🧯 Oneonta Fire Department – Overview

Location & Contact
• Headquartered at 79–81 Main Street in the Public Safety Building, Oneonta, NY. 
• Available 24/7 for emergency and non-emergency assistance. Call 607‑433‑3480 or dial 911 in emergencies. 

Personnel & Coverage
• Staffed by 27 full-time firefighters plus paid part-time/call personnel. 
• Serves a ~14 sq mile district, including the City and Town of Oneonta, I‑88 corridor, SUNY Oneonta, Hartwick College, A.O. Fox Hospital, railroad lines, Susquehanna River, and nearby residential and commercial areas. 

Call Volume
• Steady rise in service calls: from approximately 2,692 in 2009 to 3,260 in 2011 (≈ 21% increase). 
• Responds to fire, EMS, technical rescues, hazardous materials incidents, and more. Their Emergency Medical Services include ambulance transport upon request.

Specialized Teams & Capabilities
• FAST (Firefighter Assistance Team) for structural fires, a local mutual-aid initiative.
• Tactical EMS Team supporting law enforcement during high-risk operations. 
• EMS Bike Team for medical support at large events or remote areas. 
• Certified CPR, Fire Science, and EMS Instructors offer ongoing training & community education. 
• Haz-Mat response: department chief leads the county team. 
• Fire Investigators: NYS-certified arson investigators collaborate on all non-accidental fires. 

Community Outreach & Prevention
• School visits (~1,200 kids annually) on fire and injury prevention. 
• Safety talks for local groups and college residences. 
• Hosts BOCES internship opportunities for aspiring firefighters. 

Mission Statement
• Prevent injury, loss of life/property from fires or disasters
• Provide emergency medical aid and ambulance transport
• Mitigate hazardous materials/technical incidents
• Enforce fire safety codes and educate the public
• Maintain cost-effective public protection
• Foster professional development in a safety-driven, innovative culture 

Fleet & Equipment
(As of 2011; please verify for updates) 
• Engine 1612 (2004 Ferrara; 1,750 GPM/1,000 gal)
• Rescue 1631 (Spartan-based)
• Truck 1642 (2016 Ferrara Inferno mid-mount platform)
• Chief’s, brush, and ambulance vehicles
• One engine (2009 Sutphen) occasionally out of service for repairs 

Recent Notable Incident
• On May 21, 2025, responded to a kitchen fire at an apartment on Grand Street. Six residents were evacuated, one took non-life-threatening injuries, and one pet was lost. The department worked alongside Sidney FAST, County EMS, and local police. 

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In Summary

The Oneonta Fire Department is a well-staffed, full-time professional force offering comprehensive fire protection and EMS services across Oneonta and surrounding areas. They emphasize community education, technical rescue, and specialized response teams—all while adapting to increasing service demands. Their commitment to prevention, training, and mutual aid strengthens both local and regional emergency capabilities.