Golden's Bridge Fire Department

08/31/2026

When fire, medical, storm-related, and other emergency calls in the Golden’s Bridge Fire District are dispatched from the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, Golden’s Bridge Firefighters are first on the scene. Now, an Albany state legislator is answering the call of Golden’s Bridge Fire Department personnel in their time of need.

State Sen. Peter Harckham has announced a $100,000 capital funding grant, administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), for new radio communications equipment purchased by the Golden’s Bridge Fire District.

The purchase was necessary to align the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department communications system with the new radio frequencies implemented by the dispatch center, known as 60 Control, of the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, according to Golden’s Bridge Fire Commissioner and ex-Chief Robert Melillo, who initiated the grant application and worked closely with Sen. Harckham’s office throughout the process.

“Clear and efficient communications among first-responders can be the difference between life and death in an emergency situation,” said Harckham. “I was proud to secure the grant funding to provide the Goldens Bridge FD with a new set of radios to ensure effective lines of communication between members of the department and other first responders in the area.”

Golden’s Bridge Fire Commissioner Edward Brancati, Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Golden’s Bridge Fire District, praised Sen. Harckham’s continuous support for first-responders and for providing a major assist in the District’s efforts of being fiscally responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.

“On behalf of the District, Fire Department personnel, and community residents and businesses, we are extremely grateful to Sen. Harckham for this $100,000 DASNY grant because it supports critical new equipment essential to emergency response and to the safety of our Firefighters and the community they serve,” Brancati said.

“In today’s economic environment, it is important to strike a balance between fiscal responsibility and, at the same time, properly equipping our Firefighters with every apparatus and tool necessary to carry out the mission of responding, serving and protecting when called upon. Sen. Harckham has enabled us to achieve both. We have made a necessary investment without burdening the taxpayers with this cost,” Brancati added.

In addition to the new radio communications system being in sync with the dispatch center, Melillo noted that the technology is also vital to cross-communications with other emergency services agencies, and is essential to the communications infrastructure and robust emergency response operations of the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department.

“The new radio equipment enables us to provide rapid, efficient, and coordinated emergency services, which enhances the safety of our firefighters and the residents, businesses, institutions, and others in the community in their time of need,” Melillo said.

“The mobile radios provide a secure and reliable method of maintaining internal and external communications that is critical during emergency operations, and they ensure coordination at emergency scenes,” said Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief Albert Melillo. “Fire departments across the County had to upgrade their systems in order to operate under the new radio frequencies and communicate with the dispatch center.”

The $100,000 DASNY grant secured by Harckham covered the purchase of:

• Personal Firefighter Pagers, which are connected to a central paging system and integrated with 60 Control to allow instantaneous relays and incident details of emergency alerts, fire calls, and other information to ensure rapid response.

• Mobile Radios, which are installed in all Golden’s Bridge Fire Department emergency apparatus to enable efficient monitoring of and communication with the County’s dispatch frequencies. “This allows responding Firefighters in command vehicles and apparatus to engage in real-time communication with dispatch, and with responding mutual aid agencies,” Fire Chief Melillo said.

• Base Station Radio with a power source independent of the power grid, which serves as a redundancy/backup to the dispatch center, enabling the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department to carry out uninterrupted response and operations, optimal capacity to protect and safeguard life and property, and seamless coordination and communication with other emergency services if 60 Control is offline due to technical issues and storm-compromised Internet and phone service. “It enables rapid response, dispatch of additional apparatus and personnel requested by on-scene command, and coordinated and efficient operations” the Golden’s Bridge fire chief explained.

• Fire Siren Radio (also with an independent power source), which serves as a reliable, supplemental notification alert system to emergency calls. Fire Chief Melillo said this is particularly significant since “we are a rural fire district with sometimes unreliable mobile network coverage. It is an additional layer of vital backup support to our communications technology if other forms of communication fail.”

The Golden’s Bridge Fire Department responds to all residential, commercial, vehicle and brush fires, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, vehicle accidents, storm and weather-related emergencies, and all medical emergencies. Geographically, the Fire District covers the entire hamlet of Golden’s Bridge in the Town of Lewisboro and small swaths of Somers and North Salem. Besides local and state roads, Golden’s Bridge firefighters respond to vehicle accidents, fires and emergencies on a portion of Interstate 684. In addition to hundreds of residences (single family, developments, a multifamily residential complex, and a community of cooperative garden apartments and townhouses), the District has a church, schools, a shopping center, large commercial businesses with sprawling campuses (including a plumbing supply warehouse, lumber yard, and auto dealership), a Metro North train station, and dozens of small businesses and professional offices. From January 1 through July 30 of this year, the Department was on a record pace of emergency responses for 2026, averaging more than one call a day.

08/08/2026

Last night around 7:30 Golden’s Bridge Tanker 1 was requested to the village of Ossining. Tanker 1 joined in with many other mutual aid tankers from Westchester and Putnam in water supply operations. Tanker 1 shuttled water to help feed different Tower Ladders involved in fire suppression for over 8 hours. It turned out to be a 4th Alarm Fire. Tanker 1 retuned to district after 4am.

While Tanker 1 was in Ossining, additional Golden’s Bridge members stood by and handled an alarm in district.

07/05/2026

July 5, 2026

For Immediate Release

Golden's Bridge Fire Department Issues Important Safety Alert to Community

On the heels of the July 4 rain and wind storm that ripped through the town and left downed power lines and tree limbs in its wake, the Golden's Bridge Fire Department today cautioned residents to avoid walking, jogging or biking near electrical wires that are dangling from above or laying across local roadways.

"Assume that downed power lines are live wires. If you are walking, jogging or biking - and you're approaching downed power lines - we recommend that you turn back. The surrounding ground, even at a distance from the actual downed wires, could be electrified. Until NYSEG responds and takes appropriate action, stay clear of all downed electrical power lines. Making contact with live wires and electrified ground could be fatal," said Golden's Bridge Fire Chief Albert Melillo. "For safety's sake, please avoid jogging, walking or biking on local roads until NYSEG addresses these emergency conditions throughout the community," the Golden's Bridge fire chief added.

Golden's Bridge firefighters have been responding to emergencies around the clock. As of 8:00 p.m. Saturday night and through 11:30 a.m. today (Sunday, July 5), the Golden's Bridge Fire Department has responded to nearly 20 alarms, the majority of which have consisted of downed electrical wires and transformers, and toppled tree limbs, in roadways, and a combination of other calls that have included residential carbon monoxide alarms and non-storm-related emergencies.

06/29/2026

Golden’s Bridge Fire Department Proudly Unveils New Engine 140!

The Golden’s Bridge Fire Department today proudly unveiled its newest apparatus, Engine 140, a custom fire engine with cutting edge technology and innovation designed to enhance emergency response capabilities and provide superior protection to residents, businesses, and institutions throughout the community.

Manufactured by 4Guys Fire Trucks of Meyersdale, Pennsylvania, Engine 140 represents the latest advancements in firefighting technology, safety, and operational efficiency. The apparatus was custom-designed to meet the specific needs of the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department and the unique emergency response challenges in the fire district, whose coverage area includes the Town of Lewisboro’s hamlet of Golden’s Bridge and swaths of Somers and North Salem.

Built on a rugged Spartan chassis and powered by a Cummins X12 diesel engine, the new apparatus features a custom rear body designed to maximize equipment storage and accessibility while improving firefighter safety and efficiency.

Engine 140 will serve as the GBFD’s primary fire attack engine. It is specifically equipped to respond to a wide range of emergencies and is customized to meet the topography of the fire district and unique coverage area – which includes the Metro North railroad station, the Interstate 684 corridor, and a church, school, retail shopping center, professional offices, and large business campuses, including a car dealership and plumbing supply house.

The new apparatus, which will be dispatched to structure, brush and vehicle fires, and vehicle accidents, combines advanced firefighting capabilities with enhanced safety features, making it one of the most capable engines placed into service in GBFD history.

The new engine represents years of fiscal responsibility and practical and collaborative planning by the Golden’s Bridge Fire District and Fire Department, according to Fire Commissioner Edward Brancati.

“This is an essential investment in emergency response that will serve on the frontlines of our community well into the future,” said Brancati, chairman of the district’s Board of Fire Commissioners. “It will enhance the safety of our volunteer firefighters, strengthen the department’s emergency response abilities and operational preparedness, and provide an even greater level of protection to our residents, businesses, and institutions.”

Brancati added, “As emergency response challenges continue to evolve, the district is committed to providing the highest level of service through ongoing training, modernization, and investment in apparatus.”

At the heart of Engine 140 is a Waterous 2,000-gallon-per-minute, top-mount midship fire pump capable of delivering large volumes of water during firefighting operations. The elevated mount pump position enables firefighters to operate with enhanced visibility and, in fire events involving vehicles, trucks and tractor trailers on 684, keeps firefighters safely out of the flow of traffic.

The engine carries a 1,000-gallon water tank, 1,500 feet of 5-inch large-diameter supply hose, and 1,400 feet of attack hose, providing firefighters with the resources necessary to establish reliable water supplies and deploy multiple hand lines during emergency operations.

In addition to its water supply capacity, the apparatus carries an 80-gallon Class B foam cell and a complete foam delivery system capable of suppressing fuel-fed vehicle and tanker truck fires, according to Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief Albert Melillo, who noted that Engine 140’s features were designed to address structure firefighting needs, as well as the hazards associated with emergencies on the 684 corridor within the fire district’s geographical boundaries.

“The Golden’s Bridge community, and those in the Somers and North Salem portions of the district, should be proud of the new Engine 140,” Melillo said. “Our personnel are very appreciative of the fire district’s commitment to outfitting the department with the apparatus and equipment, and numerous training opportunities, that keeps our firefighters safe and enables us to provide high-quality emergency services to our residents, businesses and institutions.”

Additional features include a spacious six-person cab with enhanced crew safety systems, modern seating designed for self-contained breathing apparatus compatibility, upgraded LED emergency lighting for improved visibility in all weather conditions, a digital control interface that streamlines pump operations and system monitoring, state-of-the-art camera system, multiple storage compartments for specialized hydraulic and standard rescue tools – among them a Hurst combination cutting and spreading tool – used in all types of emergencies, ventilation equipment, medical response gear, a Harrison 10-kilowatt onboard generator, and a 15-foot Will-Burt night scan light tower that provides powerful scene illumination during nighttime and low-visibility operations.

The arrival of Engine 140 marks the culmination of several years of planning, design, and construction. The apparatus replaces a frontline engine that faithfully served the Golden’s Bridge Fire District for more than 30 years. While the retired apparatus provided decades of dependable service, advances in firefighting technology, firefighting safety systems, and emergency response capabilities made the replacement necessary, according to Fire Commissioner Robert Melillo.

“The new apparatus reflects the commitment of the Board of Fire Commissioners to the protection, safety and well-being of our community and firefighters,” said Melillo, an ex-fire chief who is now in his 38th year with the department. “It was a long process with an enormous number of hours spent on reviewing and monitoring the construction every step of the way – which included multiple trips to the Pennsylvania manufacturing plant. It took a team effort to make this project a reality.”

He oversaw the apparatus construction process and performed the final factory inspection alongside Brancati and Fire Commissioner Robert Kelly before representatives from 4Guys Fire Trucks delivered Engine 140 to the Golden’s Bridge Firehouse.

Engine 140 will be officially commissioned into service on July 4, 2026 to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. “The historic date marks not only the celebration of our Nation’s founding, but also this new addition to the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department fleet,” Brancati said.

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.