As Chief of the Department I welcome you to the Bloomington Fire Department Website and Thank You for taking the time to see who we are and what we do.
I’d like to take a few lines and tell you about myself. I was born and raised in Bloomington and became a member of the Department in 1977 at the age of 16 after hanging around the station with my father for a few years prior to 1977. I rose through the ranks of the Department and became Chief on January 1st, 2021. I am retired from the New York State Police after serving 32 years, retiring in 2018 with the rank of Investigator. Prior to becoming a New York State Trooper I served with the Town of Rosendale Police Department as a part time Police Officer for 3 years. I am also currently a Police Commissioner with the Rosendale Police Department since 2019.
My goals are to protect the members of the Department by following Department policies, SOG’s and by-laws such that we can continue to be a professional and well prepared emergency services provider for everyone residing in, operating a business, visiting and passing through our district.
The Bloomington Fire Department is proud of our history and serves the residents and visitors to the Hamlets of Bloomington, Binnewater and Eddyville as well as travelers passing through the district on the New York State Thruway. Our main station is located at 14 Taylor St. in the Hamlet of Bloomington and our second station is located at 48 Sawdust Ave. in the Hamlet of Binnewater.
We have training every Thursday evening beginning at 7:00 PM at the Bloomington Station. Our General Business meetings beginning at 8:00 PM the first Tuesday of every month at the Bloomington Station.
Our Department is involved in much more than just fire and emergency medical services for the community. We participate in the Adopt A Highway Program, transport Santa around the district each year before Christmas, hold the Commitment to Kids toy raising event each year for local children, fund raising with an annual raffle gives out awards over $11,000.00 at the event, food truck events during the summer in our parking lot with bands and games as well as working with local groups assisting with traffic and medical posts for area running and bicycling events. I am proud of our Department and their continued support and involvement to our Community.
Our Department also works hard at recruitment and retention of members with a Length of Service Awards Retirement Program. If you have ever thought about joining the volunteer fire service and you're just not sure if you have what it takes please feel free to contact us, visit one of our stations, talk with some of our members, see what we do and fill out an application if you wish. There is always a need for help and there is a job for everyone.
Sincerely,
Joseph A. Hafner Jr., Chief of Department
Total Runs - 205
Top Ten Responders
Firefighter Joe Hafner Sr. 170
Chief Joe Hafner Jr. 164
Asst. Chief Ernie Navarra 130
Asst. Chief Mike Schabot 116
Lt. Ray Stegner 116
Past Chief Kevin Keller 113
Firefighter Josh Hintz 88
Firefighter Byran Brainard 83
Firefighter Paul Hintz 79
Lt. John Lane 74
President: Mike Schabot
Vice President: Brian Phillips
Secretary: Joe Hafner Sr.
Treasurer: Kevin Keller
Directors: Fred Harries
Alan Brown
Rebecca Stokes
Katelyn Stokes
Will Stokes
Chaplain: Rev. Nick Miles
Chief: Joe Hafner Jr.
Chief : Joe Hafner Jr.
Asst. Chief: Mike Schabot
Asst. Chief: Ernie Navarra
Asst. Chief: Will Stokes
Capt: Brian Phillips
Capt: Alan Brown
Lt: Douglas Tierney
Lt: John Lane
Lt: Joe Hafner III
Lt: Ray Stegner
Lt: Dan Wood
EMS Lt: Patty Vincent
Fire Police Capt: Roger Peck
Members should be reminded that invitations to our annual dinner will be given out based on participation at department calls, training, meetings and activities in an attempt to keep the cost of this event down.
The Bloomington Fire Department takes great pride in trying to operate within a budget that we feel provides the residents of the fire district with the best protection for the lowest cost to our community. During the course of each year we run several fund raisers which supplement our budget and help us get through the year. In the event that anyone would like to make a donation to us, or in memory of a friend or loved one, please feel free to mail your donation to: Bloomington Fire Department, PO Box 111, Bloomington, NY 12411.
All members are urged to use the I AM RESPONDING PROGRAM to notify the department that they are on their way to calls.
We Mourn the Loss of Ladies Auxiliary Life Member Elsa Mosher who passed on June 17, 2022. Visitation will be Saturday, June 25, 2022, from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home, 27 Smith Ave., Kingston, NY. A funeral Service will follow at 1:00 PM at the funeral home and Internment will follow at 1:45 PM at Wiltwyck Rural Cemetery, 205 W. O'Reilly Street, Kingston, NY.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of contributions to The Bloomington Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, PO Box 223, Bloomington, NY, 12411.
President Deb Tierney
Vice President Rita Schabot
Secretary Lori Woolsey
Treasurer Sue Peck
We mourn the loss of Life Member Charles A. Phillips who passed on May 26, 2021, Father of Capt. Brian Phillips and Grandfather of Firefighter Katie Phillips. Services were held privately at the convenience of the family.
We mourn the loss of Life Member, current Director, Past Commissioner and Past Assistant Chief Mike "Pop" Hines. Visitation will take place at the George Moylan Funeral Home, Route 32, Rosendale, Friday June 18, 2021 from 5:00 PM till 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM, Saturday June 19, 2021 at the Moylan Funeral Home followed by interment at the Rosendale Plains Cemetery. All members are requested to meet at the Bloomington Station 06/18/21 in full dress uniform or appropriate attire at 6:45pm then proceed to the funeral home to pay last respects. All members are also requested to meet at the Bloomington Station 06/19/21 in full dress uniform or appropriate attire at 9:15am then proceed to the funeral home for funeral services.
All members should be aware that effective January 2017 there are new requirements to maintain an active membership classification. All members are required to attend at least three (3) regular general business meetings, (If you cannot make a meeting contact the President prior to the meeting), attend all mandatory training and respond to at least ten (10) percent of the yearly alarms. One who does not meet these minimum requirements will be reclassified as INACTIVE. Once reclassified as INACTIVE the member will be required to return all department issued equipment to their respective stations and will not be permitted to respond to alarms or have a vote at any meetings. The INACTIVE classification will be in effect for a minimum period of three (3) months and the INACTIVE member may request to be returned to an ACTIVE classification by a written request to the department after the 3 month period has been completed.
The Bloomington Fire Department is a 100% Volunteer Organization. As times have changed, as with most Volunteer Fire Departments our membership has dwindled. We are always in need of new members. If you would like to join us or just stop by and see if you would be interested in joining, we are at the station every Thursday evening at 7:00PM. Feel free to stop by or call us at 845-338-2794, leave a message and we will get back with you.
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