Firemen Rescue Gilboa Couple after Flash Flooding

Update: County officials have put the cost of flood related repairs on South Gilboa Road at over one hundred and twenty thousand dollars if private contractors are utilized before public crews have the ability to do the work themselves. 

Wednesday night's torrential downpours resulted in the flash flooding of South Gilboa Road just off of State Route 30, where rising waters trapped a couple inside of their home. 

The call came into Schoharie County 911 Dispatch at approximately 7:38 P.M. and emergency rescue operations commenced shortly thereafter by the Grand Gorge Fire Department, which covers the Town of Gilboa by contract. 

Grand Gorge Fire Chief DJ Speenburgh was the incident commander, and upon arriving on scene, requested the assistance of several other area fire departments to aid Grand Gorge's rescue operations, which were bogged down by significant standing water. 

However, while crews were en-route from Rensselaer County with air boats, waters receded enough for firemen to reach the residence and safely extract the couple, who were both unhurt and okay.

Cobleskill Fire Department Readies for 150th Anniversary

With events planned all day at the Cobleskill Sunshine Fairgrounds, a parade scheduled to march down Main Street at 10 am, and live music performances by Chicken Herders (5:00 pm-9:00 pm) and Skeeter Creek (9:00 pm-closing), the Cobleskill Fire Department is readying for its 150th anniversary celebration on Saturday, June 14 from 10:00 am until midnight. 

The Cobleskill Fire Department serves approximately nine thousand people in a one hundred and fifty square mile area and its origins, dating back to 1864, pre-date the Village of Cobleskill's incorporation in 1868, making it one of the municipality's oldest public institutions. 

Fire Departments Contain Brush Fire on Route 20, No Burn Law in Effect

                                                                                  Firefighters from the Esperance, Central Bridge, and Delanson volunteer departments responded to a brush fire on Highway Route 20 between the Village of Esperance and the Hamlet of Sloansville on Sunday afternoon. 

The blaze, which fire crews contained, was sparked by nearby residents burning debris. Schoharie County Fire Coordinator Matt Brisley told the Schoharie News afterwards that he wanted to remind local residents that burning brush and debris is, "prohibited in New York State from March 15 to May 15."

Ground conditions are currently very dry with uncleared brush and leaves leftover from last fall offering ample opportunity for fires to spread, as such the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has annually issued a "no burn law" since 2009 to prevent such blazes from occurring. 

Photo submitted by Fire Coordinator Matt Brisley

Charity Basketball Game to Raise Funds for Children with Cancer

The Stamford and Jefferson Fire Departments are working hard to raise money for two local children with cancer. The departments will face off against each other on April 11th at the Stamford High School at 7pm to raise money for Scout Lamport and Bryc Cole. All are invited!

Information from the Schoharie County Fire Wire facebook page.

Stamford's Historic Rexmere Claimed by Flames

After standing for over one hundred and fifteen years, hosting thousands upon thousands of guests at its height, the historic Rexmere Hotel stands no more in Stamford after being engulfed by flames yesterday morning. It took only a couple of hours for the seven story structure to succumb to the fire, despite the gallant efforts of hundreds of firefighters. 

The Watershed Post was on the scene, capturing haunting photographs of the once prized mansion and offering extensive background information about the structure, which was recently put on the market after being utilized for years as administrative offices by BOCES. 

Photo credit: Lissa Harris, Watershed Post

Among the estimated three hundred area firefighters on scene, several companies responded from Schoharie County, but little could be done to save the wooden tinderbox from the destructive flames that brought upon the official end to what was once a thriving network of wooden, majestic 19th century hotels that will never be seen again.

County Fire Fighters Complete Training Course

Members from multiple fire departments from across the County and outside have undergone training. In a post on the Schoharie County Fire Wire Facebook  page, the group successfully completed the NYS Scene Support Operations class. Firefighters from Carlisle, Cobleskill, Esperance, Jefferson, Richmondville, West Fulton and Stamford Heights participated.

Photo credit Schoharie Fire Wire.

Gallupville Fish Fry this Saturday

The Gallupville Fire Department Auxiliary is holding a fundraiser fish fry this Saturday, March 22nd. The event, from 5-7pm is a take-out meal for just $9. All proceeds assist the School House Refurbishment Fund.

Photo Credit: Schoharie Count Fire Wire Facebook Page

Summit Fire Department Spaghetti Dinner March 30th

The Summit Fire Department and Summit Conservation Club are holding a spaghetti dinner on Sunday. March 30th to benefit a local family. The event, that starts at 1pm costs just $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Photo credit: Schoharie County Fire Wire Facebook Page

Charlotteville Fire Department to Host Buffet Dinner March 14th

The Charlotteville Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting a benefit buffet dinner on Friday, March 14th from 5-7:30 p.m. 

Members of the public are invited to attend the community spread, which will feature an exciting Irish themed menu of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, Irish soda break, green bean casserole, and much more.

Cost of admittance ranges from $9.95 for adults, $5.00 for kids 6-12, and no charge for children six and under. For more information, please contact Georgia at 607-397-8054.

Central Bridge Fire Department Joins Facebook

The Central Bridge Fire Department has joined many of the other Fire Departments of the County by joining Facebook. In just several days, their page has attracted hundreds of likes. The site is right here for you to like.

Alleged Arson, Explosions in Knox as Man Has Standoff With Police, Firemen

A Knox man allegedly intentionally set fire to his garage and then blocked access to the area for fire and police personnel. When the first responders arrived to the fire around 10:30pm last night, the man refused to come out and did not turn himself in until 7:00am this morning.

During the fire, propane tanks and ammunition exploded on Saddlemire Road in Knox. He threatened any first responders if they came closer and blocked off access to his property by cutting down trees. He allegedly had a handgun with him during the incident.

NEWS10 ABC: Albany, New York News, Weather, Sports

The man was believed to be armed and dangerous was identified as 49-year old Kenneth Fortuin. He is charged with 3rd degree arson and with blocking fire department operations. He may be charged with more as the investigation continues.

More information from News 6.

Local Fire Departments Train for Ice Rescues

Members of six fire departments and other local agencies were involved in an ice rescue training exercise this past weekend. Members of Middleburgh, Jefferson, Richmondville, Cobleskill, Sharon Springs and Hunterland Fire Departments were on call for the event, as were members of the Sheriff's Department and the Schoharie County Search and Rescue Team.

 Cold-water rescues aren't all that uncommon in the area, Shaw said. Last month, he said, the Middleburgh Fire Department responded to two calls in two weeks that involved cars in water in subzero temperatures. On one of the calls, a firefighter had to go into the water to cut a victim free.  

 In nearby Delaware County, three people died in two separate drowning incidents in late December of 2013, after falling through ice while out walking. 

 More info at the Watershed Post, which published a good article on the subject.

Central Bridge Fire Department Hosts Santa at Community Pancake Breakfast

The Central Bridge Fire Department hosted a successful community pancake breakfast Sunday morning that featured a special guest straight from the North Pole, good 'ole Saint Nicholas, who gave his time this busy holiday season to take pictures with local children in a particularly jolly manner right before Christmas.

Chief Johnson (left) and President Hofmann pose with Santa

Members of the department, who serve as the backbone of the small hamlet located between the Towns of Schoharie and Esperance, came out in full force and volunteered to help during every step of the event from pictures with Santa to serving hungry customers who donated what they could to Central Bridge's finest and everything in between.

In addition to good food and friends, hugs were also available

According to post-event estimates, approximately one hundred and twenty-five people attended the pancake breakfast, which raised four to five hundred dollars for the small community fire department and exceeded that of last year's pre-Christmas event. 



October 27 Country Breakfast at the West Fulton Fire House

The West Fulton Fire Department will be hosting an all you can eat country breakfast on Sunday October 27th, 7-11 am at their fire house. Your menu options will include: pancakes, home fries, scrambled eggs and several more deliciously appealing dishes.

Costs range from just $4.00 for children aged 5-12; $6.00 for seniors 55+, $7.00 for everyone else except for children under 5 who get to eat for free. The event is to benefit the West Fulton Fire Department and all are encouraged to support this good cause.

Middleburgh's Heroes Present to Elementary School

The Middleburgh Fire Department has been the rock of the community for over 125 years now and have been teaching citizenship to the young people of the area. This was on display this week as the volunteers came to the Middleburgh Elementary School. Photos from the FD's Facebook page. They were also assisted by the Tri-Village and Schoharie FDs.

Local Firemen Complete NY State Mutual Aid Resource Management Course

26 local volunteer firemen successfully completed the New York State Mutual Aid Resource Management training course on September 18th and 19th at the Schoharie Fire Station, which was taught by Shawn Brimhall of the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Fire Prevention and Control. 

The course touches on establishing minimum requirements to track resources sent from one county or region to another, such as we have seen in the past couple of years due to two devastating storms and spring flooding, that ensures resources wont be lost under a uniform method of tracking.

Those attending the course from local fire departments: Frank Nestle and Maria Nestle of Canajoharie; Dick Klingbeil, Tim Herzog, Eric Johnson and Dan Rosecrans of Central Bridge; Andrew Tator, Rick Albert, Howard Burt, Ben Righi of Cobleskill; Tim Deffer, Charlie Stanton, Bob Cater and Kyle Smart of Esperance; Amy Wayman of Livingstonville; Adam Buschynski of Middleburgh; Gary Rightmyer of Richmondville; Marty Piece of Schoharie; Stacy Wojciechowski of Sharon Springs and Matt Brisley, Dale Nunamann, Howard Wayman, Rich Cooper, Scott Johnson, Greg Baxter, Aaron Cooper and Peggy Hait of the Schoharie County Fire Coordinator's Office.

Charlotteville FD Truck Approved

In a vote last week the Charlotteville Fire Department will be receiving a new truck. The FD placed an update on their facebook page. By a vote of 65-33 the Department is getting a brush/ water supply truck.

Central Bridge Fire Department Holds July Meeting

The Central Bridge Fire Department held their July meeting last night amid an ominous warning of more flooding for nearby Montgomery County, which has suffered tremendously over the past couple of days from severe flooding, and worries of our own county's potential for even more flash flooding.

 

Approximately three dozen members attended the meeting, where they learned the department raised almost $500 during a mid-June fundraiser held at the firehouse and that Chief Scott Johnson and two other firemen were deployed to Herkimer County over the weekend to aid recovery efforts there.

 

President Travis Hofmann kicked off the meeting by leading the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence honoring their nineteen comrades who perished battling an Arizona wildfire.

 

Members were lively through out the meeting, even during a few serious points where Chief Johnson discussed issues privately addressed to him concerning the department, reminding everyone that they're all in this for the good of their community and not themselves.

 

The Central Bridge Fire Department meets the first Monday of every month and is one of the finest and closet knit departments in the entire county.

Heroes on Display at MFD's 125th Celebration

The Middleburgh Fire Department celebrated 125 years of service to the area with a celebration over a century in the making. With over 350 confirmed guests, the event started with a large parade along Main Street. With representatives from over a dozen fire departments from across the state, it was one of the longest parades in Middleburgh's history.

Meanwhile hundreds of wellwishers lined Main Street to see the floats. Included was local business like Hubie's Pizza and Carver's Stone and candidate for Sheriff Todd Ethington.

Schoharie County Fire Departments Deploy to Herkimer County

 

From the Schoharie County Emergency Services facebook page.

 

In wake of flooding caused by the past two day's substantial rainfall, Schoharie County has deployed six Storm Emergency Fire Units to assist in flood recovery efforts in Herkimer County after the state canvassed personnel and equipment this afternoon.

 

Members of the Cobleskill, Central Bridge, Jefferson and Summit Fire Departments were deployed for as long as 72 hours to aid the Villages of Mohawk and Ilion recover after the second round of localized flash flooding in as many weeks has struck Central New York.

 

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.