City of Rensselaer Fire Department

06/09/2026

🌈 THIS is what Rensselaer looks like on a Saturday morning. 🚁✨
The Rensselaer City School District PTA Color Run was an absolute BLAST — and we had the best view in the house! 🎨🔥
None of this happens without some incredible people showing up for our kids:
👮 Rensselaer City Police — on scene keeping every runner safe from start to finish
🍎 Rensselaer City School District PTA — you planned it, you showed up, you DELIVERED
🎒 Rensselaer City School District Staff — thank you for going above and beyond every single day for our kids
To every kid, parent, and community member who came out — YOU are why we love this city. ❤️
📍 Tag someone covered in color! Drop a 🌈 below if you were there!

06/03/2026

Nothing says brotherhood quite like playing Whack-A-Mole with your brother during drone training

06/03/2026

🎤 Guess who's back... back again? 🎤

🌽🥕 The Rensselaer Farmers Market is back, tell a friend! 🍑🍅

Fresh produce? Yep.
Food trucks? Absolutely.
Community fun? You know it.

Join us every Thursday from 4–7 PM at Riverfront Park through September 24 for local vendors, great food, and special events all season long.

🔥 Mark your calendars:
💚 Health & Wellness Fair – June 25
🚗 Car Shows – July 9, August 13, September 10
🎉 Kids Fun Day – July 30
🚒 Touch a Truck – August 27
🌶️ Chili Cook-Off – September 17

Come hungry, shop local, and see what everyone will be talking about.

🎤 "Guess who's back? Back again..."

The Farmers Market is back!

📢 to Nancy Hardt, Rensselaer City Clerk, Deputy Clerk Julie Bink, and all of the community partners who supported this community event.

06/03/2026

City Welcomes FF/EMT Shaun Leonardo

The City of Rensselaer is proud to welcome FF/EMT Shaun Leonardo to the Fire Department.

A 2017 graduate of Colonie Central High School and an eight-year veteran of the U.S. Army, Leonardo has been hired to fill an anticipated retirement vacancy within the department.

Prior to joining Rensselaer, FF/EMT Leonardo served with the Latham Fire Department in the Town of Colonie, where he gained valuable experience in emergency response and public service.

“We are excited to welcome Shaun to our team and look forward to the contributions he will make to the health and safety of our community,” said Fire Chief William Brooking.

FF/EMT Leonardo has already obtained his New York State certifications and will now complete an eight-week field training program as he transitions into his new role with the City of Rensselaer Fire Department.

05/29/2026

Thank you South Schodack Fire Company and Nassau Fire Department for allowing us to showcase resources available to our mutual and shared services partners.

05/29/2026

Congratulations to the City's CTE students on successfully completing the Basic Wilderness Search and Rescue course with the NYS Forest Rangers!

Throughout this hands-on training, students learned essential search and rescue techniques, teamwork, navigation, wilderness safety, and emergency response skills from experienced professionals in the field.

We are proud of their hard work, dedication, and commitment to serving others. Thank you to the NYS Forest Ranger Steve Jackson for providing this incredible learning opportunity and helping prepare the next generation of public service and outdoor safety leaders!

05/25/2026

05/21/2026

Training session today with our partners from the City of Rensselaer Police Department and the DroneSense team as we continue expanding our UAS capabilities.

The session focused on platform familiarization, operational coordination, and integrating DroneSense technology into public safety operations.

05/21/2026

A Statement from Chief Brooking regarding NYS IAAI Chapter 23 recognition.

“I’m incredibly proud of our Fire Investigation Team for receiving the 2025 Alton L. Lewis Memorial Fire Investigation Team of the Year Award. This honor reflects the professionalism, dedication, and teamwork our investigators demonstrate every day. Their work in solving three separate arson cases and helping bring those responsible to justice is a testament to their commitment to protecting our community. Congratulations to the entire team on this well-deserved recognition.”

Congratulations to the City of Rensselaer Fire Investigation Team for being named the recipient of the 2025 Alton L. Lewis Memorial Fire Investigation Team of the Year Award presented by the New York State Fire Investigators Association, Chapter 23 of the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI).

Throughout 2025, the team demonstrated exceptional professionalism, dedication, and teamwork during the investigation of three separate arson fires. Each incident presented unique and complex challenges, yet through meticulous investigative practices, coordinated efforts, and an unwavering commitment to public safety, the team successfully identified those responsible.

As a direct result of their investigative efforts, three individuals were arrested and formally charged.

This recognition reflects the outstanding collaboration, professionalism, and dedication displayed by the entire City of Rensselaer Fire Investigation Team in advancing fire investigation and protecting their community.

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor.

05/20/2026

During EMS Week, we want to extend our sincere thanks to the dedicated professionals at Mohawk Ambulance Service for their outstanding partnership and unwavering commitment to serving our community.

Whether responding to medical emergencies, supporting our crews on scene, or providing compassionate care to our residents, the men and women of Mohawk Ambulance are an essential part of our public safety team.

Thank you for your professionalism, teamwork, and dedication to helping others when they need it most.