Amsterdam Fire Department: AFD
*** In case of emergency: Dial 911 ***
Since the early 1800's the City was protected by various volunteer fire departments. In 1901 the City hired the first career chief to lead the various volunteer departments. In 1907 the city fathers disbanded all of the volunteer departments and started an all career department.
Today the Amsterdam Fire Department consists of four battalions with 33 sworn members which include: Chief of Department, 4 Battalion Chiefs, 8 Lieutenants and 20 Firefighters all providing the CIty of Amsterdam with emergency response 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
The duties of the department include fire suppression, fire education, Advanced Life Support, Emergency Medical Services, enforcement of NYS Fire Prevention & Building Codes and City codes, heavy rescue response, water response as well as many others. The area protected includes seven schools, residential, commercial, mixed occupancy, industrial sites, institutional sites, waterways, railroad and roadways, including a section of the NYS Thruway. Department apparatus includes two Class A pumpers, two quints, one utility truck, one light emergency services vehicle and a command vehicle. We are also in the process of equipping a fire investigation trailer. All responses are made from Fire Department Headquarters, located in the Public Safety Building. Current ISO rating is a 4.
Department members are certified as follows: 18 Paramedics, 14 Emergency Medical Technicians, 2 Code Enforcement Officials, and 28 Code Enforcement Technicians. Other members are also certified to teach various curriculums and provide this service to the department and other agencies. In-service annual training consists of approximately 160 hours of fire suppression, firefighter safety, emergency medical services, code enforcement, apparatus operation and maintenance, etc. Members also attend various training programs provided by outside agencies.
Fire safety education classes and demonstrations are provided to school children, senior citizens, industrial and commercial employees and civic groups. Smoke detectors are made available and installed by department members to all who request them.
Code enforcement duties include fire safety inspections of all non-residential buildings, multiple dwellings and places of assembly. In 2008 the department responded to over 2,900 emergency incidents. The members of the department continue a long tradition of providing a high level of service and commitment to all of the citizens of our City.
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