Potsdam Fire Department

06/01/2026

In Memoriam

The department extends its condolences to the family of Honor Roll member Thomas Russell. Tom passed away on May 28, 2026, in Toms River, New Jersey. He served with the fire department from August 18, 1970, to August 1, 1994. Tom is survived by his children, five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. In accordance with his wishes, no services are scheduled at this time.

The department extends its condolences to the family of Honor Roll member Thomas Russell. Tom passed away on May 28, 2026, in Toms River, New Jersey. He served with the fire department from August 18, 1970, to August 1, 1994. Tom is survived by his children, five grandchildren, and six great-grandch...

06/01/2026

Potsdam Firefighters Visit Potsdam High School

On May 27th, members of the Potsdam Fire Department visited the Potsdam High School and spoke with students about how to become a member of a volunteer fire department. Members provided applications to students interested in joining the Potsdam Fire Department as well as our surrounding fire departments.

The Potsdam Fire Department would like to thank staff at the Potsdam High School for allowing us the opportunity to visit, as well as the students who stopped and took time out of their day to learn more about the volunteer fire service.

https://www.potsdamfire.org/news/905/Potsdam-Firefighters-Visit-Potsdam-High-School-

05/25/2026

Memorial Day Parade

Members participated in today's Memorial Day Parade to honor the service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation.

https://www.potsdamfire.org/news/904/Memorial-Day-Parade

05/20/2026

In Memoriam

The Department members extend our condolences to the family of Pat Prosper, widow of Ex Chief Jim Prosper.

POTSDAM - Patricia Lucille Prosper, 88, of Potsdam, NY passed away on May 16th, 2026. Born in Buffalo, NY on October 4th, 1937. She moved to Potsdam, NY and married James Prosper on September 13, 1958. She was a respected worker for PACES as a cashier at SUNY Potsdam for 25 years.

Patricia is survived by her 3 children, Tom Prosper (Crystal) of Yorktown, VA, Roxanne Dumas (Rick) of Canton, NY, and Lori Hollis (Paul) of Potsdam, NY. She is also survived by her 4 grandchildren, Ashley, Kala, Emily and Tyler and her 4 great grandchildren, Teagan, Bennett, Russell and Elsie.

Pat was a very loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family. She was the most generous person, always there if her family needed anything. She will be missed immensely.

Family & friends are welcome to attend the graveside service at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Potsdam on Saturday, May 23rd at 12:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Potsdam Fire Department, but the family also welcomes flowers which will be donated to Maplewood Nursing Facility after the graveside service.

Arrangements are with the Garner Funeral Service. Condolences for the Prosper family can be shared www.garnerfh.com.rs of the department extend their deepest condolences to the family of Pat Prosper, widow of Ex Chief Jim Prosper.

The Department members extend our condolences to the family of Pat Prosper, widow of Ex Chief Jim Prosper. POTSDAM - Patricia Lucille Prosper, 88, of Potsdam, NY passed away on May 16th, 2026. Born in Buffalo, NY on October 4th, 1937. She moved to Potsdam, NY and married James Prosper on September 1...

05/17/2026

Potsdam Fire Hosts Training Day at SLCFTC

This morning Potsdam Fire held its monthly May training at the St. Lawrence County Fire Training Center. Members ran through many evolutions and training exercises, gaining knowledge and hands on experience in real world situations.

Interior personnel led in-depth searches in “The Green Building”, a 3 story building used for training exercises. The building was filled with artificial smoke using a smoke machine and blacked out by keeping all windows and doors shut. Then, crews of 2 would go in and search the building for victims, keeping constant radio communications with the Incident Commander, and extricate the victim from the building. Victim location was changed after every evolution. T-5 was used for victim extrication on the third floor. This drill was also an opportunity for exterior personnel to familiarize themselves with airpacks, changing bottles, and a chance to see inside a smoke filled environment with more experienced members to learn what a search consists of.

Crews also had time to learn more about and operate our Tower and its capabilities. This involved operating the outriggers, maneuvering the bucket onto roof tops, up to window sills for victim extrication, and down to the ground, as well as straight up to it’s maximum of 101’.

Crews refreshed ventilation skills using the roof prop. This consisted of using 2 roof ladders, a K-12 saw, and knowledge in vertical ventilation. Members would raise and foot a control ladder, install a second ladder on the roof for better footing, start and operate the saw, and cut a square hole in order to simulate vertical ventilation, a way to release high levels of heat and smoke in a fire.

As always, thank you to those at SLCFTC for allowing us to use this space today, this training is always a great time.

Units: T-5 (J. Corbett), R-14 (J. McGregor), R-30 (N. Gruda)

https://www.potsdamfire.org/news/902/Potsdam-Fire-Hosts-Training-Day-at-SLCFTC

05/16/2026

UPDATE ROAD IS NOW OPEN

Pierrepont Avenue is closed from Main Street to Garfield Road, use alternate route, will update when open

05/15/2026

Fire In Kitchen At 200 Outer Main St.

At 6:41pm, Potsdam Fire responded to a possible kitchen fire in the apartment complex located at 200 Outer Main Street. Upon arrival, the engine crew advised light smoke was visible from the exterior doorway. Upon entry and further investigation, a cardboard pizza box was found to have caught fire. The tenant had relocated the box to the kitchen sink and used their in home fire extinguisher to put the fire out. The box was further extinguished by the engine crew. The crew then advised the fire was out, and removed the box from the residence. The apartment was ventilated using a ventilation fan to remove the smoke. There were no firefighter or civilian injuries related to this incident. Potsdam Fire was back in service at 7:12pm.

Units: E-49 (R. Pierce), T-5 (S. Corbett)

https://www.potsdamfire.org/news/901/Fire-In-Kitchen-At-200-Outer-Main-St-

05/13/2026

2 Car MVA On State Highway 11B

At 3:28pm, Potsdam Fire, Potsdam Rescue, and County Car 10 were dispatched to an MVA involving a parked car and a house. Upon arrival, it was determined that a car had crossed the centerline, exiting the roadway, and striking a car parked in a driveway which subsequently was pushed into the residence. Potsdam Fire directed traffic on State Highway 11B, reducing traffic through the accident area to 1 lane alternating traffic. The operator of the vehicle refused medical evaluation. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. The accident was investigated by the New York State Police, with assistance from Potsdam PD. SH11B was reopened and Potsdam Fire was back in service at 4:45pm.

Units: E-49 (R. Crowe), R-14 (M. Keleher)

https://www.potsdamfire.org/news/900/2-Car-MVA-On-State-Highway-11B

05/13/2026

2 Vehicle Motor Vehicle Collision In Front Of Walmart

On May 9th, 2026 at approximately 11:56AM, Potsdam Fire, Potsdam Rescue, and County Car 10 were dispatched to the area of 7494 US Highway 11 in front of Walmart for a reported two vehicle collision with unknown injuries. Potsdam Fire Engine 49 and Potsdam Rescue were enroute at the time of alarm.

Assistant Chief Davis (36-4) arrived on scene and established command. Potsdam Rescue treated and transported one patient to Canton Potsdam Hospital. Potsdam Fire units remained on scene for traffic control and debris cleanup until the vehicles were towed from the scene by Johnson's Towing.

Units: Engine 49 (B. McCluskey)
Rescue 14 (J. Keleher)
Rescue 30 (S. Demers)

On May 9th, 2026 at approximately 11:56AM, Potsdam Fire, Potsdam Rescue, and County Car 10 were dispatched to the area of 7494 US Highway 11 in front of Walmart for a reported two vehicle collision with unknown injuries. Potsdam Fire Engine 49 and Potsdam Rescue were enroute at the time of alarm. As...