Canisteo Fire Company

06/08/2026

Today, with heavy hearts, we answered one final call for one of our own.

We laid to rest Don Merring, a dedicated firefighter, brother, and friend whose years of service left a lasting impact on this department, our county, and the community he so faithfully served. Don answered every call with courage, commitment, and compassion, always putting others before himself.

We are forever grateful for his service, his sacrifice, and the example he set for all who had the privilege to serve alongside him.

During this difficult time, we would also like to extend our sincere thanks to our neighboring fire departments and emergency service partners for their assistance, support, and brotherhood. Your presence and kindness have been a source of strength and comfort to our members and Don's family.

Though his final alarm has sounded, Don's legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of those he served and the firefighters who follow in his footsteps.

Rest easy, Don. We've got it from here.

06/05/2026

It is with great sadness that the Canisteo Fire Department and the Steuben County Office of Emergency Services announce the passing of Life Member, Past Chief and former Emergency Services Director Don Merring. Don was a member of Canisteo Fire Department for 66 years. He served as Director of Emergency Services from 1985 until 1995.

Calling Hours will be Sunday 06/7/2026 from 1-4 at the Canisteo Fire Station. A Firefighter Walkthrough is scheduled for 12:30.

The Funeral will be held on Monday 6/8/2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Canisteo Fire Station

Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery – There will be No Apparatus Processional due to distance between fire station and the cemetery.

CANISTEO: Donald S. “Don” Merring, 90, of East Main Street, passed away peacefully at his home on June 3, 2026. Don was born January 9th, 1936 in Corning, NY to Robert and Esther (Mossberg) Merring. Don graduated from Canisteo Central School in 1953 and dedicated his life to serving his family, ...

04/18/2026

We want to thank everyone for their support today for our raffle and bingo!

We will be doing bingo in the future and hope to see you all!

04/18/2026

Come on down today from 2-6 for a fun filled day at our Cabin Fever Raffle! Tickets will be available at the door!!

04/10/2026

Happy National Sibling Day 👨‍🚒👮‍♂️
Every family has that one “little brother”…
Ours just happens to carry handcuffs instead of hoses.

All jokes aside, we couldn’t ask for a better department to work alongside.
From traffic control and chaotic scenes to helping us on medical calls, they always have our backs and we’ve got theirs.

Stay safe out there (and try to keep up 😉)
Canisteo Police Department

04/09/2026

Have you?

04/08/2026

When you call 911… someone has to respond.

Volunteer firefighters make up nearly 65% of all firefighters in the US, they leave their homes, their families, their lives, at any hour, any day, 365 days a year.

But fewer and fewer people are stepping up.

Since 2008, the volunteer fire service has lost nearly 25% of it's members nationwide, NYS has lost nearly 40% of it's volunteers in that same timeframe. All while call volume has increased nearly 70% since 2008.
We have fewer firefighters and EMT's than ever… handling more calls than ever.

If this continues… who will come when you need help?

03/08/2026

Friendly reminder as we come into spring
In accordance with New York State regulations, open burning is prohibited during this period.

Prohibited Activities Include:
• Burning of lawn debris
• Burning of grass or leaves
• Burning of tree limbs or brush
• Burning of construction or building materials

Permitted Exceptions:

Recreational fires are allowed only when using charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, and unpainted wood.

Permitted recreational fires include:

• Campfires
• Small cooking fires
• Outdoor fires less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width, or diameter
• Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires (including flag or religious item disposal), provided they are not otherwise prohibited by law or regulation

As always, be safe!

01/18/2026

Pancake breakfast, today from 8-11!!

12/11/2025

We offer our sympathy and condolences to the family of Matt, he was a fantastic firefighter, friend, father and husband. Rest easy Matt, we will take it from here.

Matthew David Merring, 29, died unexpectedly from heart complications on December 7th, 2025, at Strong Memorial Hospital, surrounded by family and friends. Matt was born on March 3rd, 1996 in Hornell, NY to Lynda and Dana Merring. He became so much more than a son, He was a loving father, husband and brother. He was everybody’s best friend.
Matt was a force of nature that you could always hear coming. He lived his life exactly the way he wanted, he said what he thought freely, openly, and often, but was never hurtful. He wanted to know what you thought, and he cared about what mattered to you. Matt had this ability to see people. He loved his friends and family completely. He saw their flaws, knew they were ridiculous, and loved them anyway. He overcame so much in his life and never let it define him. He worked hard at everything he did, was always up to something, and LOVED telling you all about it.
Matt’s family was everything to him. He met Stephanie in 2018, and they were off to the races building a life together. He loved his kids, Olivia, Ryder, and McKinlee, and the big, loud, messy, perfect life they built together in their home in the woods in South Hornell. It was just them, 2dogs, 2 cats, 48 chickens, and 9 ducks, taking on the world together.
Matt belonged outside. He studied Conservation Law Enforcement at Finger Lakes Community College, graduating in 2017. He went on to work for DN Tanks, Meyers RV, and eventually built his career as a Wind Turbine Technician at Siemens Energy. In his personal time, Matt was a volunteer firefighter with the South Hornell Fire Company, serving with them for 13 years. He loved spending time with his family, being outdoors, hunting, fishing, and drinking a beer at Keuka lake. He just wanted to be outside, goofing around with everyone he loved.
Matt is survived by his loving wife Stephanie, and his three children Olivia, Ryder, and McKinlee, who he loved fiercely; his parents Lynda and Dana Merring; his sister Amanda, brother-in-law Cody, and their children Rylie, Blake, Spencer and Theodore Gray; his grandparents Katharine and David Holsopple; his grandfather Donald Merring and his wife Betty; his in-laws Christina and James Rawleigh, and brother-in-law Ty; several aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends. Matt was preceded in death by his grandmother Marcia Merring.
Please join us in celebrating Matt’s life. Arrangements have been made by Bender- Brown & and Powers Funeral Home on Canisteo St. Hornell. Calling hours are scheduled for Saturday December 13th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm with the funeral immediately following.
To send a remembrance please www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com or on Facebook @ Brown Powers FH.