07/07/2026
We’ve had several incredibly busy days at Patterson FD!
On Friday, 07/03/2026, Patterson FD assisted the Patterson Rotary and the REV250 Committee with a wonderful celebratory event in Patterson, utilizing the grounds of the Patterson Fire Department, Patterson Library and Peterson’s Patterson Nursery. We had personnel on scene all day, even with the heat index around 100°, to assist with safety, including a large crew with apparatus at the fireworks launch point to smother any errant sparks. And we all watched one of the best fireworks displays Patterson has ever seen!
On Saturday, 07/04/2026, a powerful fast moving storm tore through the area with winds clocked at 88 mph! While the worst of the storm was over in less than an hour, it left a trail of destruction. We had dozens of trees and limbs down in the roadway, completely shutting down Route 311 in multiple places, and Route 22 was down to single lane travel with debris.
And of course, those trees also took down numerous power lines, phone lines and cable lines, leaving much of Patterson in the dark. Several residents also had trees crash onto and into their homes, causing damage.
Quickly, Patterson Fire Department was dispatched to the most dangerous locations to render aid and help prevent drivers from slamming into the downed trees. We had crews working multiple locations simultaneously. And once we had confirmation that the power was out, our Firefighters used chainsaws on some of the massive trees to get them off the roadway so that emergency service crews could get through quickly.
As it was approaching midnight, we received an urgent request from the Pawling Fire Department to assist with a large structure fire in their village. We immediately sent engine 22-2-4 to the scene, and then tanker/tender 22-4-2 to help shuttle water for the fire. Our crews operated all night, getting relieved around 7:00 AM. We worked alongside Pawling FD, Putnam Lake FD, Carmel FD, Lake Carmel FD, Union Vale FD, East Fishkill FD, Sherman FD, Cornwall FD, East Clinton FD, Water Witch Hose Company #2, J H Ketchum Hose Company, Beekman FD, and many others, helping to extinguish the fire at CVS Pharmacy.
Then, on Sunday 07/05/2026, while we were still cleaning up all our equipment from the previous day, we had a structure fire in our own district, on Mountain View Road, which is a steep, tight, twisty dead end road. Our crews got there very quickly to stop the fire and keep it from engulfing the entire house. We are extremely appreciative of the mutual aid support from the Putnam Lake FD, Carmel FD, Lake Carmel FD and Brewster FD for quickly coming to assist us.
Remember, the Patterson Fire Department is 100% volunteer, as are ALL the fire departments in Putnam County. We take time away from our families, our friends, and our professions, to stay ready, willing and able to handle any emergency that befalls our community, and saving our town millions of dollars a year in taxes. Please consider joining us to help the community, or your local volunteer fire department / EMS agency if you live outside of Patterson.
Help us, help you!
