BLOOMINGTON FIRE DEPT.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WARNINGS FOR ULSTER COUNTY

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FIRE WARNING MAP

CLICK HERE: ULSTER COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES NEWS FEED

By DAILY FREEMAN |

PUBLISHED: May 29, 2023 at 1:11 p.m. | UPDATED: May 29, 2023 at 1:53 p.m.

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. — The Police Chiefs Association of Ulster County last week honored local law enforcement personnel and first responders along with civilians, businesses and organizations that served their communities admirably.

Meritorious Police Service: Heroism/Teamwork

Rosendale Police Officer Erich Funccius, New York State Police Trooper Benjamin Strickland and Lt. Joseph Hafner III and Lt. John Lane of the Bloomington Fire Department.

On Aug 18, 2022, at approximately 4:48 PM, the Rosendale Police Department, Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police and the Bloomington Fire Department were dispatched to Williams Lake in the Town of Rosendale for a water emergency.

The responding units found Carol Smith, 81, of New York City had gone underwater while swimming and did not resurface. Funccius, Strickland, Hafner and Lane immediately entered the water and began a rescue search. Smith was located 30 feet away from shore in deep water and rescued.

First responders began CPR and eventually a pulse was restored and she was brought to a hospital.

Smith later died while in the hospital, but the actions of Funccius, Strickland, Hafner and Lane gave loved ones a chance to say goodbye to her.

BRUSH FIRE AT WILLIAMS LAKE NOV. 10, 2022

Yesterday about 3:15pm we were dispatched for a brush/woods fire on the Williams Lake Project property off Williams Lake road. On arrival there was approximately 5 acres burning with a wind coming out of the southwest pushing the fire deeper into the forest. Mutual aid was requested from Rosendale, Stone Ridge, St. Remy, Tillson, High Falls and New Paltz Fire Departments. We were also assisted by Ed Garland Construction utilizing a bulldozer to construct a fire line around the east, north and west ends of the fire. The Town of Rosendale Police Department, Ulster County Sheriffs Department, New York State Police, and the Ulster County Fire Coordinator’s Office also assisted at the scene. Our Ladies Auxiliary responded to the scene to provide refreshments for crews and we were back in service at 8:16pm. Approximately 25 acres of rough terrain was scorched by flames and there were no injuries. Thank You to all that assisted and anyone that would like to join our department please call 845-338-2794, leave a message and we’ll be sure to contact you.

Structure Fire on Old Lucas Turnpike June 10, 2021 at 2157hrs

PIAA Car-Pole with 3 people injured on Route 32 by Rockwell Lane October 1, 2020.

Landing Zone for Tractor Trailer Tanker Rollover on Creek Locks Road - Monday July 20, 2020

PIAA car rolled over into cemetery just south of station on March 4, 2020

Downed Pole and wires from the Oct 29, 2019 wind and rain storm:

I would like to extend our sincere thanks to our Members and assisting Mutual Aid Companies for the quick stop at our structure fire at 530 Hickory Bush Rd. The initial dispatch said there was smoke coming from the roof, upon arrival that was in fact the case. Heavy smoke was rolling down from the eves and attic vents.  A second alarm was immediately called for bringing an Engine from Kingston Fire and a Fast Team from Ulster Hose to the scene. Our Engine 1, Engine 2 and Engine 3, Tankers from Tillson and Rosendale operated at the scene, and a Engine from St Remy went to the fill site. Hurley and Spring Lake stood by at the Bloomington station, Stone Ridge at the Binnewater station. Soon after, Ulster Hose was called for a Tower Ladder to the scene to assist in roof ventilation, and Stone Ridge was then called for their Fast Team. After initial attack and the fire was out, all companies assisted in getting all equipment back in service. The UC Fire Investigation Unit determined the fire started in the attic and was electrical in nature. We were also assisted at the scene by Rosendale Police, NY State Police and Mobile Life. The home owner was not at home at the time of the fire and we had no injuries. A total of 8 Mutual Aid Companies and approx. 60 personnel were involved. We would also like to thank the Bloomington Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary for providing refreshments.

STRUCTURE FIRE CREEK LOCKS ROAD JAN 31, 2019 / OUTSIDE TEMP 2 DEGREES

We would like to give a big reach out to all our Mutual Aid Companies for assisting us with Working Fire in sub ZERO temperature a great stop was made initially by the first arriving crews, however overhaul proved to be a challenge. Thank you to all involved. A brief scenario as to the workings of the night, at approx. 930 PM we were dispatched for a Structure Fire, in the Back Room upon arrival heavy smoke was observed out the front door and the eves and second floor and fire was visible in the rear first floor, a second alarm was immediately called for. At this time it was apparent the Home Owner had suffered burns and severe smoke inhalation initially treated by us until Mobile Life arrived on scene eventually had to be Air Lifted to Westchester Medical Center via AIR 2. Aside from our Department with all equipment we were assisted on scene by Kingston FD, Rosendale FD, Tillson FD , St Remy FD and Ulster Hose FD, Companies on Stand by were Hurley FD , Spring Lake FD at the Bloomington station, Stone Ridge FD at the Binnewater Station . and the Town of Rosendale Highway salt truck. Central Hudson had arrived and killed the power Investigators on scene believed the fire was accidental , a total of 9 departments with approx. 75 firefighters were on scene for 4 hours and other than the extreme cold there were no injuries, and last but not least thank you Ladies Aux for the hot coffee and hot chocolate cant thank everyone enough, be safe all. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       This morning we responded to a tree and wires down on the roadway on Creek Locks road. On arrival we found an occupied  vehicle around the bend that had one of the primary lines wrapped around the vehicle. Fortunately the New York State Police and Rosendale Police at the scene advised the sole occupant to remain calm and remain in the vehicle. Central Hudson and Ulster County DOT responded and made sure the wires were safe, the wires were removed and the motorist was on her way.

     Bloomington Firefighters at the Sam's Point Preserve Wildfire April 27, 2016

ULSTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE MICHAEL HEIN PROCLAIMING MARCH, 7, 2015 AS 'JOE HAFNER SR. DAY' IN HONOR OF JOE'S 60 YEARS OF FIREMATIC SERVICE TO THE BLOOMINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT AND COMMUNITY.