Best-Luther Fire Department

09/21/2026

⚠️TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT⚠️

Please use caution in the areas listed while our crews and mutual aid partners operate a water relay drill.

🚒 **COMMUNITY NOTICE – FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING EXERCISE**

On **Tuesday, September 22, 2026, from approximately 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.**, Nassau Fire, along with multiple fire departments from the surrounding area, will conduct a **large-scale water supply training exercise** in the area of **Bunker Hill Road between McClellan Road and Waterbury Road**.

**There is no emergency.** This is a planned training exercise designed to prepare firefighters to establish and maintain a reliable water supply for firefighting operations in areas where fire hydrants are not available.

As part of the exercise, multiple fire engines and tankers will be traveling between water supply locations and the training area. **All apparatus will be operating under normal, non-emergency driving conditions.**

Residents and motorists may notice increased fire apparatus traffic along:

• NYS Route 20 between Bunker Hill Road and McClellan Road
• Bunker Hill Road
• McClellan Road
• McClellan Drive
• NYS Route 203
• NYS Route 32 in the North Chatham area

If you are traveling through these areas during the exercise, please **use caution, remain alert for fire apparatus entering or exiting roadways, and allow additional travel time**.

This type of multi-department training helps ensure that area fire departments can work together effectively to deliver the large quantities of water needed during fires in areas without hydrants.

We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation while our firefighters conduct this important training.

**Tuesday, September 22 | 7:00–8:30 p.m.**

🚒 **Participating Fire Departments:**

Nassau Fire Department
South Schodack Fire Company
Schodack Landing Fire Company
Castleton Fire Department
East Schodack Fire Company
Schodack Valley Fire Company
Tsatsawassa Fire Company
North Chatham Fire Department
Niverville Fire Department Inc.
Valatie Fire Department
Best-Luther Fire Department
East Greenbush Fire Company,Inc.
Clinton Heights Fire Department
Hoags Corners Volunteer Fire Company

**Thank you to all of our participating mutual-aid departments for supporting this important training exercise.**

09/18/2026

⚠️EQUIPMENT ALERT⚠️

This past Tuesday, 9/15/26, our 8 EMT’s attended an In-Service Training on the NYS Epinephrine Check and Inject Program. With Standard Auto-Inject Epinephrine becoming so expensive for the everyday patient, our members have been trained to ensure every patient with severe anaphylactic allergies to food and items are properly cared for.

While the cost of an autoinjector runs approximately $700 per set, each kit for our apparatus cost roughly $65. Same Epinephrine, more training. We thank our Medical Director Dr. Hayashi, for making this training possible to meet and exceed standards in our BLS First Response Department.

Interested in joining our department? Stop by any Tuesday at 7pm!

🔥Applications can be completed at
www.bestlutherfire.com🔥

09/11/2026

🚨INCIDENT NOTIFICATION🚨

Call Type: Vehicle Fire

Location: 8065 BERKSHIRE SPUR WESTBOUND, SCHODACK
Business: B6.5 Berkshire Spur Westbound
Additional
Location Info:
Cross Street:
Dispatched Units: F03
Response Areas: South Schodack FD 1/Castleton EMS 4

At 00:47 hours this morning, Box 34-08 was transmitted for a Second Alarm Vehicle Fire. This box brought initial companies plus Best-Luther, East Schodack Fire Company, Nassau Fire Department, Niverville Fire Department Inc. and Stuyvesant Fire Department to the scene with tankers. At 01:13, Tanker-3 arrived on scene with a crew of 3 and was ordered to go to work to assist in extinguishing the Tractor Trailer fire. Due to limited interior personnel, Kinderhook Fire was dispatched with manpower.

After a long battle, New York State Department of Transportation arrived with an excavator to begin pulling apart the contents of the trailer, so fire personnel could fully extinguish it. At 02:52 the bulk of the fire was knocked down. Overhaul began and took just over an hour. Best Luther units returned to service at 04:04.

We commend the effort by South Schodack Fire Companyfor their swift efforts in getting ~14,000 gallons on the road swiftly to battle the blaze. We thank the New York State Police, Schodack Police Department and NYS Thruway Authority for their efforts in keeping every firefighter safe during this call.

Agency units operating on scene:

Car 1
Car 2
Tanker-3

09/09/2026

MISSING PERSON

East Greenbush Police is attempting to locate the following person.

Dominick Bianchi 35 years old last seen at his residence on Forrest Pointe Drive on September 8, 2026, at approximately 10:00 AM.

Dominick is described as a 5’11” adult male with blue green eyes, brown hair and beard. Dominick was last seen wearing black sweatpants, black long sleeve shirt and possibly a baseball hat. Dominick is diabetic and may be in need of medical attention.

Dominick does not have his phone or wallet and his vehicle is still at his residence.

Anyone who has seen Dominick or has any information on the subject is asked to call EGPD at (518)479-2525.

We are asking for the public to check their properties, sheds, cars, trail cams and any home surveillance. If you see something please notify us.

There is no threat to public safety.

09/09/2026

⚠️MEMBERSHIP ALERT⚠️

For the first time in Best-Luther Fire history, today 9/8/2026, we swore in our first Junior member into the department! We welcome Bella Milkiewicz as our first Junior Firefighter!

Our Junior members will be able to provide scene support, learn basic fire scene skills, and learn the essentials prior to BEFO (Basic Exterior Firefighter Operations) and IFO (Interior Firefighter Operations) eligibility. Programs like these help introduce the newer generation learn responsibility, accountability and work ethic needed for everyday life.

We congratulate Bella on her newest accomplishment! We wish her the best of luck on her new position.

09/08/2026

This Saturday!! Stop by and check out the Best-Luther Fire Department’s children’s firefighter challenge course and more!

The Fifth Annual Community Day is on Saturday, September 12th, and East Greenbush Town Park is turning into the ultimate family fun zone! Face painting, bounce house, rock wall, K9 demos, drone demos, car seat safety checks, and so much more! 🚒🐾🎨

Meet our first responders, explore police cars, firetrucks, ambulances, and even catch the NYSP aviation helicopter! Plus raffles and a 2027 summer camp scholarship. A perfect Saturday for families, friends, and neighbors! 🌳💛

📍 Town of East Greenbush Community & Recreation
📞 518‑477‑4194
🌐 www.eastgreenbush.org

09/06/2026

We would like to congratulate FF Brianna Brink on her completion and passing of the New York State Emergency Medical Technician Course!

Brianna is now certified in basic prehospital care, bringing the best possible patient care to our Fire District residents.

Please help us congratulate her on a long successful career!

08/30/2026

Big announcement for the Best-Luther Fire Department!

Friday, August 28th, Assistant Chief Taylor Milkiewicz and Firefighter Jon Murphy became newly weds! Their story started on February 8th, 2025 when they began their journey. As you all may know, these newly weds also have their first son due in October. Their wedding took place at the Riverside Park in the Town of Coxsackie.

We would like to wish these two a lifetime of happiness and success. Through the good days and the bad days, these two took the oath to stand by each other in holy matrimony.

Please help us congratulate this newly wedded couple.

Congratulations to Taylor and Jon Murphy!