Keene Valley Hose and Ladder No. 1 Inc.

Many residents surrounding our station were alerted that our siren was in fact repaired when our members and the members of Keene Fire were requested to assist the NYSDEC Forest Rangers with an injured hiker on the Giant Mountain Ridge Trail at 10:55 am yesterday. Additionally, Essex County Paramedic James Moricette had his first opprotunity to join us for this wildness rescue. Ten of our members and two from Keene Fire and EMS assisted with providing medical assistance ,... packaging and carrying this individual with life threatening injuries down a very challenging trail under the guidance of the professional NYSDEC Forest. Rangers. The injured party was then transported to the University Hospital/CVPH in Plattsburgh NY by Ambulance 199 where he was admitted with serious injuries. A five hour ordeal testing the dedication of paid and volunteer staff for a successful outcome. Well done ladies and gentlemen. See more

Do you know the 7 principles of Leave No Trace? As more people visit the Adirondacks, it's important to educate ourselves on how to properly enjoy the wild places we all love. To learn more about Leave No Trace and pledge to love the Adirondacks in a sustainable way visit loveyouradk.org

-Thought this was interesting- Have you ever seen someone driving behind you with a green or blue flashing light? What does that blue or green light mean? In NY...S, a green light displayed on a vehicle indicates EMS personnel responding to a 911 call in their personal vehicle. EMS volunteers sometimes leave the station during their shift, if they get a call they will activate their green light and proceed safely to meet the ambulance or to respond directly to their building. In NYS, a blue light displayed on a vehicle indicates a volunteer firefighter is responding to a 911 call in their personal vehicle. Most are responding to their firehouses to provide the manpower for emergency apparatus to respond to the emergency but some may be responding to the scene as a first responder. If you see a passenger car with a flashing green or blue light, please consider treating it like any other emergency vehicle; we are requesting the right of way - this is a courtesy light. When it is safe to do so, please pull over to the right and come to a complete stop, so that we may travel safely past. Many in our community don't know about the flashing green or blue light. Every second counts. Help us help you.

Hats are in! For sale at the Keene Valley Grocery Store and Old Mountain Coffee. $25 dollars cash or check made out to Keene Valley Fire Department. Thank you so much for the ongoing support of our department!

Shirts are in! If you are interested in purchasing a shirt from the KVFD, feel free to reach out via facebook, e-mail, or phone (kvfire.org has contact info). ALSO, the Valley Grocery Store has a restocked their inventory and is selling shirts, too!

Due to concerns for your health as well as our members, we will not be hosting our annual Fire Department Open House/Field Day. Please look for our online store for new merchandise! You can always purchase t-shirts at The Valley Grocery. Continue to wear your mask and stay healthy.

* Copying from another Fire Department* DEC issues fire danger warning NEW YORK State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos... urged New Yorkers to practice the utmost safety when burning wood and brush outdoors during recent dry conditions. Although the state's prohibition on residential brush burning ended in May, fire danger still exists. "Dry weather and warming temperatures have elevated the risk of fires statewide, particularly across eastern New York," Seggos stated. - Advertisement - "The last widespread rainfall we saw was more than a full week ago and over the last month, some parts of the state are 90 percent below normal rainfall levels. I encourage New Yorkers to use safety precautions to help prevent wildfire outbreaks," Seggos explained. DEC updates the fire danger map and forecast during fire season on its website and on the NY Fishing, Hunting & Wildlife App (also available on DEC's website). The majority of the state remains at moderate risk, which means outdoor fires can burn briskly and spread rapidly on windy days. Precipitation in eastern New York and western New England over the last 30 days ranged from 0.50 to 3.50 inches, which is 15 to 90 percent below normal. Debris burning and campfires are among the top five causes of wildfires. While fireworks are not a significant cause of wildfires, officials said they are a potential hazard. In most cases, fireworks are also illegal. Campfires with family are great fun, when done safely. Fire safety tips for burning wood or brush: Never burn on a windy day; Check and obey all local laws and ordinances; Burn early in the morning when humidity is high and winds are low; Clear all flammable material for a distance of 10 to 15 feet around the fire; Keep piles to be burned small, adding small quantities of material as burning progresses; Always have a garden hose, shovel, water bucket, or other means to extinguish the fire close at hand; and When done, drown the fire with water, making sure all materials, embers, and coals are wet. While camping in the backcountry, New Yorkers are advised to: Use existing campfire rings where possible; Build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps, logs, dry grass, and leaves. Pile extra wood away from the fire; Clear the area around the ring of leaves, twigs, and other flammables materials; Never leave a campfire unattended. Even a small breeze could cause the fire to spread quickly; and Drown the fire with water. Make sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet. Move rocks as there may be burning embers underneath. Do not Burn household trash: Burning trash is prohibited statewide in all cases. Incinerator rules prohibit burning household trash in wood stoves, fireplaces, and outdoor wood boilers; DEC recommends recycling all appropriate materials (such as newspaper, paper, glass and plastic) and composting organic kitchen and garden waste; Burning leaves is also banned in New York state. DEC encourages composting of leaves; and Disposal of flags or religious items in a small-sized fire is allowed if it not otherwise prohibited by law or regulation.

How first responders connect to the community is a reflection on their acceptance and support to the individuals within it. Yesterday, both KVFD and KFD participated in the town's first Pride Parade. It was a honor to be a part of it!

Keene Valley Fire Department wants to congratulate Keene Central's 2020 Senior Class. Despite this years challenges, you have made it. A special congratulations to one of our own. Hunter Buysse has long been recognized for his passion to serve his community. We thank you for your service and wish you the very best in the future.

Our hearts ache for the family.

Our department was contacted and advised that Essex County's response rate to the US Census is way down. Since it can effect funding for emergency services we thought you should know. Please go on line or call if you have not received your census in the mail and/or have not completed it. Thank you.

Last evening Keene Valley Hose & Ladder No. 1 held it's very first digital annual meeting in it's 112 year history. Congratulations to the following officers for 2020 and thanks to each and every member that continues to support our organization. Keene Valley Fire Department 2020 Annual Elections Chief Stephen "Rusty" Hall... 1 st. Asst.Chief Ian Hall 2 nd. Asst. Chief Patrick Odell 3 rd. Asst. Chief Michael Buysse Rescue Chief Douglas Downs Asst. Rescue Chief Ron Hall Fire Police Captain Robert "Wayne" Hudson Secretary Chris Becker Treasurer William Tansey Wilderness Rescue Coordinator Patrick Odell Board of Directors Mathew Dumas Board of Directors Michael Carr Safety Officer Greg Pelkey Safety Officer Ryan Hall See more

Sunday, May 3rd, we had the honor of participating in the Class of 2020's Graduate Parade. It was especially rewarding to stand by our Department and wave to our very own Hunter Buysse alongside his Father Michael Buysse in 191. You will do great things, Hunter. Congrats Class of 2020!

Late on 4/19/20, Keene Valley Fire was activated for a structure fire at 13 Mason Young Way. Automatic mutual aid was initiated for Keene Fire, Upper Jay Fire,... Jay Fire and Lake Placid Fire, along with Essex County Air One and Fire Investigators. Arrival on scene Engine 191 commenced exterior attack, Tanker 195 assisted with water supply, UJFD Engine 341 located a draft site in the Ausable River near Marcy Field. KFD Tanker 185, UJFD Tanker 345, JFD Tanker 175 and LPFD 225 shuttled water to KFD Engine 181/KVFD 191. With an extreme amount of fire load, teams attacked with sheer determination thoughout the night. The men and women of the area departments battled until the end allowing Essex County Fire Investigators to do their important job. All units were back in service at 05:00 am. Special thanks to Essex County 911 dispatchers, Essex County Sheriff Deputy's, our mutual aid departments and our Secondary support members that provided sandwhichs and beverages along with others we have missed. Teamwork all around. Our community salutes you. See more