FDNY units from across the city battled a stubborn, smoky four-alarm fire in St. Albans, Queens.
See story on page 6
Interstate 890 Car Fire
South Schenectady firefighters responded to a fully involved vehicle fire.
See story on page 14
Burning Food Causes Smoke Condition
Schenectady firefighters responded to a call of a structure fire on Union Street.
See story on page 24
NY DOH Honors Fallen Providers at EMS Memorial Ceremony
Department recognizes bravery of 5 EMS Providers.
See story on page 26
Laurelton All-Hands
FDNY companies in the Laurelton section of Queens operated at an all-hands assignment.
See story on page 29
FDNY Medal Day
The FDNY Medal Day ceremony was held June 4, 2025, at City Hall in Manhattan.
See story on page 39
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. page 40 Obit: Rensselaer Fall’s Claude A. Palmer . page 42
Seagrave Special Back to its Home
During the Sand Lake Memorial Day Parade, Averill Park Fire Department debuted the return of their 1927 Seagrave Special Pumper. The pumper was originally purchased new in 1927 by Averill Park - Sand Lake Fire Department. and was placed in-service from 1927 until the late 1960s. The pumper was then sold to the Middleburg Fire Department who completed a major restoration of the truck. Middleburgh owned it from circa 1970 to 2018. The pumper was then held in private ownership from 2018 to 2024 until returning home with the Averill Park Fire Department. This piece of Averill Park-Sand Lake Fire Department living history was purchased and is maintained through donations to the department. Approximately 120 Seagrave Special Model trucks were produced between 1926 and 1935. Only 13 are known to still be in existence. It is the first modern-day motorized fire engine purchased by the Averill Park-Sand Lake Fire Department and replaced the need for hand- and horse-drawn fire equipment. It combines hoses, ladders, and pumps on a single motorized chassis. It has a Continental Seagrave Special six-cylinder engine, three-speed manual transmission, 600-gpm pump /75-gal tank.
- Submitted by Lori Washburn; Photos by Truck
Bedroom Fire in Brooklyn
Engine Company 321 and Tower Ladder 159 transmitted a 10-75 for fire in the second-floor rear of a structure on East 37th Street in Brooklyn on May 15, 2025. Units had fire in a bedroom on the second floor of the two-story dwelling. Units used a hoseline to knock down the main body of fire. Searches throughout the dwelling were negative. – Fire News photo by Lloyd Mitchell
St. Albans 4-Alarmer
FDNY units from across the city battled a stubborn, smoky fouralarm fire in a St. Albans, Queens, mixed-occupancy on June 22, 2025. Companies encountered heavy fire and smoke conditions on arrival at the corner building on Linden Boulevard and 200th
Street. A combination of handlines and a tower ladders were employed to extinguish the blaze. – Fire News photos by FirstOnScenePhotos.com
Was There Anything It Missed?
On June 09, 2025, at around 1730 hours, Bowmansville firefighters were dispatched to Transit Road in Lancaster for an MVA with entrapment. On arrival, Bowmansville 9 updated Lancaster Fire Control that it was an SUV on its side in a parking lot, involving several vehicles and a telephone pole. There was a sole occupant in the vehicle who self-extricated and was taken to the hospital by
LVAC with non-life-threatening injuries. The vehicle jumped the curb, sheared off a tree, shattered the Hospitality Motel’s windows continued northbound on the lawn and hit a vehicle in the Anchor parking lot, pushing it 30 feet into another vehicle before getting snagged on a guy wire for a telephone pole and resting on its side.
– Fire News photos by Lepard Digital Imaging
HVAC Malfunction at Latham Dick’s
On June 7, 2025, Dick’s Sporting Goods in Latham was evacuated as smoke filled the store. While employees and customers waited in the rain, Latham, Boght and Verdoy fire departments responded and quickly climbed to the roof. The smoke came from an electrical problem in the HVAC system on the roof. - Submitted by Lori Washburn; Photos by Truck
Cover Story
Arson Labeled as Cause for Car Fires
Schenectady firefighters responded to a call of several vehicles on fire in a repair shop parking lot at State and Elm streets shortly after 0130 hours on May 5, 2025. Upon arrival, two vehicles were well involved and threatening a structure and other vehicles. The fire was quickly brought under control with damage contained to the vehicles in question. A local man was charged with arson about a month later. – Fire News photos by Peter R. Barber
Interstate 890 Car Fire
On May 28, 2025, South Schenectady firefighters responded to a fully involved vehicle fire in the eastbound lane of Interstate 890 in Rotterdam. The car had pulled onto the shoulder of the road at the Campbell Avenue exit when the operator noticed smoke and got out
of the car before it erupted in flames. The fire was quickly extinguished and Schonowe volunteers assisted at the scene.
- Fire News photos by Peter R. Barber
3-Alarm Fire in Bedford-Stuyvesant
On June 4,2025, FDNY Engine Company 214 and Tower Ladder 111 responded to a fire on Lafayette Avenue. They quickly encountered heavy fire on the first, second and third floors with multiple
exposure issues. Units used five hoselines and three tower ladders to knock down the main body of fire. The fire went to three alarms.
– Fire News photos by Lloyd Mitchell
Condo Fire Threatens Neighboring Structures
Volunteer firefighters from several Saratoga County fire departments responded to a reported fire in a condominium on Victory Way on June 3, 2025. Upon arrival, units reported a single unit with heavy fire on the second floor of the complex. The fire quickly spread along the roof line of the building threatening several other apartments. After a little over an hour the fire was brought under
Up Close and Personal
Rescue Battalion Chief Joseph Downey and Special Operations Chief Malcolm Moore at the scene of a three-alarm fire on Lafayette Street in Brooklyn on June 4, 2025. - Fire News photo by Joseph C. Sperber
Chatham’s Laspada Gets Fire Educator of the Year Award
At a reception on June 17, 2025, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York presented Chatham Firefighter Maryann Laspada with the FASNY Fire Safety Educator of the Year award, chosen from among all the entries across New York State. The award ceremony was attended by more than 80 friends, neighbors, firefighters and well-wishers. For more than two decades, Firefighter Laspada has been a cornerstone of fire safety education in Chatham. Her work goes beyond presentations — she creates meaningful, lasting experiences that teach students not just about fire safety, but also about responsibility, teamwork and the value of community service, all of which contributed to her receiving this well-deserved award. In addition to a trophy from FASNY, she also received recognition from local state Assembly and Senate members. Left to right: Barbara Fisher, FASNY; Ken Holmes, FASNY Second VP; John Kolb, FASNY Fire Prevention and Life Safety Committee; Maryann Laspada with trophy; Bob Schrader, FASNY; Eric Barnes, Chatham Fire Chief; John Howe, Village of Chatham Mayor. - Submitted by David Levow
From a Chaplain’s View
I would like to begin by thanking the Fire Service Family. As you know, in the fire service, we are part of a huge family. There’s a saying I’ve found and truly believe: “Behind every strong firefighter there’s an even stronger family who stands by them – supports them, and loves them with all their heart!”
I truly believe this, as shown by the support of my family for the last 50-plus years. My wife who supports me, and my daughters, who understood the missed birthday parties, school activities, Christmases, and other holidays and family functions.
To all my extended Fire Service Family members, I’d like to offer this prayer: “Our heavenly Father, we offer our grateful thanks this day for our families, our spouses, our children, our significant others, and our parents, without whose support we could not function very well as members of our EMS and Fire departments. We ask your protection for them. Finally, Oh God, when the time of danger passes, may we be united in safety with them. We pray through our Lord. Amen.”
Be safe ... and thank you again Family Members!
– Chief Chaplain Richard Bolster; NYS Association of Fire Chiefs
Brooklyn 3rd Alarm
The FDNY responded to a fire on Lafayette Avenue in the BedfordStuyvesant section of Brooklyn on June 4, 2025, at 1345 hours. A third alarm was transmitted for a fire in a three-story frame building which extended to several exposures. Units operated on scene for several hours to bring the blaze under control.
- Fire News photo by Joseph C. Sperber
5 Vehicle MVA Shuts Down State Street
On June 5, 2025, Schenectady firefighters responded to a call for a rollover MVA on State Street Division and Elm. Upon arrival, more apparatus were requested for occupants pinned and five vehicles involved with one on its roof. Several motorists were taken by ambulance to Albany Medical Center for treatment.
– Fire News photo by Peter R. Barber
Far Rockaway Taxpayer Fire
FDNY companies in the Far Rockaway section of Queens operated at a two-alarm fire in a row of taxpayers on Beach Channel Drive early on June 8, 2025. Heavy smoke was pushing from the roll-down gates on arrival and the fire was promptly located in an occupancy
serving as a pharmacy with some extension to the adjacent stores. The incident was brought under control within 40 minutes. – Fire News photos by FirstOnScenePhotos.com
Worker Dies After Extrication in Brooklyn
FDNY Engine Company 309 and Tower Ladder 159 transmitted a 10-60 for a major emergency on June 5, 2025. They started the extraction of a construction worker trapped in a basement under a slab of concrete and a refrigerator. Rescue Company 2 and Squad
Company 252 used their airbags to lift the debris and get the victim out. Paramedics transported the victim to Brookdale Hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later. – Fire News photos by Lloyd Mitchell
Brooklyn 2-Alarmer
Engine Company 236, Tower Ladder 107 and Battalion 39 responded to a house fire on Chestnut Street in Brooklyn on June 12, 2025. Units had heavy fire on the second floor with fire extending into the exposure. A second alarm was transmitted. Units used four hoselines to knock down the main body of fire. – Fire News photo by Lloyd Mitchell
Amsterdam Kitchen Fire
The Amsterdam Fire Department was dispatched to a stove fire on Virginia Lane at 1700 hours on June 3, 2025. En route, the fire was upgraded to a kitchen fire. After arriving, command called for additional units. – Fire News photo by Mark Perfetti
Burned Food Causes Smoke Condition
On June 11, 2025, Schenectady firefighters responded to a call of a structure fire on Union Street with multiple calls of flames visible. Upon arrival, Engine 4 reported smoke in the street and a second alarm was transmitted. As firefighters began stretching lines, occu-
pants on upper floors began climbing onto window sills. A call for food on the stove was quickly signaled and ejector fans were ordered to ventilate the structure.
– Fire News photo by Peter R. Barber
1ST ANNUAL NEW JERSEY 9/11 MEMORIAL STAIR CLIMB: HONORING AND SUPPORTING HEROES IN SUPPORT OF THE NFFF
The New Jersey community is coming together to honor the brave heroes of September 11, 2001, with the inaugural New Jersey 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. This heartfelt event will take place on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the iconic MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Participants and observers alike are invited to join in this unique tribute, with all proceeds benefiting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF).
The NFFF’s mission is to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes, to provide resources to assist their survivors in rebuilding their lives, and work within the Fire Service Community to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries.
The stair climb is more than just a physical challenge; it is a
moving remembrance of those who selflessly served on that fateful day. Participants will ascend the equivalent of 110 stories, symbolizing the height of the World Trade Center, while paying homage to the firefighters and first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice.
David Russell, President and Principal of Fire & Safety Services, expressed the significance of this event, stating, “The 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb is a powerful reminder of the courage and commitment of our firefighters and first responders. It’s our duty to honor their legacy, and through this event, we not only remember them but also support the families left behind.” Together, we can ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten.
NY DOH Honors Fallen Emergency Medical Providers at EMS Memorial Ceremony
Department Recognizes Bravery of Five EMS Providers Who Died While Serving and Protecting New Yorkers
“Today we mourn the passing of these brave individuals who put the lives of others before their own,” New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “Through their dedication to protecting the health and safety of their communities, countless lives have been saved. Today, as we add the names of these five first responders to the memorial tree, we reaffirm their selfless acts of courage are never forgotten.”
2025 EMS Memorial Honorees:
Lieutenant Anthony S. Cozzino - Dedicated his career to serving the people of New York City, working in all five boroughs throughout is career with the Fire Department of New York City.
Captain Robert R. DeLeon, Jr. – Captain DeLeon committed 36 years to the Fire Department of New York City, with a significant portion of his career spent serving the people of the Bronx.
Chief Mark Steffens – Dedicated and respected member of the Emergency Medical Service for the Fire Department of New York City.
EMT Christopher Swierkowski – Emergency Medical Technician Christopher Swierkowski was an extraordinary EMS provider who dedicated 24 years to the Fire Department of the City of New York.
AEMT Stephen J Walsh – Stephen Walsh was an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician with Clausson Raught Community Rescue Squad in Copake, New York.
New York State Department of Health, Division of State Emergency Medical Services Director Ryan Greenberg said, “We gather as an EMS community today to honor the five courageous EMS heroes and support their families as their names are added to the EMS Tree of Life. The New York State EMS Memorial stands as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by our fallen heroes and the countless lives of patients they served.”
The names of these five heroes who died as a result of injury or illness in the line of duty join the 125 other heroes etched into the New York State EMS Memorial.
America’s Oldest Fire Boat
Buffalo’s Edward M. Cotter
The Edward M. Cotter, is the world’s oldest working fireboat, and a vital part of the Buffalo Fire Department today, just as it was when it went into service on November 15, 1900, and was one of three fireboats in Buffalo’s fleet.
Due to growth in the waterfront area, the city installing a high-pressure hydrant system in the area and the toll that Buffalo winters were taking on its first two fireboats, the need for a fireboat that could help alleviate these problems was addressed by the decision to purchase another fireboat to be named the William S. Grattan in honor of the first paid Commissioner of the Buffalo Fire Department.
The keel was laid on March 24, 1900, and the cost for construction was $91,000 because of the use of a special 1-½ inch Swedish steel that would allow the ship to also be used as an icebreaker. At the time, she had two coal-fired boilers, three turrets and could pump 9000-gallons per minute.
On July 28, 1928, the Grattan responded to a fire at Standard Oil’s Atlas Oil refinery at the foot of Babcock Street on the Buffalo River.
The oil barge Cahill, filled with 5000 barrels of crude oil was aflame. Burning for 17 hours the barge broke free of its mooring lines. The Grattan attempted to attach tow lines but, before they could, the barge struck a dock and
the empty oil tanker McColl. The resulting explosion trapped the Grattan and the crew had to abandon her and swim to shore. Chief Engineer Thomas Lynch lost his life and several crew members were injured. The unattended boilers on the Grattan soon ran dry and exploded, leaving the ship a burnt out hull.
After 18 months of debate, it was decided to rebuild the Grattan in 1930. Her boilers were converted from coal to oil, engines rebuilt, foam capability added and the the pilot house raised to the upper deck along with other modernizations.
The next major overhaul came in 1952 when she was sent to refit her boilers and received four 475-horsepower, Caterpillar D397 diesel engines increasing her pumping capacity to 15,000 gallons per minute/.Upon her return to Buffalo in 1953 she was re-named Firefighter
A year later she was renamed the Edward M. Cotter to honor a past President of the local Firefighters Union. The Cotter served as Buffalo’s only fire boat and icebreaker.
On October 7, 1960, the Buffalo Fire Department received a call for help from Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada, for help with a mill fire raging out of control. With assistance from the US Coast Guard (the Cotter had no naviga-
tional equipment) the boat crossed Lake Erie and within four hours brought the fire under control.
In March 1992, the Cotter was phased out of firefighting and turned over to Public Works to continue its duty as an icebreaker. During this period an effort, led by retired Fireboat Pilot Sam Guadagna, was made to have the ship designated as a National Historic Landmark.
As the Cotter nears her 125th year of service she is still operating as a fireboat and an icebreaker but is starting to show her age. The Fire Boat E. M. Cotter Conservancy, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit corporation, was formed in 2016 by several groups with an interest in, not only the fire department, but also preserving the Cotter’s history.
So far, through the sales of merchandise such as hats, shirts, various other items and donations the conservancy has been able to donate over $20,000 to the upkeep of the Cotter
We hope that through these efforts we will be able to preserve and continue the the Cotter’s longevity as a fireboat and icebreaker for many years to come.
- Ron Endle, Treasurer Fireboat E.M. Cotter Conservancy, Inc.
South Jamaica Ceiling Fire Snuffed
FDNY responded to a small fire in the ceiling of a private dwelling on 133rd Avenue near 146th Street in South Jamaica on June 7, 2025. The fire was quickly extinguished.
Laurelton All-Hands
FDNY companies in the Laurelton section of Queens operated at an all-hands assignment in the basement of a private dwelling on 227th Street on June 10, 2025.
Rensselaer Falls Celebrates 100 Years
Rensselaer Falls Fire and Rescue held a celebration on June 14, 2025, celebrating 100 years as a department. A parade was held with various neighboring departments joining in. There were also proclamations made to honor not only the department’s 100 years, but also to honor Robert Poor for his 70 years of service to the department. These were presented by New York State Representative Scott Gray and a representative from the office of New York State Senator Dan Stec. A check presentation from Heidi Smith, organizer of the Rensselaer Falls Fire Department’s Color Run, to the Department for $6000 from this year’s event – Fire News photos by Troy Parla; Rensselaer Falls FD
Rensselaer Falls Celebrates 100 Years
Hudson Valley Parade
Over 100 fire departments traveled to Lake George to participate in the 136th annual Hudson Valley Volunteer Fireman’s Association Dress Parade, which concludes the week-long convention. Hundreds of firefighters and apparatus traveled hundreds of miles to participate in the parade to be judged and win trophies. – Fire News story by Lori Washburn; Photos By Truck
Ballston Spa Memorial Day Parade
Ballston Spa held its annual Memorial Day Parade and hundreds of people lined the road as they watched local fire departments show off their polished engines and trucks. This year the parade was honored to have the Submarine Class from the Kesselring Training
Facility participate and their commander delivered the keynote speech during the Memorial Day Ceremony that followed the parade.
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Submitted by Lori Washburn; Photos by Truck
Christmas in June Parade
The Village of Lake George was filled with the fun and laughter as the Hudson Valley Volunteer Fire Association held its 136th Annual Mardi Gras Parade. The theme this year was Christmas in June. Fire departments decked out their engines and floats with everything Christmas. It was a hilarious and fun way to help end the week-long convention.
- Submitted by Lori Washburn; Photos by Truck
Multiple Alarm Fire in Brooklyn
Engine Company 332 and Ladder Company 175 transmitted a 1075 for fire on the second floor of a Jerome Street, Brooklyn, structure on May 18, 2025. Members used four hoselines to knock down
the main body of fire after the fire extended to a neighboring structure. Searches throughout the building were negative. –
Fire News photo by Lloyd Mitchell
NVFC Elects Officers and Presents Five Awards at Spring Conference
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Board of Directors met on May 8-10 in Alexandria, VA, for its annual spring conference.
The board is comprised of up to two representatives from 48 state fire associations and meets as a whole twice a year to conduct business, hold committee meetings, and steer the direction of the organization.
Sixty-five directors from 43 state associations were in attendance. The jam-packed event featured officer and Executive Committee elections, a strategic planning session, and an awards banquet.
NVFC Elections
Elections were held to select the NVFC's officers and Executive Committee members for the 2025-2027 term. The results are as follows: Chair: Steve Hirsch (KS); First Vice Chair: Dallas Renfrew (TX); Second Vice Chair: Reid Vaughan (AL); Secretary/Treasurer: Bob Guthrie (CT); Executive Committee: Quentin Cash (NC), Steve McClintock (NV), Brian McQueen (NY), Sheri Nickel (OK), Bill Offerman (IL), Pat Thompson (KY, chair of the Legislative Committee); Eric Quinney (WY, chair of the EMS/Rescue Section.)
The NVFC EMS/Rescue Section also held elections, with the following results:
Chair: Eric Quinney (WY); Vice Chair: Jules Scadden (IA); Secretary/Treasurer: T.J. Nedrow (WA); Directors-at-Large: Brian Foley (NJ), Brian Moon (SC), Ed Mund (WA), Curtis Shirley (AL), Marv Trimble (IA); NVFC Board Representative: Ken Brown (VA). Health, Safety and Training Committee Meeting
Awards Celebration
On May 9, the board gathered to celebrate and honor the recipients of the NVFC's 2025 achievements awards: David Denniston, William J. Darley Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Darley; Jeremy Sonenschein, Chief James P. Seavey, Sr., Health & Wellness Leadership Award, co-sponsored by VFIS and Ward Diesel Filter Systems; Jiya Jadhav, Junior Firefighter of the Year Award, sponsored by California Casualty; West Virginia University Fire Service Extension Junior Firefighter Camp, Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award, sponsored by California Casualty; and Brian McQueen, E. James Monihan Director Award, sponsored by Provident. - Fire News photos by Tim Edwards
West Sand Lake Bed Construction
On June 21, 2025, West Sand Lake Fire Department joined with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to help build 20 beds for local children who would otherwise be sleeping on the floor. The air was filled with sawdust and the sound of sanders as the members sanded wood beams, screwed the pieces together and branded the beds that are shared throughout the Capital Region.
- Submitted by Lori Washburn; Photos by Truck
New Home for Florida VFD
The Town of Florida in Montgomery County celebrated the opening of their new firehouse recently. – Fire News photos by Mark Perfetti
FDNY Medal Day
The FDNY Medal Day ceremony was held June 4, 2025, at City Hall in Manhattan. Medals of the departments were awarded to members who acted above and beyond in EMS and fire services during the year 2024.
- Fire News photos by Joseph C. Sperber and Lloyd Mitchell
100th Anniversary for Hagaman VFD
Hagaman Volunteer Fire Department (Montgomery County) celebrated 100 years of service on June 7, 2025. – Fire News photos by Mark Perfetti
Queens Village House Fire
FDNY units in the Queens Village section of Queens battled a fire on the second floor of a private dwelling on 210th Place near 94th Avenue on April 25, 2025. One civilian was reported injured. – Fire News photo by FirstOnScenePhotos.com
All-Hands Call in Brooklyn
Engine Company 257 and Tower Ladder 170 transmitted a 10-75 for a fire on the first floor of a Glenwood Road New York City Housing Authority building on May 23, 2025. Some 12 units deployed 60 firefighters, using two hoselines to knock down the main body of fire. Searches throughout the building were negative. - Fire News photo by Lloyd Mitchell
Rensselaer Falls’ Claude A. Palmer
Claude A. Palmer, age 81, of Rensselaer Falls, passed away peacefully at his home on March 9, 2025.
Claude was born on January 1, 1944, in Ogdensburg, a son of the late Simeon and Sara (Rayburn) Palmer. He graduated from Canton High School and later married Janet D. Richer on August 14, 1976.
Claude had a distinguished career as the grounds supervisor at SUNY Canton, where he worked for over 35 years before retiring in 1998. He was a devoted member of the Rensselaer Falls Fire Department for 63 years and a long-time Mason.
Claude’s family was always at the heart of his life. He cherished time spent with his grandchildren, Melissa (Caleb) VanBrunt, Robert (Paige) Galpin, and Alisa (Johnathan) Stone; his great-grandchildren, Cayden and Grayson VanBrunt, and Preston and Anna Galpin. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Nettie Palmer, Connie Palmer, and Gail Palmer all of Rensselaer Falls.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Janet Palmer, his four brothers, Harold, Charles, Lynn, and Simeon ‘Al’ Palmer, as well as step-sons Michael and Marc Galpin, step-daughter Kimberly Galpin, and grandson Tyler Galpin.
Claude enjoyed traveling, collecting antiques, and spending quality time with his friends and family.
Claude will be remembered for his generosity, kindness and dedication to his family and community. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Rensselaer Falls Fire Department, P.O. Box 186, Rensselaer Falls, NY 13680. – Submitted by Troy Parla
