Fire Department

History

When Amsterdam was first incorporated as a village in 1830, fire protection was provided by several volunteer fire companies stationed in various parts of town. The volunteer companies continued to provide protection for Amsterdam through its incorporation as a city in 1885 and beyond. In 1901 the city hired William Stitchel as its first career fire chief to lead the volunteer departments. In 1907 city officials voted to disband all of the volunteer companies and created a full-time career department to better serve the residents of Amsterdam.

The Amsterdam Fire Department at one point had as many as 7 firehouses located throughout the city. Today the department operates its headquarters and all apparatus out of the Amsterdam Public Safety Building located in the downtown section of the city at 10 Guy Park Avenue Extension.

The complement of the department is 33 members including the fire chief and four battalions. Each battalion is made up of 1 battalion chief, 2 lieutenants, and 5 firefighters. The apparatus used to serve and protect our community includes 2 engines, 2 aerial quints, 2 ambulances, 1 rescue boat, 1 fire investigation unit, and 1 special operations unit.

Who We Are

Our essential mission is to provide the best possible protection of life, property, and the environment for the citizens of Amsterdam and all who work, visit and travel through our community. The 6.26 square miles that we serve include over 18,000 residents, Erie Canal Lock 11 and the Mohawk River, a section of the New York State Thruway, and a railway that sees nearly 90 cargo and passenger trains travel through our city on a daily basis.

Services Provided by the Amsterdam Fire Department

  • Fire Suppression and Rescue
  • Emergency Medical Services and Transport
  • Vehicle Rescue and Extrication
  • Confined Space Rescue
  • Water Rescue
  • Technical Rescue
  • Hazardous Material Incident Response
  • Cause and Origin/Fire Investigation
  • Fire Prevention and Education
  • NYS Fire Code Enforcement
  • Natural Gas Incidents
  • Electrical Emergencies
  • Become a Firefighter

If you are interested in applying to become a firefighter at the AFD, please visit the Employment Opportunities page for any current career opportunities.