06/01/2026
FIRE FEUD CONTINUES: The dispute between the South Blooming Grove Fire District and the Village’s newly formed Department 60 is escalating.
In a new statement released Thursday, the South Blooming Grove Fire District criticized Orange County’s decision to recognize Department 60 as a mutual aid fire department, calling the move “ill-conceived” and claiming it could compromise public safety.
The district says it will not use Department 60 for mutual aid unless the department agrees to follow the established chain of command and recognizes the district’s authority over fire and rescue services in the village.
District officials also accuse Department 60 of interfering at emergency scenes, operating as a “rogue fire department,” and misrepresenting its role. The statement further describes Department 60 as an “exterior-only fire brigade” with severe operational limitations.
The latest development comes weeks after my report on concerns surrounding Department 60’s public messaging. At the time, the department was encouraging residents to call it directly in the event of a fire, prompting Orange County Emergency Management officials to remind residents to always call 911.
Orange County officials previously said that Department 60 followed the proper state and county procedures to obtain its mutual aid designation and that its members completed the required exterior firefighter training.
The Village of South Blooming Grove has not responded to my requests for comment on the issue but released a statement on Facebook saying, Department 60 is staffed by trained and certified volunteers and is equipped to assist during emergencies throughout Orange County.
