named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Emergency Medical Services
Provides EMS response with certified first responders using a dedicated EMS/utility vehicle equipped with AED and medical gear
Fire Protection
Responds to structural and wildland fires with pumpers and brush trucks; participates in mutual aid task forces with nearby departments
Rescue Operations
Equipped with extrication tools, airbags, thermal imaging, and portable ponds for vehicle extrication, downed firefighter drills, and technical rescues
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Volunteer Fire Department Services 2 activities
- Conducts training drills for emergency preparednessConducts regular training drills including downed firefighter rescue, driver training and pump operations, smoke-filled environment simulations, and ice rescue scenarios to maintain operational readiness.
- Provides fire protection and emergency response servicesProvides fire protection services to the eastern portion of the town of Chatham and the western portion of the town of Canaan, responding to 123 emergency calls in 2024 and 148 in 2023. Responds to structure-related emergencies using a task force with neighboring fire companies.
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Emergency Ambulance & Medical Response 1 activity
- Delivers emergency medical servicesResponds to emergency medical calls in coordination with local rescue squads staffed with certified first responders, utilizing dedicated EMS vehicles equipped with AEDs and other emergency gear.
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Community Space Provision 1 activity
- Offers community hall rentalOffers fire company hall for rental to support community use.
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Emergency Response Vehicle Operations 1 activity
- Operates and maintains firefighting and rescue apparatusOperates multiple fire and rescue vehicles including a 2015 Freightliner Rosenbaur fire engine, a 2006 Rosenbaur Rescue Pumper, a 1980 Chevy pumper, a 1968 Jeep 4x4 brush truck, and a 2012 Swabwagon EMS/utility vehicle, all equipped with specialized firefighting, pumping, and rescue tools.
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Mutual Aid Emergency Response 1 activity
- Provides and receives mutual aid for emergency responseProvides and receives mutual aid assistance with other fire departments to support emergency response operations across jurisdictional boundaries.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$180K
Contributions & grants$175K97%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$5K3%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$95K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$597K
Cash$435K
Investments$0
Liabilities$157K
Net assets$440K
Liquid reserves54.9 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +4.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 5
- ALAN BESTERMAN — PRESIDENT
- DORIS GEARING — DIRECTOR
- ROBERT RUGEN — DIRECTOR
- VICTORIA BESTERMAN — SECRETARY
- WAYNE GEARING — TREASURER
relationships · 17
Who they work with
- Austerlitz Fire Company Partner — Linked as a related fire department in the region
- Canaan Fire Department Partner — Collaborates with ECFC in mutual aid and joint task force responses to structure fires.
- Chatham Fire Company Partner — Linked as a related fire department in the region
- Chatham Rescue Partner — Linked as a related emergency services organization
- Columbia County Government — Dispatches emergency calls to the organization via the county 910 system.
- Columbia County Government — Linked as the county government authority
- Columbia County EMS Coordinator Partner — Linked as a coordinating body for emergency medical services
- Columbia County Fire Coordinator Partner — Linked as a coordinating body for fire services in the county
- Columbia County NY Government — Receives support requests or communications via county email; operates within Columbia County emergency response framework.
- Facebook Network — Has a Facebook presence to engage with the community
- Local Rescue Squads Partner — Responds jointly with ECFC to emergency medical calls, providing certified first responders.
- New Lebanon Fire Department Partner — Participates in joint task force operations with ECFC for structure fire responses.
- North Chatham Fire Department Partner — Linked as a related fire department in the region
- Red Rock Fire Department Partner — Part of the task force with ECFC for responding to structure-related emergencies.
- Spencertown Fire Company Partner — Linked as a related fire department in the region
- Town of Canaan Government — Linked as a municipal government entity in the region
- Town of Chatham Government — Linked as a municipal government entity in the region
strategies · 2
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Integrated Emergency Response Systemmethodology: integrated_public_safety_responseBy integrating with countywide 911 dispatch and neighboring emergency units, the fire company ensures faster, coordinated responses to emergencies because centralized coordination reduces response times and improves resource alignment during incidents.
- Proactive Fire Prevention through Community Educationmethodology: fire_prevention_through_maintenanceBy promoting regular chimney and flue maintenance through community outreach, the organization reduces the incidence of preventable fires because public awareness and action lower fire risks before they occur.