Golden's Bridge Fire Department

05/24/2026

Update from the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department… Monday’s (May 25th) Memorial Day Ceremony at the Golden’s Bridge Firehouse IS STILL ON!😊 It will be held indoors and start promptly at 9:35 a.m. However, the parade is canceled 😞 due to the inclement weather that is forecasted for the morning. But please still attend!There will be a wonderful ceremony and program of terrific participants, speakers, presentations, and performances - and delicious refreshments immediately following! Hope to still see you there tomorrow! Again, inside the Golden’s Bridge Firehouse with a start time of 9:35 a.m.

05/24/2026

The Golden’s Bridge Fire Department responded to a rapidly evolving emergency Wednesday (May 20) afternoon after initially being dispatched at 3:16 p.m. to reports of downed power lines and a brush fire at Green Hill Road and Green Lane, the roads behind the Mercedes-Benz dealership on Route 22.
But Golden’s Bridge firefighters swiftly transitioned from brush fire operations to structure fire suppression when they noticed thick black smoke billowing from a section of the roof of the newly constructed Mercedes-Benz building. Command on scene upgraded the emergency to an active structure fire at 4:06 p.m., triggering mutual aid response from fire services of surrounding Northern Westchester towns.

Investigators from the Cause and Origin Team of the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services later determined that the initial dispatch escalated to an electrical fire on the roof of the Mercedes building as a result of an electrical supply failure caused by the downed power lines, which had been toppled by a large tree limb. This also ignited the brush fire.

Firefighters had to wait for NYSEG emergency crews to arrive on scene and cut power before they could attack both the brush and structure fires, according to Golden’s Bridge fire officials, noting that water on an electrical fire is extremely dangerous to firefighters. Isolating electricity became the priority, according to officials, to prevent electrocution hazards.

Further complicating the incident was a backup generator supplying power to air conditioning units that caught fire on the roof of the Mercedes facility. That power source also had to be isolated before firefighters could attack the roof fire.
When they arrived on scene, firefighters encountered a burning utility pole and live power lines ablaze on the ground. Before suppression operations could begin, command immediately contacted NYSEG requesting that electrical power be shut down.

After noticing thick black smoke rising from the roof of the Mercedes building, command transmitted to the dispatch control center that a 10-75, code for active structure fire, was in progress and requested mutual aid assistance. The building was evacuated immediately after crews observed the exterior smoke conditions.

Golden’s Bridge Fire Department officials said firefighters rapidly transitioned tactics from brush fire to structure fire operations. Crews geared up with self-contained breathing apparatus and various hand tools, including axes, Halligan bars, and hand lines. They placed extension ladders against the building to be ready to attack the roof fire as soon as they received the all-clear that electrical power sources were shut down and the roof and ground were no longer energized.
During the incident, a transformer on nearby Old Bedford Rd. on the west side of Interstate 684 caught fire due to shifted electrical load conditions, according to fire officials.

Firefighters also had to contend with severe thunderstorms moving through the area during the operation. Mother Nature got an assist for helping mutual aid departments suppress the brush fire.
The Golden’s Bridge Fire Department responded with a tanker, rescue, and three engines. Mutual aid assistance was provided by South Salem Fire Department, Croton Falls Fire Department, and ladder trucks from Katonah Fire Department and Bedford Hills Fire Department. Vista and Somers Fire Department covered emergency calls in the Golden’s Bridge Fire District that were dispatched, including the transformer fire on Old Bedford Rd., during the Mercedes-Benz multi-incident response. Also on scene were Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Somers EMS, Westchester EMS, and the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services.

Operations concluded at approximately 5:42 p.m. after firefighters examined for hot spots on the roof and active embers at the brush fire. Crews from truck and engine company operations cut roof ventilation holes and opened some parts of the ceiling inside the Mercedes facility to make sure the fire had not spread in the building’s interior.
Golden’s Bridge Fire Department officials said the cooperation among all responding agencies and a well-coordinated response resulted in a smooth and successful operation under challenging conditions in a unique dual incident scene. The combined efforts of the mutual aid fire departments helped prevent any further damage to the Mercedes facility and the brush fire from spreading. No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.

05/17/2026

Come on down to the Lewisboro Town Park and join us in supporting the RARE event!

05/06/2026

As of May 1st, 2026, the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department Engine Company 1 Officers are as follows:

Chief of Department- Albert Melillo (Car 2141)
Captain of Department - Raymond Baker Jr. (Car 2144)
Senior Lieutenant - Douglas Orlovitz (Car 2145)
Lieutenant - Saurabh Mehta (Car 2146)
Lieutenant – Joesph Vercesi (Car 2147)
Captain of Rescue - Walter Hughes (Car 2148)
Captain of Fire Police- Thomas Beneventano
Lieutenant of Fire Police- Richard Norbutt
Engineer- Chris Weigert

Congratulations to all officers reelected for another term!

05/01/2026

Organizers said the goal is to spark interest in a field that has seen declining volunteer numbers nationwide.

04/27/2026

We are looking forward to another great event this year!

When students at John Jay High School in Cross River hit the gym floor, their usual routines will be put on the back burner.

04/15/2026

02/22/2026

Golden’s Bridge Fire Department Already Gearing Up for Impending Blizzard
Rotating Shift Standby Crews and LVAC Ambulance at the Firehouse, and Other Measures Being Taken

The Golden’s Bridge Fire Department spent most of Saturday gearing up for the impending blizzard that forecasters say will drop heavy amounts of snow Sunday into Monday. As they did ahead of Winter Storm Fern less than a month ago, Golden’s Bridge firefighters are taking extraordinary readiness measures to be prepared for all emergencies during the latest storm heading our way.

Golden’s Bridge fire officials said they are once again coordinating with other local agencies, including the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Lewisboro Highway Department, to keep community residents and first-responders as safe as possible. Among the coordinated efforts, according to GBFD officials, LVAC is staging an ambulance at the Golden’s Bridge firehouse during the duration of the storm to enhance emergency response to medical emergencies in the fire district.

At the center of its storm preparations, the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department will have a full complement of firefighters on standby at the firehouse, according to Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief Albert Melillo, who said standby crews will alternate shifts so that the firehouse will be manned around the clock during the duration of the storm.

“Our preemptive and coordinated planning is designed to execute a rapid and effective emergency response to all types of emergencies – whether they be fire, medical, vehicle, ice and water rescue, or storm-related – such as downed power lines and trees, which could be an issue since dangerous gusty winds will accompany this storm,” Melillo said.

“Golden’s Bridge firefighters are working hard so that they can respond as safely and quickly as possible in your time of need. We hope this message brings some comfort to residents and calms their stress,” Melillo added.

A plow is installed on GBFD Rescue 25 to assist all fire engines and other apparatus with emergency response, according to the Golden’s Bridge fire chief, who noted that GBFD UTV Utility 38 and its off-road capabilities is fully equipped for emergency response on large acreage properties, backyards, and hiking trails. He said in addition to all regular rescue apparatus, GBFD fire trucks are equipped with cold water ice rescue suits in the event that the Department’s Ice Rescue Team has to respond to ice and water rescue emergencies.

Melillo has shared contact information of GBFD personnel with the head of Lewisboro’s senior program to expedite response to elderly residents in need of emergency assistance.

The Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief urged residents to take the following precautions:

• Avoid any unnecessary travel and stay off local roads so the Lewisboro Highway Department can safely and effectively clear roadways

• Don’t walk or drive over downed power lines.

• Burning wood in fireplaces and running emergency generators during power outages could cause increased levels of carbon monoxide to seep into your living space, so make sure your CO detectors have new batteries.

• Keep space-heaters on level, non-combustible surfaces and at least five to 10 feet away from drapery and bedding.

• The use of auxiliary heating sources, such as space-heaters, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves, increases fire risk, so place new batteries in your smoke alarms.

“The key during any storm is to avoid putting yourself in harm’s way. But if you find yourself in a life-threatening or emergency situation, rest assured that Golden’s Bridge firefighters are well-prepared and ready to respond. Always call 911 to report an emergency,” said Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief Melillo.

01/29/2026

Golden’s Bridge Engine 140 is currently relocated to Brewster Fire Department while they operate at a house fire in Patterson.

01/25/2026

Ahead of Massive Winter Storm, Golden’s Bridge Fire Department Coordinates Multi-Agency Emergency Response, Plans to Maintain Full Complement of Firefighters and Additional Crews at Firehouse

In preparation for the impending winter storm that meteorologists are describing as “massive” and “catastrophic,” the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department is taking significant action in advance of the storm’s arrival, including the coordination of a multi-agency emergency response, to keep community residents and first-responders as safe as possible.

Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief Albert Melillo said a number of comprehensive measures are already in motion and will remain active throughout the duration of the snowstorm – a storm that meteorological experts say could dump two feet of snow and ice in Northern Westchester, including the GBFD’s coverage area of Golden’s Bridge hamlet in the Town of Lewisboro, and swaths of North Salem and Somers.

“The measures we are implementing in advance and all aspects of our coordinated planning are designed to execute a rapid and effective emergency response during what is expected to be challenging conditions. We are working in collaboration with other agencies to keep the community and emergency responders as safe as possible,” explained Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief Melillo.

“We are prepared for all emergencies, whether a fire, medical, vehicle accident, downed power lines and trees, ice and water rescue, and every other emergency imaginable,” he added.

Fire Chief Melillo outlined the steps being taken:

• Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps Captain Dan Murtha, in collaboration with the GBFD, is staging an ambulance at the Golden’s Bridge Firehouse during the duration of the storm to enhance response to medical emergencies in the fire district.

• The Golden’s Bridge Fire Department will have a full complement of firefighters on standby at the firehouse, along with additional crews, throughout the duration of the storm. Although personnel will be stationed at the firehouse, Fire Chief Melillo advised residents to call 911 for all emergencies.

• Firefighters installed a snow plow on GBFD Rescue 25 to assist all fire engines and other apparatus with emergency response.

• Firefighters will place GBFD Utility 38 and its off-road capabilities into action for emergency response on large acreage properties, backyards, and hiking trails.

• In addition to all regular rescue apparatus, GBFD fire trucks are carrying cold water ice rescue suits in the event that the Department’s Ice Rescue Team has to respond to ice and water rescue emergencies.

• To further support emergency operations, Fire Chief Melillo is providing Lewisboro Highway Department personnel with access to the Golden’s Bridge Firehouse throughout the duration of the storm. In collaboration with the Lewisboro Highway Department, Superintendent John Winter has assured the GBFD that the plow/salt spreader dedicated to Golden’s Bridge will be available to clear roads for emergency response.

• Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief Melillo has shared contact information of GBFD personnel with the head of Lewisboro’s senior program to expedite response to elderly residents in need of emergency assistance.

“With coordination among agencies, we are prepared for whatever this storm throws our way. But it’s also important for community residents to take some safety precautions of their own to minimize emergencies, or avoid them altogether,” the Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief said.

He urged residents to heed the following recommendations:

• Make every attempt to stay off the roads because driving will be treacherous during the storm, and it will enable the Highway Department to clear snow and treat local roadways.

• Keep space heaters on non-combustible surfaces and at least five feet away from combustible materials. Make sure space heaters are always on level ground.

• Emergency standby generators can cause dangerous carbon monoxide seepage into homes, so be sure to have new batteries in your CO alarm devices to detect unsafe levels. Immediately leave the house if your CO alarm sounds, then call 911.

• The use of auxiliary heating sources, such as space heaters, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves, increases fire risk, so be sure to have new batteries in your smoke alarm devices.

• Keep electronic devices fully charged in case of a power outage.

• Additionally, residents are encouraged to be aware of their physical limitations when they venture outside to shovel their steps or walkway. Always let a family member know when you’re going outside and have them check on you in case you slip and fall.

“We are proud of the dedication of our Golden’s Bridge firefighters who always put the community first, even ahead of their own families. They are deeply committed to serving and protecting residents. Everyone, please stay safe in the days ahead. We will be here to respond to your emergencies,” said Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief Melillo.