Town of Batavia Fire Department, Inc.

05/16/2026

Yesterday morning, the volunteer fire service lost a brother in Searsmont, Maine. At times like these we realize how quickly a fire scene can go from a fairly “routine” fire to a mass casualty incident. The manpower that is required to deal with not only a large industrial fire, but the necessary care for all of the injured firefighters would be a very difficult ask for even well staffed career departments much less the strain an incident like this puts on a 100% volunteer staff like Waldo County, Maine and, quite frankly the majority of our country.

This volatility of fire scenes highlights the importance of recruitment, and retention of both new and experienced firefighters for the volunteer fire service. If you, or anyone you know, has ever had any sense of duty or interest in helping your own local community, please reach out to your local volunteer fire department. Every man and woman counts on a tragic scene like what happened in Searsmont yesterday morning.

The thoughts and prayers of every member of the Town Of Batavia Fire Department go out to those members families and the community at large.

05/09/2026

The Town of Batavia Fire Department is always happy to collaborate with the City of Batavia Fire Department to accomplish our shared mission of delivering exceptional fire services to our community.

04/27/2026

This past week, Captain Stewart, Firefighters Wahr, Adams, and Fonda, represented TBFD at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) International in Indianapolis. FDIC brings together approximately 40,000 firefighters from around the world for hands-on training, educational sessions, and exposure to the latest advancements from over a thousand exhibitors. Over the course of the week, our members completed more than 100 hours of combined training.

On Monday, beginning at 0530, the team participated in Truck Essentials for Effective and Efficient Outcomes. This hands-on training took place at an acquired two-story wood-frame residential structure converted into split-level apartments. The training focused on critical truck company operations, including forcible entry, roof ventilation, lock breaking, ground ladder deployment, saw operations, and zero-visibility vent-enter-search techniques. The opportunity to train in a real structure is both rare and beyond measure. Building on foundational skills, instructors introduced alternative techniques designed to enhance critical thinking in complex and unpredictable scenarios.

Tuesday began early at 0500, with a two-hour bus ride to the Illinois Fire Service Institute for the RIT Under Fire course. This physically demanding, live-fire training simulates real structure fire conditions while operating as a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT). RIT crews are tasked with rescuing downed firefighters within hazardous environments. Participants practiced firefighter removal and structural collapse operations through multiple high-intensity evolutions under extreme conditions.
Firefighter Lang joined our team from Wednesday through Friday attending classroom sessions. The group spent time in between classes on the exhibit floor exploring innovative tools, equipment, and emerging technologies that continue to shape the future of the fire service.

A special recognition goes to Firefighters Wahr, Adams, and Fonda for completing the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. This tribute honors the 343 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001 and those that have passed since due to illness related to working at the scene. Held at Lucas Oil Stadium, the 110-story climb commemorates the upcoming 25th anniversary of that tragic day. Proceeds from the event benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which supports the families of firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
We extend our appreciation to Captain Stewart and Firefighters Wahr, Adams, Fonda, and Lang for their dedication to training, professional growth, and for bringing valuable knowledge back to our department and the community we serve.

04/19/2026

Lets go Buffalo!

04/19/2026

Come tour the Town of Batavia Fire Department - Station 2 today!

📍 8536 Stringham Dr.
🕚 11 AM – 3 PM

Walk through our station, climb aboard the fire trucks, and learn how we serve our community every day as volunteer firefighters.

If you’re thinking about joining as a volunteer, we offer:

- Free housing through our Bunkin Program
- Discounted phone plans
- Paid training
- Real community involvement

It’s the perfect chance to see what volunteering with us is all about!

04/12/2026

04/12/2026

If you see a Town of Batavia Fire Department, Inc. truck rolling around our district tonight, don't be alarmed. They are covering us tonight while we celebrate our members at our annual awards banquet. 🚒

03/26/2026

A letter to the Bergen and surrounding communities.

We’re running out of people.

This isn’t a problem unique to one town or one firehouse. It’s happening everywhere.

Across our communities, the number of people willing and able to volunteer is shrinking. At the same time, the calls are not slowing down. If anything, they’re increasing. More emergencies. More need. Fewer people stepping forward to meet it.

Inside the firehouse, that reality is already here, and being felt in real ways.

The same names keep showing up. The same group of people answering calls again and again. The list isn’t getting longer. The workload isn’t getting lighter. The workforce isn't getting younger. We’re relying on neighboring departments to fill the gaps, and they’re relying on us to help them more than ever.

This isn’t about the future anymore. This is happening right now.

I won’t sugarcoat it. Joining a volunteer fire department isn't easy, and it takes time. The initial training is demanding. It will interrupt your routine. There will be nights when it’s inconvenient, when it would be easier to stay home, when you question whether you can keep up.

That part is real. But it’s also temporary.

What’s on the other side of that effort is something most people will never experience. You learn how to stay calm when others can’t. You learn how to step into situations people naturally avoid and actually be useful. You gain real skills you use on calls, at home, and in everyday life. And you become part of a group that shows up for their neighbors when they need it most.

It’s rewarding. It’s satisfying. And it makes a difference in your life, and in your community. It changes how you see yourself.

This isn’t about being a certain type of person. It’s not about being the strongest or the fastest. It’s not about having experience or knowing exactly what to do on day one. There are roles for all kinds of people; on the fireground, in EMS, and behind the scenes.

What matters is the willingness to step forward and learn. Men and women. Young adults. Parents. People with full-time jobs and other commitments. People who have thought about it before but never took the first step. You don’t need to be ready for the worst right now. You just need to be willing to start.

Because here’s the truth: The calls will keep coming. They always do. It might be your house. It might be your neighbor. The only question is who will be there to answer them. Will it be you?

If this made you stop for even a second, don’t overthink it. Stop by your local firehouse. Message them. Talk to someone. Sit in on a drill. Ask questions. No pressure. No commitment. Just come see what it’s really about.

Because the hardest part isn’t the training. It’s walking through the door for the first time. But once you're inside, you'll find a world of possibilities. 🚒🚑

- Capt PJ Cummings

03/23/2026

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Bergen Fire Department for stepping up and providing coverage in our district during our annual Installation Banquet last night!

Your team ensured our community remained protected while we gathered to celebrate our members, install new officers, and recognize outstanding service. Events like this are important for morale and tradition, but they wouldn't be possible without reliable mutual aid partners like you.