Youth Pipeline Development

Operated an emergency warming center and food service facility during a January 2024 power outage, providing warmth, charging stations, showers, meals, and companionship for over 100 people in Onondaga County.

Hosts and participates in recurring community events including annual pancake breakfasts on the fourth Sunday of June, July, and August; holiday events with Santa visits and gift distribution; family-friendly Halloween events; patriotic parades; Field Days; and Push-Ball competitions to foster community involvement and support.

Provides 24/7 emergency response including fire suppression, emergency medical care, and motor vehicle accident response across 17.5 square miles in the town of Spafford and adjoining districts, responding to approximately 160 emergency calls annually. Emergency medical response accounts for about 70% of calls, with fire suppression and motor vehicle accidents making up the remaining 30%.

Provides mutual aid support to neighboring fire districts upon request, including fire suppression, water rescue, and tanker assistance using specialized apparatus such as a 2,500-gallon tanker with a 1,500 gpm pump and custom-built rescue vehicles equipped for diverse terrain and incident types.

Operates the Borodino Grill during winter months, providing made-to-order breakfasts in January and February, and hosts pancake breakfasts during summer months as part of ongoing community engagement and fundraising efforts.

Operates a fleet of specialized vehicles including a 4x4 rescue vehicle for remote EMS and water rescue, a rescue pumper with 1,000 gallons of water and foam capacity, a 2,500-gallon tanker, and a 4x4 mini-pumper with a 1,250 gpm pump for use in wooded and remote areas. Vehicles are equipped with AMKUS "Jaws of Life" tools and supported by an in-house cascade system for rapid SCBA air tank refills.

Provides year-round water rescue services on Otisco and Skaneateles Lakes with specially trained personnel and deploys fire-resistant forestry gear for wildfire response in wooded areas, fields, and farmland within the district.

Offers a fire cadet program that provides youth with age-appropriate, hands-on learning in fire and emergency services, emphasizing personal growth, leadership development, and positive social interactions.

Provides fire protection, emergency medical services, and emergency response to the Van Etten area and surrounding communities.

Restored a historic chemical cart by refurbishing all components, including metal, wood, and finish work, and participated in a traditional fire department "push-in" ceremony to mark its return to service.

Provides downloadable fire safety materials, including guidance on smoke alarm testing, home fire escape planning, lithium-ion battery safety, electric vehicle charging safety, and wildland fire safety for at-risk communities.

Provides an online dashboard that shows potential exposure to wildfire hazards for structures in the wildland-urban interface at the county and community level, enabling targeted risk reduction planning and outreach.

Operates a First Responder Youth Camp where young participants learn emergency response skills from local firefighters and EMS personnel, with scheduled programming in July 2026.

Provides emergency ambulance and medical services to the towns of Dryden, Virgil, and Harford, responding to nearly 3,000 emergency calls annually, including 2,458 ambulance calls in 2025. Services are provided on a weekly basis and include preparedness for extreme weather events in coordination with neighboring volunteer fire departments.

Responds to fire-related emergencies, including 535 fire calls in 2025. Conducts specialized training in chimney fire suppression and hazardous materials response, and played a key role in acquiring and deploying Fire Truck 531, which entered service in September 2019.

Operates a free Junior Fire Academy for children ages 8–16, teaching emergency preparedness skills such as CPR, Stop the Bleed, fire safety, 9-1-1 response, and basic EMS skills through age-specific programming.

Supports the Burn Foundation of Central New York by hosting an annual overnight event for burn survivors and providing meals prepared and served by firefighters at the Dryden Fire station.

Provides training programs for volunteer firefighters, including a 170-hour Firefighter Training Series and leadership workshops focused on responsibility, purpose, and team resilience.