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Town of Watertown
​Fire Department
Jefferson County
​New York
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State Police investigate serious crash on Arsenal Street (9/11)

By 7 News Staff
Published: Sep. 11, 2021 at 5:04 PM EDT|Updated: 22 hours ago
​WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) - A medical airlift chopper had to make a landing on Arsenal street just outside Watertown after a serious crash Saturday afternoon.
https://www.wwnytv.com/2021/09/11/state-police-investigate-serious-crash-arsenal-street/

9/11 Stair Climb

Several members from TWFD joined other firefighters from the area to remember and honor the 343 FDNY Members who paid the ultimate price on September 11, 2001 in New York City...

Woman entrapped, injured in Arsenal Street crash Wednesday morning (9/8)

www.nny360.com/news/jeffersoncounty/woman-entrapped-injured-in-arsenal-street-crash-wednesday-morning/article_dc591f3e-93f0-5929-8bf4-a6530ce294a4.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

2021 Calls:
As of August 31, 2021

Total Calls for the Year - 412 
Structure Fires - 13
Vehicle Fires - 1
Vegetation Fires - 5
EMS Calls - 113
Rescue - 1
MVA - 51
Hazardous Conditions - 24
Mutual Aid Given - 8
Mutual Aid Received - 12
Average Enroute Time - 5:11 minutes

Mutual Aid - Structure Fire
​Brownville - June 14, 2021

​Fire engulfs home, garage in town of Brownville
VIDEO: Firefighters battled a blaze at a home in the town of Brownville Monday afternoon. Volunteers from several departments were called to 20279 Reasoner Road at around 3:30 p.m. 7 News reporter Lexi Bruening was on the scene and said the home was heavily damaged and the attached garage was destroyed. Officials told her no one was home at the time the blaze broke out. A dog inside the house did not survive. Volunteers from Brownville, North Pole, Town of Watertown, Three Mile Bay, Dexter and Pamelia fire departments were on the scene. Officials said they had to be extra cautious fighting the fire because the owner had a large amount of ammunition inside. That wasn't their only concern. "We were behind the 8-ball from the beginning, just with the amount of fire that was already showing. Time of day and water out here is an issue," said Town of Brownville Fire District Chief Ryan McIntosh.  
WWNY-TV 7 FOX 28 WATERTOWN  
https://www.wwnytv.com/2021/06/14/fire-engulfs-home-town-brownville/

May 16, 2021 Structure Fire
​Neighbors say squatters are to blame for Watertown fire Sunday

​Neighbors say squatters are to blame for Watertown fire
A small fire broke out at an abandoned building in Watertown Sunday evening and neighbors say they suspect squatters are to blame. A passer-by saw flames and smoke coming from a house on Overlook Drive around 7:30 PM. When firefighters arrived, they say they were able to knock out the small fire within minutes. Officials say there was no power going to the building and the source of the fire was a small cooking appliance. They say squatters have been known to stay in the house. There is no structural damage to the home. There will not be an investigation.  
WWNY-TV 7 FOX 28 WATERTOWN  

​https://www.wwnytv.com/2021/05/16/neighbors-say-squatters-are-blame-watertown-fire-sunday/

Engine 77 Update
May 9, 2021

From Watertown Daily Times - May 10, 2021
​
WATERTOWN — Fifty-four years ago, Robert J. Johnston learned how to work on a pumper truck that was the first piece of equipment that the Watertown Town Fire Department ever owned.
 
That same 1952 truck — old Engine 77 — is back where it belongs, sitting in the department’s Fire Station and back from a refurbishment project that started six years ago.
 
“It came back looking pretty good for being 69 years old and almost as old as I am,” said the 73-year-old firefighter.
 
For the past two years, the fire truck was up in the town of Louisville in St. Lawrence County, where it went through an extensive bodywork and paint job that got it looking like it did when Mr. Johnston was a 15-year-old firefighter trainee.
 
Old Engine 77, with an eight-cylinder, gas-driven Lincoln engine, was towed back to the fire station last Monday night.
 
For years, it was a bit of a mystery what happened to the beloved pumper, in service for about 20 years, after it was taken off the road during the early 1970s.
 
For about a dozen years or so, the pumper sat on Brian J. Kehoe’s family farm in Sandy Creek, where it was used to irrigate his strawberries for a few years until the truck went out to pasture after the farm was turned into the Christmas tree-growing business.
 
The project, funded by donations, was a labor of love for the members of the department.
 
They worked on the basics of restoring the apparatus before deciding that it needed some extra attention. When it went up to St. Lawrence County two years ago, the pumper’s bright red color was faded and predominantly rusted.
 
But Mr. Shirley, who does auto restoration work as a hobby in his garage, removed the truck’s cab, motor, back and fenders and it was just down to its frame so he could do his magic. He was recommended by a local group of antique fire apparatus enthusiasts.
 
“He put some tremendous work into it,” said John M. Falge, a member of the department for the past 29 years. “It’s all new.”
 
He and Mr. Johnston were put in charge of the restoration project as co-chairs of the department’s truck committee. Both are still members of the department.
 
Mr. Johnston remembers the days, decades ago, when old Engine 77 helped him become a firefighter. He did a lot of training on it, he recalled.
 
Some log books were found in the truck’s glove compartment when it was returned home the first time. And it contained an entry showing Mr. Johnston going on a fire call so many decades ago. He doesn’t remember that fire.
 
“I went on thousands of calls,” he said.
 
Last week, Mr. Falge got into the truck and turned the ignition. The truck’s engine purred as it was moved out of the fire station to show it off.
 
Now it’s finished, the engine, which has logged about 14,900 miles, will be showcased in parades, to show off to recruits and during other events.

TWFD Training - April 28, 2021

April 28th training consisted of triple layer loads, 7-1 and 7-2's pumps (led by Wayne Scott, Sr.), and bailout.

Thank You!

The officers and members of the Town of Watertown Fire Department appreciate the overwhelming support expressed at the SPECIAL TAX DISTRICT PUBLIC HEARING that was held on April 21.

DeWitt W. Nichols
November 16, 1946 – April 7, 2021

nichols_dewitt_w__obit_.pdf
File Size: 212 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
The thoughts and prayers of the Town of Watertown Fire Department are with the family and friends of Past Chief DeWitt Nichols.

Peyton Morse Funeral

https://www.wwnytv.com/2021/03/19/hundreds-firefighters-turn-out-morse-funeral/
​VIDEO: Firefighters from across New York state were in Clayton Friday morning to attend the funeral of Peyton Morse. As his body was brought to St. Mary's Catholic Church, hundreds of firefighters marched three quarters of a mile from Cerow Park down James Street, accompanying him. You could see firefighters from Lackawana, near Buffalo, Glens Falls in the capitol region, Auburn in central New York, and many other places. "It's a brotherhood and we all wanted to come and pay our respects to someone who paid the ultimate price," said Mike Bates from the Gates fire department. Shoulder to shoulder, columns of firefighters marched through the village as onlookers watched them pass - a demonstration not only for Peyton, but the family he leaves behind.  
WWNY-TV 7 FOX 28 WATERTOWN  
Our thoughts and prayers continue with Peyton's family, friends, and departments.

Thoughts and Prayers with family and friends of Grant Hall

​Longtime Jefferson County fire instructor, Grant L. Hall, 86, from Philadelphia, NY died as a result of an MVA.
 
Grant is being remembered for his role as a longtime fire instructor.  Director of Fire and Emergency Management Joe Plummer tells 7 News he took his first fire class from Hall decades ago.  “He was a great guy,” Plummer said. “A great asset.  He started a lot of people into the fire service in Jefferson County.  He was well respected by everyone in the county and in the fire service.”
 
(Funeral arrangements were not available at the time of this post.)

Black Helmets Awarded
​January 20, 2021

Congratulations to our newest Interior Firefighters!  These 5 individuals have completed many hours in the classroom, as well as many hours of hands-on training to receive their BLACK HELMETS. Congratulations (from left to right) FF Josh Buskey, FF Will Ryan, FF Zach Yauchler, FF Sereenah George, and FF Michael Van Brocklin.

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The Town of Watertown Fire Department Needs Members!
For More Information, Call (315) 788-9101
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