Schoharie County OES

06/01/2026

Let’s get these classes filled 🙌🏻🫡🙌🏻 Training opportunities coming up soon!

05/19/2026

The FY 2025 AFG, SAFER, and FP&S grant application periods open tomorrow, with applications due by June 22.

These federal funding opportunities can help departments strengthen operations, improve safety, and better serve their communities.

🚒 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)
Supports departments with funding for PPE, turnout gear, SCBA, equipment, apparatus, training, and wellness initiatives.

👨‍🚒 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER)
Helps departments increase or maintain staffing levels and supports volunteer recruitment and retention activities.

🔥 Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S)
Supports fire prevention and education efforts, community risk reduction programs, and firefighter safety research initiatives.

Find more information and learn how to apply here: https://buff.ly/PAttGFl

Need help preparing your application? Check out the NVFC Virtual Classroom for grant-related training and resources: https://buff.ly/cfXtGyB

05/18/2026

The Interior Firefighting Operations/SCBA – Firefighter 1 course finished up on Saturday May 16. Students completed 50 hours of training. Before taking this course, students had to complete the BEFO (Basic Exterior Firefighting Operations) course which is 79 hours. These courses are held two evenings a week and some Saturdays. We thank and congratulate the graduates.
The curriculum is developed and delivered by NYS DHSES Office of Fire Prevention and Control Fire Instructors. Schoharie County’s instructors are all local fire service veterans.
Supporting the hands on portions of the course held at the Schoharie County Fire Training Center were Schoharie County Office of Emergency Services EMS branch, as well as all of the fire departments who had students in the class and Central Bridge Fire Department who stepped up even though they had no students in the class. Departments provide their apparatus at each evolution.
A & M Towing and Recovery graciously provided the vehicles to burn for the vehicle fire evolution, as they have for many years.
Class 01-05-0102-586 Schoharie County IFO Spring 2026
Michael Berfield (Grand Gorge), Nick Mackey (East Worcester), Tom Buel (Asst. Instructor), Dean Johnson (Esperance), Brandan Buel (Conesville), Brian Brousseau (Carlisle), Evan Eichler (East Worcester), Xavier Semel-Defeo (East Worcester), Madilyn Chiavetta-Perrott (Cobleskill), Bryan McFadden (Sharon Springs), Andrew Tator (Lead Instructor), Aiden Billings (Conesville), Jason Fessel (Richmondville), Gavin VanEtten (Stamford), Todd Funk (Stamford), Jake Van Cleef (Stamford), Amber DeLaet (West Fulton), Tim James (Huntersland), Josh Graham (Cobleskill)...Instructors not pictured: Mike Boomhower, Mike Walsh, Dan Minalga, Theresa Brown, Cody Whittaker, Lindsey Tibbitts, Chris Degnan.

05/13/2026

Today we pause to remember fallen
Firefighter Jeffrey Howell, 42
Sharon Springs Fire Department. On May 13, 2004. Firefighter Howell and members of his fire department were fighting a fire in a residence on Gilberts Corners Road when he suffered a fatal heart attack. Firefighter Howell arrived ahead of responding fire apparatus and helped the occupants of the house remove personal belongings. Upon the arrival of fire apparatus, Firefighter Howell donned his personal protective equipment and assisted with the deployment of hose lines from an engine.

05/05/2026

The first 5 feet around your home is the most important wildfire defense zone. If it touches your house, it can ignite your house.

Keep your family and your home fire safe - Check your 5!

04/30/2026

Today we pause to remember fallen firefighter Dwight L. Seaton of the Summit Fire Department. Dwight died in the line of duty of a heart attack on April 30, 1972 while fighting a brush fire at the Dr. Bohn farm.

04/23/2026

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/supporting-first-responders-governor-hochul-announces-expansion-new-yorks-volunteer?fbclid=IwdGRjcARWUA1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeWOgjx4gjtdUIqcK6KcCYBplGyd3d0hYhXdqBm1QULHQ6W3b-s3bP1t_DZNg_aem_a12MGlllNdhfF2cM9orRzw

Governor Hochul announced New York’s Volunteer Firefighter Training Stipend program is expanding to offset costs for five additional training courses available to volunteer firefighters.

04/21/2026

What would you do? 🔥🚒 Let’s fill this class. 🙌🏻

04/20/2026

We’re sending out this reminder for the upcoming class for Battery Emergencies and Electrical Storage Systems being taught at the Cobleskill Fire Station on Thursday May 7, 2026, at 6:30 PM, by full time NYS DHSES OFPC staff.

04/02/2026

As we continue on as First Responders let’s not forget those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. We honor James Weaver, Captain of the Gallupville Fire Department, who made that sacrifice while running the pump at a brush fire on this date in 1995. “Jimmy” thank you and your family for allowing us to know you and learn from you. Rest easy brother, we’ve got it from here.