Monday, January 31, 2011     

  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 commerical 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. 

If your looking for training and news throughout Rensselaer County, check out the Rensselaer County Fire Chief's Assn website.  The website is a great resource for finding NYS Certified Training Classes through the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Fire Prevention and Control.  Here's the link to their website; rctraining.webs.com/

Thursday, November 3, 2011  This vehicle is no longer available.  Special thanks to the SPEIGLETOWN DISTRICT VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY.  We know it will serve them well!

• 2006 Ford Explorer XLS First Responder
• V6 Engine, Automatic Transmission w/overdrive
• 50,080 Original Miles
• 4 Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel ABS / Running Boards
• MX7000 Light Bar (Half LED's & Arrow Stick)
• Power Steering / Brakes / Mirrors / Locks / Windows
• Cruise Control / Tilt Steering, AM/FM CD Radio
• Havis-Shields Console (just add your radios)
• CODE3 Smart Siren Package
• 100 Watt Siren/Speaker
• Privacy Glass / Flashing Headlights / Front-Rear LED's
• Detailed Service Records Available
• Call John 518-928-3197 or Gus 518-391-0052

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!
 

Thursday, April 7, 2011  Brunswick No. 1 responded to a resported Structure Fire at 105 Brunswick Rd today.  After multiple calls were received at the Rensselaer County 911 Center, Box 0402 was dispatched for Brunswick No. 1 along with Eagle Mills and Mohawk Ambulance.  Chief Mike Ornoski arrived on the scene with flames showing on the west side exterior wall on the 1st floor and transmitted a Signal 30 and 2nd Alarm, comprising of Center Brunswick, additional Eagle Mills units, Mountain View, and Troy.  Due to a recent fire in Raymertown, stations were manned and units were quick to respond.  Wynantskill was covering a stand by assignment in Eagle Mills and took the call. Spiegletown and Poestenkill provided stand by crews. The fire was believed to have started in a fireplace and quickly spread to a nearby wall. The fire was quickly knocked down using water and foam, causing minimal damage. Units were on the scene for about two hours and the call is being investigated by the Rensselaer County Fire Investigation Team. 

The Brunswick Fire Company No. 1 has been working with many of our local businesses on the Knox Box program.  This system provides safe and secure access to the location in the event of an emergency and there is no one on the scene or if it is after business hours.  The Knox Box is essentially a safe mounted to the exterior of the building close to an entrance.  The property owner can store items such as entrance keys, access cards and floor plans in the high-security Knox-Box®. 

During an emergency, as the fire company arrives, a request is made to the Rensselaer County 911 Dispatch Center to "release the knox box key".  The dispatch center then engages a tone that releases the key from the locked console mounted in the fire truck.  That key opens the Knox Box which has keys inside allowing us to open an entry door with a key, rather than damage their property by breaking a door or window.  Upon completion of the call the key is returned and locked into the console in the fire truck and the dispatch center is notified that 'the Knox Box key is secure."

The KNOX-BOX® Rapid Entry System was specifically developed for the fire department. With one master key, the fire company can gain access to commercial and residential property. More than 9,000 departments nationwide use Knox® key boxes, vaults, Haz-Mat cabinets, key switches, locking FDC caps, and padlocks.

With this system there is no waiting for a property owner to unlock the door in the middle of the night, and no forcing the door open to gain entry.  The Knox Rapid Entry System reduces response time, property damage and the liability for lost keys.  While this program is not mandated by town law, it is strictly voluntary.  Special thanks goes out to Past Asst. Chief Gus Scifo for implementing this plan and continuing its growth today.

If you would like to participate in this program for your business or residence call the firehouse at 272-9393.

Monday, August 16, 2010  Brunswick #1 and Center Brunswick Fire Company members completed Bail-Out training at the Brunswick #1 firehouse.  Upon completion of the class certified members are outfitted with a package including a Crosby hook, 30' of Sterling FireTech32 rope, Sterling F4 escape device, locking carabiner and a Rock N Rescue Class II seat harness.  The components are stored in a bag that the firefighter carries in his turnout pants.  The 3 point harness is worn over the firefighters turnout pants.  In the event of an emergency and a firefighter needs to "Bail-Out" of a building or room on fire, the kit is deployed immediately by hooking onto the wall casing with the "Crosby hook".  The firefighter connects the carabiner on the system to the harness and "bails out" (jumps) out the window.  The F4 device allows the firefighter to be suspended in the air outside the window safe from the smoke and flames.  The firefighter then depresses the handle on the F4 and descends safely to the ground.  Special thanks to Rich Roberts for providing pictures of the training.  For more pictures, go to our Gallery page and check out the Training Album.