The Bath Volunteer Fire Department

05/04/2026

***** PRESS RELEASE *****
***** Correction made to the type of building *****

At 3:31am on May 4, Bath Fire was dispatched to the scene of a fully involved structure fire on Selleck Rd. Multiple calls coming from the highway and other passerby confirmed the fire. Chief Mike Fiordo was the first unit on scene reporting a fully working Structure Fire. He called for Mutual Aid from the Bath VA, and tankers from Savona and Kanona. Crews stretched 3 hand lines to the structure to suppress the fire. Additional manpower from Hammondsport and Campbell was requested to the scene. Avoca Fire was asked to establish a fill site at the Haverling Bus Garage, as well as to standby for the Bath VA. The fire was reported under control around 5:41am. The Fire Investigation team was called to the scene, no injuries were reported.

ALL UNITS WERE CLEAR AND BACK IN SERVICE AT 6:48am.

Special thanks to the Bath VA, Savona, Kanona, Hammondsport, Avoca and Bath Ambulance.

Photo credit: John Walczak

05/04/2026

Today is National Firefighters Day
Thank them when you see one.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1LMcUFnmSU/

Today, we honor the brave.

Behind every alarm is a firefighter ready to run toward danger… when everyone else is running away.

They don’t ask who you are.
They don’t hesitate.
They just show up. Every single time.

Courage in the face of fear.
Honor in every action.
Sacrifice beyond words.

To all firefighters around the world, thank you for protecting lives, homes, and futures.

You are the reason many get a second chance.

👇 Tag a firefighter or drop a 🔥 to show respect.

04/27/2026

*** Press Release ***

On Monday April 27th at 11:37am, Bath Fire along with Automatic Mutual Aid from the Bath VA were dispatched to 100 Howell St for reports of a possible structure fire, with smoke coming from the attic. Chief Mike Fiordo was first on scene reporting nothing showing from the outside. Bath Engine 7 arrive shortly after and interior crews made their way inside to the top floor. Firefighters were able to confirm that a small electrical fire burning in the attic was indeed the cause of the smoke. The fire was extinguished and under control at 12:37pm. The fire department would like to thank the Bath VA for their assistance and Bath PD for helping with traffic control. As well as Bath Ambulance who was on scene. All Bath Units were back in service at 12:46pm.

Photo credit: Mark Phillipson

04/25/2026

**** ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY ****

150 Years Ago, April 25, 1876, the Gilmore House (hotel) on the corner of Liberty and E. William Streets, Bath, New York
The alarm was sounded at 2:30 am, April 25, 1876 and so rapid was the progress of the flames that in 15 minutes the whole building was a mass of flames which lit the whole town.
The fire originated in a storeroom, and when the door was burst open by Mr. Jones, the proprietor and bar-keeper, it made such progress that their unaided efforts were without avail. The alarm was given and the borders were aroused from their slumber, some by shrieks of terrified women, some by the crackling of the flames, and others by the suffocating smoke which rolled along halls and penetrated through the transom windows and cracks of the doors into the rooms. There are about 25 boarders in the hotel, and a few had time to escape with anything except the clothes they had worn the day before. One was compelled to jump from the second story window, and another was taken from the roof of a porch by ladder from the Hook and Ladder Company.
Mr. William H. Hellings, the owner of the hotel, occupied rooms on the second floor and on being awakened, ran into the street and gave the alarm. Returning to his room for his wife and child they soon found the escape by the staircase was cut-off. He was preparing to lower his wife to the ground by a rope, when the Hook and Ladder Company came to his rescue with the ladder. The family was safely landed on the ground.
Mr. Jones attempted to return to his room by means of a ladder to rescue some valuables and personal affects, but after scorching his hair and mustache considered it would be safer to retreat.
Whenever the fire alarm sounded all eyes instinctively turned to the Gilmore house. Given its location and the pile of tinder like materials surrounding the building is seemed only a matter of time till its doom. This fire may have been a target of the incendiary which had been rampant the past six months.

MINUTES OF THE RESCUE HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY
The Steuben Courier, Wednesday 4/26/1876

*All information and Photos are assembled by: Greg Glashauser, Historian for the Bath Volunteer Fire Department*

04/20/2026

🎉🔥 FINAL BINGO OF THE FIRST HALF IS HERE! 🔥🎉

The Bath Volunteer Fire Department is wrapping up the first half of our 2026 Bingo season TOMORROW — Monday, April 20th!

🕠 Doors Open: 5:30 PM
🎯 Games Start: 7:00 PM

Come out for a great night of fun, prizes, and community!

💵 Game Info:
Admission Board – $2.00
Extra Boards – $0.50
5-Up Special – $2.50
50/50 Early Bird – $1.00
Jackpot – $2.00

🍔 Food, snacks, and drinks available for purchase

⚠️ Must be 18 years or older to play

This is your last chance before the summer break, so grab your friends, bring your lucky charm, and let’s pack the hall!

💥 Don’t miss it — we’ll see you there! 💥

04/19/2026

Our RecruitNY campaign had ended for the weekend.. in total, we had 1 filled out application, 2 applications taken home to be brought back later 🤞and a couple kids run through our Junior-Junior obstacle course.

What is keeping you from joining your local fire department?
What concerns or fears do you have about volunteering as a firefighter?
How does our department come across to you from the outside?
Do you feel you have enough information about what we do? If not, what would you want to know?
These are questions we ask because with membership numbers dropping, we as a Community Service Provider want to know in what ways we can increase membership.

If you missed the weekend open house.. the good news is our firehouse is always open on Tuesday nights atarting around 6pm as those are our usual drill nights. If you're interested, and missed yesterday or today, you always welcome then.

04/19/2026

The weather never stops us from responding, which means it doesnt stop us from recruiting. Stop down today foe the last day of RecruitNY from 10-5 if you are interested in helping your community, talk to some od the volunteers, try some things and fill out an application if you feel inclined to do so. We can definitely use your help, and there is a job for anyone ages 14+!!!

04/18/2026

04/17/2026

🚨 WE NEED YOU. YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS YOU. 🚨

Ever thought about becoming a firefighter?

This is your chance to do something that actually matters. To be the one who shows up when others can’t. To make a difference when it counts most.

🔥 No experience? No problem — we provide training
🔥 Flexible schedules — serve when you can
🔥 Build lifelong friendships & be part of a family
🔥 Gain real skills that carry into everyday life
🔥 Protect your neighbors, your town, your people

Right now, volunteer fire departments everywhere are in need of dedicated men and women willing to step up.

You don’t have to be a hero to start…
But you might become one along the way.

🚒 Join us April 18th and 19th from 10am-5pm. Stand up. Make a difference.

Message us today or stop by the station to learn more.

04/15/2026

Special Weather Statement issued April 15 at 6:30PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
At 629 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Howard, or 8 miles east of Hornell, moving east at 40 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Locations impacted include... Corning, Bath, Campbell, Urbana, Painted Post, Hornby, Tyrone, Howard, Thurston, and Wheeler.
Sent from the Ready Steuben app