The Brunswick Fire Company No. 1, Inc. is one of five fire departments serving the Town of Brunswick.  We currently respond to over 500 calls per year, ranking us the 3rd busiest of Rensselaer County's 40 fire departments.  The Town of Brunswick is located in upstate NY, Rensselaer County and borders the City Of Troy, a major part of the Capital District area comprising of the cities of Albany, Troy, and Schenectady.  Our fire protection district comprises a majority of Brunswick's residential and commercial properties.  We are located on Hoosick Road also known as NY Route 7, a heavily traveled main thorofare that connects the Capital District and vacationers from as far New Jersey to Vermont and it's popular skiing destinations during the winter months.  NY Route 7 is historically noted for attracting thousands of travelers in the early fall season for great views of fall foliage. 




HALL RENTAL NEWS - The Brunswick Fire Company No. 1 no longer rents our Hall to the public.  We refer anyone who needs to rent a Hall to contact the Center Brunswick Fire Company or the Town of Brunswick for the Brunswick Community Center on Keyes Lane. 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) has banned the burning of brush and have cancelled any issued burn permits for such activity between March 15 and May 15. Any questions or comments can be directed to NYS DEC at (518) 897-1300.

Anyone with questions for DEC / ENCON DISPATCH on burning regulations may call toll free 1-877-457-5680.
 
Anyone wishing to report an illegal open burn or file a complaint directly with DEC may call DEC’s Tip Line at 1-800-TIPP DEC (1-800-847-7332).
 
TO REPORT A CONTROLLED BURN;
Contact the Rensselaer County 911 Center at 270-5252.  The dispatcher will inquire basic information such as the address of where the burn is occurring, the name and phone number of the caller and how long you intend to burn for.  YOU MUST CALL BACK AND INFORM DISPATCH THE BURN IS COMPLETE!
 
When having a controlled burn, BE SAFE, use caution and refrain from burning on windy days or following several days of dry weather, always have a water source such as a garden hose nearby, and NEVER BURN NEAR ANY STRUCTURES or VEHICLES!
 

Join Brunswick No.1 for an Open House, Saturday, April 27th from 12:00pm - 3:00pm.  This program is FASNY’s annual recruitment-based open house event that coincides with National Volunteer Week and unites departments from every corner of the state with the sole mission of bringing in new recruits.  Members of the fire company will be available to answer any questions, demonstrate the tools we use and tour the apparatus and firehouse. 

Don't live in the Brunswick No. 1 fire protection district?  Click on the link below for a list of other Rensselaer County departments to see if they are participating in the Recruit NY Open House;

http://www.recruitny.org/community.php?page=rensselaer&submit=Go

Saturday, January 26, 2013  The Brunswick Fire Company No. 1 held its Annual Installation & Awards Dinner tonight.  Special guests in attendance included Congressman Chris Gibson,  Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino and Brunswick Town Councilman James Sullivan.  Firematic and Administrative officers were sworn in by the Honorable Robert Schmidt.  Honarary Chaplain Father Randall Patterson of Our Lady of Victory  gave the Blessing and Benediction.  Several awards were presented by Chief Wilson and President Ellison including;

Life Membership bestowed to Robert Smith, a 24 year member of the fire company who has held various ranks throughout his time in the company and currently holds the rank of Fire Lieutenant, Board of Director and Fund Drive Chairman.

Firefighter of the Year awarded to Ian McCardle

Officer of the Year awarded to Tom Bennett

Sunday, January 20, 2013  Brunswick No. 1 was dispatched to a working Structure Fire late tonight following multiple calls to the Rensselaer County 911 Center.  At approximately 10:54 pm several calls reported heavy smoke and flames from a residence on Brunswick Rd.  Sheriff's Deputies arrived quickly confirming the report with flames shooting through the roof.  Chief Willson arrived and requested a 2nd Alarm assignment.  Several companies including Center Brunswick, Eagle Mills, Mt View, Pittstown and Raymertown responded with multiple units.  Mohawk ambulance crews stood by and provided rehab.  Fire crews chased the stubborn fire through the attic and knocked down the blaze quickly.  Chief Willson reported the fire out around 1:30 am.  Cold weather and icy conditions hampered firefighters efforts throughout the night.  The Red Cross was called in to assist the family.  The Rensselaer County Fire Investigation Unit responded and investigated the incident.  Later reports state the cause of the fire was a cigar, thought to have been extinguished and discarded in the trash.

Monday, January 14, 2013    Actions indescribable in nature have been sweeping the American nation within the past recent months. With much acknowledgment and understanding, these actions are inexcusable and unforgettable at the same time.  It is with a deep sincerity that Brunswick No. 1 wishes to offer its fellow firefighting companies and schools nationwide a salute in honor of those that had recently fallen and its heavyhearted condolences for those that have been affected by such unspeakable travesties.  As a whole, our company wishes to remind our accompanying mutual aid and our communities we will continue our sworn duty to maintain our vowed effort towards your security and protection. This post is to hope for another productive yet safe year. Thank you.

Saturday, January 12, 2013  Brunswick No. 1 responded to an early morning Traffic Accident today.  Initial reports stated one car hit a utility pole with wires down and one person injured.  Chief Willson arrived on the scene to find one car wrapped around the utility pole with phone wires down.  The driver sustained minor injuries and was trasported to the hospital for further evaluation.

Saturday, December 22, 2012  When Santa's sleigh is unavailable whats the next best thing?  A big red fire truck of course!  Santa gave all his reindeer a break today so Brunswick No. 1 escorted him around the district today greeting kids and getting them into the Christmas spirit.  Come join us at the firehouse from 12pm-3pm, Santa will be there with gifts for the kids.  Snacks and refreshments will be served, all are welcome.  See you there!

Monday, November 26, 2012  Brunswick #1 responded mutual aid for Eagle Mills today.  Engine 4-4 and Utility 4 responded to the scene, while Engine 4-2 filled tankers at the hydrant in front of the Poestenkill firehouse. It took multiple fire companies nine hours to knock down the inferno, Eagle Mills volunteer fire department chief Tom Martin said. The home was set a quarter-mile off the road and flames ripped through the structure. The roof collapsed into the home and the windows blew out.  The home was a total loss.  Just two days after the fire, it has drawn national attention.  The Town of Poestenkill's water district billed the homeowner for the 73,000 gallons of water pumped from the hydrant because it was located in Poestenkill.  The bill is for $1,400.  The Town of Poestenkill buys its water from both Brunswick and Troy for just $4.35 per thousand gallons, but according to a Times Union source, there is an exemption in the water district code that allows them to bill $20.00 per thousand for 'sale' of water from a hydrant.  The Eagle Mills Fire Department will be holding a breakfast fundraiser Sunday, December 2 to help the homeowner offset the water bill and rebuild his life.

UPDATE: December 7th, 2012...The Town of Poestenkill has agreed to rescind the water bill !!!  Thank you Poestenkill town board!   

It’s 3 a.m. You and your family are sound asleep and awake to the beeping smoke alarm. You are tired and confused from the effects of the smoke. You know you need to get to safety, but when you head for the front door, you find that escape route is blocked by fire that is spreading by the second.  What do you do?

While this scenario is one we hope you never have to encounter, the statistics tell us that many people do every day. According to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), one home structure fire was reported every 85 seconds in 2010. That added up to 369,500 home structure fires, which caused 13,350 injuries and 2,640 deaths. We also know that most fatal fires kill one or two people. However, in 2010, 19 home fires killed five or more people, resulting in 101 deaths.
The numbers are scary, but there is something you can do to help ensure your family’s safety should a fire break out in your home: Have Two Ways Out!
 
Brunswick Fire Company No. 1 is teaming up with NFPA during Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13, 2012, to urge residents to “Have Two Ways Out!” This year’s theme focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice.
 
Only one-third of Americans have both developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. And of the three-quarters of Americans who do have an escape plan, less than half actually practiced it. As we saw in the scenario above, fire is unpredictable. Seconds and minutes can mean the difference between life and death. We want to ensure that Brunswick residents know what to do if a fire breaks out in their home. Preparation is an important part of being able to deal with an emergency and it is crucial you take steps to prepare your family for the potential of a home fire by having an escape plan and practicing it.
 
Although preparing for the unexpected is difficult, reviewing the information below and taking action based on it to plan for a fire could save lives. Brunswick Fire Company No 1 recommends the following tips for planning your family’s escape:
If you have children and want to make this a family activity
•Make a map of your home. Mark a door and a window that can be used to get out of every room.
•Choose a meeting place outside in front of your home. This is where everyone can meet once they’ve escaped. Draw a picture of your outside meeting place on your escape plan.
•Write the emergency telephone number for the fire department on your escape plan.
•Sound the smoke alarm and practice your escape drill with everyone living in your home.
•Keep your escape plan on the refrigerator and practice the drill twice a year or whenever anyone in your home celebrates a birthday.
If your family is all adults:
•Walk through you home and identify two ways out of each room.
•Choose a meeting place outside in front of your home. This is where everyone can meet once they’ve escaped.
•Make sure everyone knows the emergency number for your local fire department.
•Practice your escape drill twice a year.
 
The Brunswick Fire Company No. 1 will be hosting an Open House Saturday, October 6th, 11 am – 2:00 pm to promote “Have Two Ways Out!”  Through these educational, family-oriented activities, residents can learn more about the importance of fire escape planning and practice, as well as the power of prevention.
 
To learn more about “Have Two Ways Out!” visit NFPA’s Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org