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BEST-LUTHER FIRE DEPARTMENT INC
WEST SAND LAKE, NY · EIN 141587396 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE M24 · Public Safety & Disaster Relief · Micro (<$100K) · bestlutherfire.com
revenue
$96K
expenses
$81K
net assets
$-214K
employees
0
program ratio
100%
mission · from form 990

OPERATE A VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.

profile · synthesized from sources

Best-Luther Fire Department is a volunteer fire and emergency medical services agency serving a rural area in Rensselaer County, New York. It provides fire suppression, EMS response, vehicle extrication, and mutual aid support across a 14-square-mile district. The department operates with approximately 35 active volunteers and responds to about 135 calls annually.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Provides EMS response through Rescue-3 and trained EMTs, handling medical emergencies and patient transport
Fire Prevention and Public Education
Engages in community outreach, fire safety education, and participates in local events and parades
Fire Suppression
Responds to structure fires, brush fires, and vehicle fires using specialized apparatus including Engine 3-1 and Tanker-3
Mutual Aid Response
Provides support to neighboring departments during fires, accidents, and rescue operations across Rensselaer County
Vehicle Extrication
Uses specialized battery-operated cutters and hydraulic tools to rescue individuals from motor vehicle accidents
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • Emergency Response Vehicle Operations 1 activity
    • Maintains and deploys specialized emergency response vehicles
      Operates a fleet of 9 active emergency vehicles including engines, a heavy rescue truck, a 3000-gallon tanker, an ATV for rough terrain, utility vehicles, and chief vehicles. Specific apparatus include a 2008 International E-One brush truck, a 2000 Pierce Freightliner with 1000-gallon tank, a 2021 Freightliner tanker, and a 1988 Chevy C70 heavy rescue vehicle equipped for extrication and EMS support.
  • Youth Firefighter Training Programs 1 activity
    • Manages volunteer membership and training programs
      Maintains approximately 35 volunteer members across three categories: Active Firefighter, Associate Member, and Junior Firefighter. Offers training and drill participation for junior members aged 14–15 with parental permission and inducts new active members regularly.
  • Volunteer Fire Department Services 1 activity
    • Operates volunteer fire department with emergency response services
      Responds to an average of 135 emergency calls annually, including structure fires, EMS emergencies, traffic accidents, downed power lines, gas odors, and vehicle fires. Provides mutual aid to neighboring departments and maintains formal governance through elected commissioners since transitioning to a full fire district in 2021.
  • Fire Service History Preservation 1 activity
    • Preserves historical fire apparatus
      Maintains a 1969 Ward LaFrance/Dodge fire engine, formerly designated 3-1, in operational condition as part of the department's historical collection.
  • Community Space Provision 1 activity
    • Provides community facility rentals
      Offers hall rentals for community use, accommodating 60 to 75 guests, with a 4-hour rental rate of $300 and a $100 refundable security deposit.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$96K
Contributions & grants$20K20%
Program service revenue$64K67%
Investment income$270%
Other revenue$12K
expenses
Total expenses$81K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$67K
Cash$67K
Investments$0
Liabilities$282K
Net assets$-214K
Liquid reserves10.0 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +8.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 8
  • BAILY VOORIS — VICE PRESIDE
  • CHUCK MILKIEWICZ — CHIEF
  • DAVE KETTLEWOOD — SECRETARY
  • ERIC BONACQUISTI — CHAIRMAN
  • JIM WELSH — SECRETARY
  • KATHY HINDES — TREASURER
  • LORRAINE SHEFFER — VICE CHAIR
  • SAMANTHA MILKIEWICZ — PRESIDENT
relationships · 31

Who they work with

  • Berlin Volunteer Fire Company Partner — Link to surrounding fire department for coordination or reference
  • Bruen Rescues Partner — Sold a used MCI-62 ambulance to Best-Luther, which was converted into Rescue-3.
  • Brunswick Fire Company #1 Partner — Link to surrounding fire department for coordination or reference
  • Center Brunswick Fire Company Partner — Link to surrounding fire department for coordination or reference
  • Central Heights Fire Department Partner — Receives mutual aid from Best-Luther Fire Department for brush fires.
  • Cherry Hill Fire Department Partner — Receives mutual aid from Best-Luther Fire Department for structure fires.
  • Clinton Heights Fire Company Partner — Sold a 1935 Dodge fire truck to Best-Luther in 1947.
  • Clinton Heights Fire Department Partner — Link to surrounding fire department for coordination or reference
  • Defreestville Fire Department Partner — Link to surrounding fire department for coordination or reference
  • Eagle Mills Fire Department Partner — Link to surrounding fire department for coordination or reference
  • East Greenbush Fire Department Partner — Link to surrounding fire department for coordination or reference
  • East Springfield Fire Department Partner — Receives mutual aid from Best-Luther Fire Department for structure fires and other emergencies.
  • Elm Grove Fire Department Partner — Receives mutual aid from Best-Luther Fire Department for search and rescue operations.
  • Facebook Partner — Uses Facebook for updates, photos, and event sharing
  • Glander Family Partner — Helps maintain the department's former engine 3-1 in operational condition.
  • Hoags Corners Fire Department Partner — Link to surrounding fire department for coordination or reference
  • Instagram Partner — Uses Instagram for updates, photos, and event sharing
  • NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control Government — Link to state fire regulatory and support agency
  • Nassau Fire Department Partner — Link to surrounding fire department for coordination or reference
  • New York State Troopers Partner — Link to state law enforcement agency for coordination or reference
  • North Greenbush Police Partner — Link to local police department for coordination or reference
  • Rensselaer County Fire Chiefs Association Coalition — Link to county-level fire service coordination and training association
  • Ring Hose Company Partner — Lent a fire truck to Best-Luther after the 1949 fire destroyed their equipment.
  • River Falls Fire Department Partner — Receives mutual aid from Best-Luther Fire Department for structure fires.
  • Sand Lake Ambulance Partner — Link to local EMS provider for coordination or reference
  • Schodack Police Partner — Link to local police department for coordination or reference
  • Schodack Valley Fire Company Partner — Link to surrounding fire department for coordination or reference
  • W.F. Bruen Rescue Squad Partner — Link to local rescue squad for coordination or reference
  • West Sand Lake Fire Department Partner — Link to surrounding fire department for coordination or reference
  • West Springfield Lake Fire Department Partner — Receives mutual aid from Best-Luther Fire Department for fire alarms and traffic accidents.
+ 1 more
strategies · 5

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.

  • Adaptive Localized Response Infrastructure
    methodology: water_shuttle_operations, all-terrain_access
    By employing water shuttle operations and four-wheel-drive apparatus, the department ensures effective fire response in rural areas without hydrants or accessible roads, because tailored logistics overcome geographic and infrastructure limitations.
  • Community-Integrated Volunteer Recruitment
    methodology: community-engagement-through-accessible-training
    By providing free gear, training, and scholarship access, the department increases volunteer recruitment and retention, because lowering barriers to entry fosters broader community participation in emergency services.
  • Locally-Developed Rapid Response Systems
    methodology: rapid-response_alert_system, in-house_apparatus_construction
    By designing and implementing an in-house radio alarm system and constructing custom apparatus when commercial options are unaffordable, the department reduces response times and maintains readiness, because localized innovation ensures operational resilience in under-resourced environments.
  • Mutual Aid and Regional Coordination
    methodology: mutual_aid_response
    By participating in mutual aid responses and supporting helicopter operations, the department enhances regional emergency capacity, because shared resources and coordinated tactics improve outcomes during complex incidents.
  • Volunteer-Based Operational Model
    methodology: volunteer_based_emergency_response
    By relying on an all-volunteer staffing model, the department delivers fire and EMS services to a rural community, because removing paid staffing requirements enables sustainable emergency response in resource-limited settings.