Welcome to the home page of the
Town of Watertown
​Fire Department
Jefferson County
​New York
Please assist the Town of Watertown Fire Department by donating through our Paypal link below.  You do not have to have a Paypal account to donate. 

148.33 Combined Years of Service

Our three longest serving members: Jim Randal, Sr. (46.89 years), Dick Tanner (45.05 years), and Bob Johnston (56.39 years).  THANK YOU! [Thanks to Deb Reid for the photograph]
2023 Calls:
As of April 30, 2023

Total Calls for the Year - 275
Structure Fires - 7
Vehicle Fires - 3
Vegetation Fires - 0
EMS Calls - 101
Rescue - 0
MVA - 22
Hazardous Conditions - 17
Mutual Aid Given - 7
Mutual Aid Received - 6
Average Enroute Time - 5:41 minutes

Our Condolences...

          The Town of Watertown Fire Department lifts up the family, friends and departments of Paul F. Fitzgerald, Jr., 72 (City of Watertown Fire Department, Northpole Fire Co., Inc., and NYS Fire Instructor) and John Patrick Christman, 50 (Lowville Volunteer Fire Department and Jerome Fire Equipment - salesman).
Paul Fitzgerald
July 26, 1950 - April 28, 2023

John Christman
April 19, 1973 ~ April 29, 2023
​
          May they rest in peace - we'll take it from here!

Recruitment Video

Produced by the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs...
https://vimeo.com/818947534/120447bda9

John Earl Halback
​December 2, 1947 - April 16, 2023

The thoughts and prayers of the Town of Watertown are with the family and friends of Earl Halback.   Earl  spent several decades serving the Town of Watertown Fire Department as an EMT, Firefighter, and Fire Commissioner.
https://www.reedbenoit.com/obituary/john-halback

2022 Year in Review

2023 Shamrock Fun Run/Walk

Four TWFD members participated in this year's annual Shamrock Fun Run/Walk: Jeremy Powell, Bill Bamann, Sereenah George, and Josh Wilcox.  (Thanks to Josh for providing the pictures.)

TWFD Offers Thoughts and Prayers to the Family of Charles E. "Charlie Oatridge, Jr.
​October 4, 1944 - February 3, 2023

Charlie joined TWFD on December 4, 1985.
https://www.newzjunky.com/charles-e-charlie-oatridge-jr-78-watertown/

​13 people hurt in multi-vehicle pileup on Interstate 81 on February 1

share.newsbreak.com/2yksxnpr

Congratulations to Our Elected  & Appointed Officers!

Congratulations to the following for being elected or appointed as officers of TWFD:

Chief Officers:
     Chief: David Johnston
     1st Assistant Chief: Ronald Wareham
     2nd Assistant Chief: Jason Lee
     3rd Assistant Chief:  John Smith
 
Line Officers:
     Station 1 Captain:  Jonathan Sullivan
     Station 1 Captain: Frederick Sourwine
     Station 3 Captain:  Christopher Brass
     Foreman 46-1-1:  Michael Van Brocklin
     Foreman 46-4-1: Joshua Wilcox
     Foreman 46-4-2: Deb Reid
     Foreman 46-5-2: Robert Johnston
     Foreman 46-8-1: Jeremy Powell
     Foreman 46-7-1: Wayne Scott, Sr.
     Foreman 46-7-2: Chip Metzler

Administrative Officers:
     Secretary: Joshua Wilcox
     Treasurer: Jeremy Powell 
     President: Leon VanWie
     Chaplain: Rev. Leon VanWie
     Safety Officer: Deb Reid
     Training Officer: Jonathan Sullivan

​Fire in the Town of Rutland sends 2 to the hospital

https://www.wwnytv.com/2022/12/11/fire-town-rutland-sends-2-hospital/
Two firefighters were sent to the hospital Sunday morning (December 11, 2022) after battling a fire in the Town of Rutland. Rutland Volunteer Fire Chief William Kalin says crews from Rutland, Town of Watertown, and Felts Mills responded to a home on State Route 126 around 3 AM for reports of flames showing from the roof. Upon arriving on scene, Kalin says the fire was visible in the attic space above a second floor room. All occupants of the home got out safe, but as crews were working on the second floor, the room they were working in partially collapsed onto the first floor. As a result, two firefighters were transported to Samaritan Medical Center with minor injuries, they have since been treated and released. Two other firefighters were evaluated on scene but did not require treatment. The cause of that fire remains under investigation.  
WWNY-TV CBS 7 CARTHAGE  

City of Watertown
Annual Christmas Parade
​December 2, 2022

(Thanks to Jeremy Powell and Deb Reid for providing the pictures.)

TWFD Offers Thoughts and Prayers to Family of Barbara (Skeet) Lee Clement

https://www.reedbenoit.com/obituary/barbara-clement
Skeet is the wife of Past Chief George Clement who served as chief in 1985.  Skeet has been active in the Auxiliary for many years.

October 29, 2022
MAN  VS.  MACHINE
Training - Provided by
Take the Door

(Thanks to Josh Wilcox for providing the photos...)

August 28, 2022
Airbag Training - Provided by
Assistant Chief Jason Lee

(Photos provided by Josh Wilcox...)

September 11, 2022
Thompson Park Stair Climb

September 10, 2022
​Central New York Stair Climb

TWFD was well represented at the 2022 Central New York Stair Climb with Sereenah George, Deb Reid, Michael Van Brocklin, and Josh Wilcox participating!

August 24, 2022 Bailout Training
​at Station 3

All interior qualified firefighters are required to have their annual bailout training.   (Thanks to Jeremy Powell for the pictures.)

​Lightning strikes Town of Watertown Garage, sparks fire on August 21, 2022

TOWN OF WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) - As parts of the North Country saw storms early Sunday morning, a garage was struck by lightning and caught fire.
Fire officials say lightning struck a garage at 17733 County Route 65 in the Town of Watertown around 9:30 AM. Nobody was in the garage at the time...
https://www.wwnytv.com/2022/08/21/lightning-strikes-town-watertown-garage-sparks-fire/

Two TWFD Firefighters Join
​Watertown City FD

WATERTOWN — The city’s newest firefighters began their long career path together when they were still boys.
​
Pat Vincent joined the town of Watertown’s department as a volunteer firefighter when he was a senior in high school, while then 12-year-old Josh Wilcox hung out at the fire station with his firefighter dad.
And now they’re members of the city’s fire department after making a lateral move from Oswego in what is believed to be the first time that city firefighters switched jobs from another department...
https://www.nny360.com/communitynews/achievers/watertown-s-newest-firefighters-grew-up-together/article_389b1c5d-2b86-5e8d-b185-acb1119baf2c.html

Nancy "Nan" Adeline Lyttle
 July 4, 1938 - July 1, 2022

The thoughts and prayers of the Town of Watertown Fire Department are with the family of Nancy Lyttle.  Nancy was a long time member of the TWFD Auxiliary.

Jefferson County Dispatcher Deb Reid Retires After 35 Years!

This email was sent by: (35) Fred Sourwine

On behalf of the Town of Watertown Fire Department and Fire District Officers and Employees we would like to express our congratulations to dispatcher Debbie Reid for her many years of dedicated service to Jefferson County and its First Responders. Debbie has been one of those unseen First responder heroes that have looked over us for many years. Thank You and Congratulations Debbie; enjoy your retirement.
https://www.wwnytv.com/2022/06/29/jefferson-county-dispatcher-retires-after-35-years/

​January 21 - Fire breaks out at Brownville paper mill

​Fire breaks out at Brownville paper mill
VIDEO: Crews were called to a fire at Neenah Paper in the town of Brownville early Friday morning. The call came in a little after 5 a.m. Someone reported seeing flames above an exhaust fan on the roof. Fire was showing above the roof by the time firefighters arrived. Officials said the bitter-cold temperatures slowed their efforts when water lines froze on their trucks. Nearby hydrants worked fine, though. A majority of the fire was knocked down by around 7 a.m. and crews began chasing hot spots. Bridge Street, where the paper company is located, was closed to traffic while crews were at work. There's no word on the status of plant operations, but fire officials say there's substantial water damage inside the building. Fire investigators were on the seen looking for a cause.  
WWNY-TV CBS 7 CARTHAGE  
https://www.wwnytv.com/2022/01/21/early-morning-fire-breaks-out-brownville-paper-mill/

Town of Watertown Home Destroyed by Blaze within Minutes (December 11, 2021)

VIDEO: A house in Watertown was destroyed by fire within minutes Saturday. Just before 5 PM, crews were called to the home at 24521 Gotham Street Road, where there was already heavy fire and smoke. The wind was fanning the flames of the fully involved structure. Officials shut down the road between Route 12 and Spring Valley Drive. They say no one was home at the time and there were no injuries. It was a passerby who called 911. Investigators are still looking into what caused the fire.  
WWNY-TV CBS 7 CARTHAGE  
https://www.wwnytv.com/2021/12/11/watertown-home-destroyed-by-blaze-within-minutes/
This message is from 1st Assistant Chief Jeff Van Brocklin...

To everyone who helped at last night’s fire I can say that you all did your best under some extremely difficult circumstances.  I will speak for all the chiefs and say a big THANK YOU.

My family and myself appreciate everything.  Although one of the family pets and almost all their possessions were lost, we were able to recover the children's precious violins.

Once again thanks for all you do!

Annual Christmas Parade
December 2, 2021 at 7PM

https://www.wwnytv.com/2021/12/03/tis-season-watertown-kicks-it-off-with-parade-tree-lighting/

Watertown Savings Bank Presents TWFD with Check

Check  Us Out on Facebook...

The Town of Watertown Fire Department Needs Members!
For More Information, Call (315) 788-9101
2022 Calls:
As of December 31, 2022

Total Calls for the Year - 693
Structure Fires - 21
Vehicle Fires - 4
Vegetation Fires - 8
EMS Calls - 173
Rescue - 1
MVA - 78
Hazardous Conditions - 37
Mutual Aid Given - 30
Mutual Aid Received - 23
Average Enroute Time - 6:14 minutes
2021 Calls:
As of December 31, 2021

Total Calls for the Year - 649
Structure Fires - 21
Vehicle Fires - 3
Vegetation Fires - 5
EMS Calls - 172
Rescue - 3
MVA - 76
Hazardous Conditions - 56
Mutual Aid Given - 17
Mutual Aid Received - 24
Average Enroute Time - 5:31 minutes
2020 Calls:
As of December 31, 2020
​
Total Calls for the Year -572
Structure Fires - 21
Vehicle Fires - 7
Vegetation Fires - 11
EMS Calls - 159
Rescue - 4
MVA - 72
Hazardous Conditions - 49
Mutual Aid Given - 23
Mutual Aid Received - 15
Average Enroute Time - 4:13 minutes
2019 Calls:
As of December 31, 2019
​
Total Calls for the Year - 614
Structure Fires - 18
Vehicle Fires - 5
Vegetation Fires - 2
EMS Calls - 195
Rescue - 11
MVA - 109
Hazardous Conditions - 36
Mutual Aid Given - 29
Mutual Aid Received - 8
Average Enroute Time - 3.56 minutes

2018 - In Review

(Here is the video that was shown at our April 6, 2019 banquet (without the sound, due to copyright policy)
2018 Calls:
As of December 31, 2018
​
Total Calls for the Year - 633
Structure Fires - 20
Vehicle Fires - 6
Vegetation Fires - 7
EMS Calls - 200
Rescue - 4
MVA - 79
Hazardous Conditions - 48
Mutual Aid Given - 17
Mutual Aid Received - 16
Average Enroute Time - 4.27 minutes


2017 Calls:
As of December 31, 2017
Total Calls for the Year - 677
Structure Fires - 30
MVAs - 127
EMS Calls - 152
Average Enroute Time - 4.63 Minutes
​
2016 Calls:
471 Fire Calls
181 EMS Calls
652 Total Calls
2015 Calls:
505 Fire Calls
142 EMS Calls
647 Total Calls
2014 Calls:
577 Total Calls