to consume the structure. An extra two engines and a ladder were called to the scene to assist.
- Fire News photos by Peter R. Barber
NewtoTHEM
Pomona School Fire Pomona School Fire
On December29, 2024, the Hillcrest Fire Department was dispatched foran automatic fire alarm at a local religious girls parochial school off of Route 45 in Pomona. When firefighters arrived, they were met with heavy fire showing in the rearcornerof the building and quickly discovered a large propane tank attached to the structure was on fire and venting. Firefighters forced entry into the empty school and knocked down the large body of fire
burning in one of the largerclassrooms. With additional mutual aid, they were able to contain the blaze to the room of origin and stopped any additional extension to otherareas of the single-story school. The fire was underinvestigation by the Ramapo Police Department and the BCI Unit of the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office. - Fire News photo by Kenny Flynn
RochesterHouse Fire on LaserStreet
In the early morning hours of January 17, 2025, Rochesterfirefighters were dispatched to LaserStreet forthe report of a fire in the rearof a structure. On arrival, companies found heavy fire coming from the rearof a boarded up vacant dwelling and declared a working fire. Crews quickly stretched lines and made entry into the
building as truck companies took down boards on the outside. The fire was quickly knocked down and companies rescued a trapped victim from the vacant dwelling.
- Fire News photos by PuckStopperPhotography.com
Chili Mac-and-Cheese Coof Off
Congratulations go out to the members of ShakerRoadLoudonville Fire Department fortheirJudges Choice win at the Colonie Hight School's annual Mac and Chili Cook-Off. The event benefits the ICare Program forthe high school. This year's event included Mac and Cheese as well as Chili. Fire Departments from the town and police department competed to show off theirculinary skills. - Submitted by Lori Washburn; Photos by Truck
Up Close
Captain Robert Cataldli, and Probie Evan McGorman, of Winona Lake Engine Company 2 during a drill with EMTs.
- Fire News photo by Vinnie Dominick
Winona Lake Fundraises at Resort World Casino
Recently, the Winona Lake Engine company went to Resorts World Casino where they were able to set up a fundraising station. The Resorts World Casino presented the chief with a check for$1,000. - Fire News photos by Vincent Dominick
Athen’s Frederick ArthurVan Loan
The members of Athens Fire Department in Greene County held memorial services for Chaplain Frederick Arthur “Fred” Van Loan, who passed away on January 13. 2025. He was 88-years old. Alifelong resident of Athens, and a resident at the FASNYFiremen’s Home in Hudson, Fred’s life was remembered for his service and dedication to his country and neighbors.
Fred served in the U.S. Air Force in 1961. He also served as Chaplain for the Athens Fire Department and Greene County Volunteer Firemen's Association for over 50 years, and was Commander of the Athens Legion Post from 1992 to 1996. He was a Lay Minister for the Federated Church of Athens, where he was a lifetime member, as well as involved in numerous organizations throughout Greene County,
Fred’s leadership extended to organizing Memorial Day parades and services that brought joy to the town he loved. Known for his warm presence, kind nature and camaraderie. Fred will be deeply missed by all who knew him. - Photos provided by John C. Miller
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR NVFC TRAININGSUMMIT
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2025 NVFC Training Summit, taking place June 20-21, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah. This signature conference provides an opportunity for firefighters and EMS providers to participate in valuable classroom training, idea sharing, and networking. Three learning tracks will focus on responder health and safety, volunteer recruitment and retention, and emergency service leadership.
The Summit includes two days of classroom-based breakout sessions with nationally-known instructors, keynote speakers, general sessions, networking events, and a vendor expo. The agenda features a selection of 18 courses relating to critical topics impacting the volunteer emergency services, with a focus on physical and behavioral health, working within NFPAstandards, on-boarding new volunteer responders, best practices for retaining volunteers, and leadership.
The 2025 NVFC Training Summit will be held at the Salt Lake City Marriott City Center. The hotel is in downtown Salt Lake City, just a short walk from tourist attractions, coffee shops, restaurants and a light rail station to take you across the city. The event will kick off with an ice cream social and registration on June 19 and include a networking social event after classes on June 20. Throughout the event, attendees will have the opportunity to visit vendor tables. Sponsorships are available – click here for more information.
About the NVFC
While the Training Summit is a great value, the NVFC recognizes that cost can be a challenge. To remove this barrier and help offset the costs, stipends are available that reimburse up to $800 of conferencerelated expenses, including hotel, airfare/mileage/transportation, and the event registration fee. To be eligible for a stipend, you must be a current member of the NVFC.
Learn more about the 2025 NVFC Training Summit, register, and apply for a stipend at www.nvfc.org/summit. Read about the 2024 Training Summit here. Questions? Contact Rachel Buczynski, NVFC chief of training and education, at rachel@nvfc.org.
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides critical resources, programs, education, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.
