Potsdam Fire Department

06/22/2026

Potsdam Fire Department trains on water supply

Firefighters from Potsdam spent the evening conducting water supply operations training, focusing on establishing and maintaining a continuous water supply from municipal hydrants to support fireground operations.

Crews practiced hydrant hookups and supplying an engine before relaying water to the Tower for elevated master stream operations. Members also reviewed the deployment and operation of several water application devices, including:

• Deck gun operations
• Blitz gun setup and utilization
• Tower master stream operations
• Water curtain deployment and application

Training evolutions such as these reinforce pump operations, water distribution, and master stream proficiency, ensuring personnel remain prepared to effectively manage high-volume water delivery during emergency incidents.

Units: E-80 (S. Davis), T-5 (J. Kozak)

https://www.potsdamfire.org/news/911/Potsdam-Fire-Department-trains-on-water-supply

06/22/2026

Major storm brings multiple calls

Potsdam Fire ran a total of 11 calls from on June 18 with 10 of them between 3:50pm-8:50pm. A large storm hit Potsdam and a Tornado watch was issued. These calls ranged from power lines down to trees on power lines, fire alarms, trees on houses, and traffic control for intersections without power. Thank you to the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputies for assistance with traffic control and to National Grid for getting power back to the area quickly.

Units: E-48 (R. Crowe/B. McCluskey), R-14 (B. Andrus), R-30 (S.Allen)

https://www.potsdamfire.org/news/913/Major-storm-brings-multiple-calls

06/17/2026

Heavy Rain Contributes To Increased Call Volume

Heavy rains in the north country contributed to Potsdam Fire Department running 12 pump details or flood related incidents and 4 fire alarms related to leaks or water damage. E-48 handled fire alarms throughout the afternoon while R-30 delivered sump pumps or heavy duty pumps to numerous areas to assist on water removal.

Please use this as a friendly reminder to check/maintain your sump pump and stay prepared.

Units: E-48 (S. Grant / B. McCluskey)
R-30 (M. Maroney / S. Allen)

https://www.potsdamfire.org/news/912/Heavy-Rain-Contributes-To-Increased-Call-Volume

06/17/2026

Electrical Fire at Town & Country

Potsdam Fire, Potsdam Rescue, and County Car 10 were dispatched to a possible electrical fire at Town and Country Vet Clinic on U.S. Highway 11 on June 12 at 2:08pm. Upon arrival our engine crew found an outlet had burnt out. There were no civilian or fire fighter injuries related to this incident. Potsdam Fire was back in service at 2:59pm.

Units: E-80 (J. Keleher)

https://www.potsdamfire.org/news/910/Electrical-Fire-at-Town--Country-

06/11/2026

Fire at Lawrence Avenue Apartments

At 12:57 pm, Potsdam Fire was dispatched to a fire alarm activation at 3 Debra Drive. Engine 48 was enroute immediately, staffed by Fire Driver Robar, and Captain Andrus, followed shortly after by Rescue 14 Chauffeured by Firefighter J. Corbett. As Engine 48 was arriving, dispatch advised that there was a fire in an apartment that staff was attempting to put out. Engine 48 arrived and advised there was light smoke showing from a window. Captain Andrus entered the building and located a fire on top of a stove that had extended up into the vent fan, and cupboard area. Fire was contained due to quick thinking by building maintenance personnel who used an extinguisher on the fire.

Firefighters checked for extension, performed overhaul, and ventilation.

Potsdam Fire was back in service at 2:05pm.

Please use this as a friendly reminder not to store any contents on your stove top or any other surface that gets hot.

Units: E-48 (J. Robar), R-14 (J. Corbett)

https://www.potsdamfire.org/news/909/Fire-at-Lawrence-Avenue-Apartments

06/09/2026

Vehicle Fire in Lowe's parking lot

On Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 12:58 PM, Potsdam Fire, Potsdam Rescue and County Car 10 were dispatched to a reported vehicle fire threatening other vehicles in the parking lot of Lowe's. Engine 48 along with Engine 80 responded immediately, and arrived on scene in 4 minutes to find a working vehicle fire that had extended into another vehicle. Firefighters deployed a handline and extinguished the fire.

No injuries reported, Potsdam Fire was back in service at 1:54 PM

Assisting on scene were Potsdam Rescue. Potsdam Police Department, St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Department and the New York State Police.

https://www.potsdamfire.org/news/908/Vehicle-Fire-in-Lowes-parking-lot

06/08/2026

Potsdam Fire responds to a CO Poisoning Call

At 0649 Potsdam Fire, Potsdam Rescue and SLC Car #10 responded to a call on SH 11B for 3 people with possible CO Poisoning. Potsdam Fire Engine #48 was enroute at time of call and arrived a couple minutes later, finding all 3 people out of the camper at that time. Potsdam Fire personnel assisted Potsdam Rescue with getting all 3 people ready for transport to the hospital.

After Potsdam Fire personnel checked the camper for CO levels, at that time found extremely high readings. Potsdam Fire personnel ventilated the camper. Potsdam Fire was back in service at 0737.

"This is a reminder, when using a generator, make sure it is away from any structures, the wind direction is going away from any structures, and that you have CO detectors and Smoke detectors in all structures, including campers. They do Save Lives! "

Units: E-48 (Fire Driver McCluskey); R-14 (FF Farnsworth)

https://www.potsdamfire.org/news/907/Potsdam-Fire-responds-to-a-CO-Poisoning-Call

06/08/2026

Come and see us during Potsdam’s Summer Fest!

06/01/2026

In Memoriam

The department extends its condolences to the family of Honor Roll member Thomas Russell. Tom passed away on May 28, 2026, in Toms River, New Jersey. He served with the fire department from August 18, 1970, to August 1, 1994. Tom is survived by his children, five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. In accordance with his wishes, no services are scheduled at this time.

The department extends its condolences to the family of Honor Roll member Thomas Russell. Tom passed away on May 28, 2026, in Toms River, New Jersey. He served with the fire department from August 18, 1970, to August 1, 1994. Tom is survived by his children, five grandchildren, and six great-grandch...

06/01/2026

Potsdam Firefighters Visit Potsdam High School

On May 27th, members of the Potsdam Fire Department visited the Potsdam High School and spoke with students about how to become a member of a volunteer fire department. Members provided applications to students interested in joining the Potsdam Fire Department as well as our surrounding fire departments.

The Potsdam Fire Department would like to thank staff at the Potsdam High School for allowing us the opportunity to visit, as well as the students who stopped and took time out of their day to learn more about the volunteer fire service.

https://www.potsdamfire.org/news/905/Potsdam-Firefighters-Visit-Potsdam-High-School-