The Potsdam Fire Department received an automated dialer for a fire alarm activation at Clarkson University Graham Hall on Thursday December 29, 2022 at 2:46 PM. Engine 49 staffed with Career Fire Driver J. Robar, Past Chief R. Robar, and Firefighter J. Bradish responded immediately, arriving on scene at 2:51 PM. Clarkson staff advised firefighters that they had a campus wide power outage, upon investigating the alarm, firefighters encountered a heavy smoke condition in the basement of Graham Hall. Potsdam Fire Department was re-paged for more manpower, and Assistant Chief M. Bradish arrived on scene and established command. West Stockholm Fire along with West Potsdam fire were requested to respond mutual aid with interior personnel. Firefighters located a fire in the electrical vault in the basement, fire was controlled using fire extinguishers. The building was ventilated, and the building was turned over to Clarkson University staff. Hannawa Falls fire provided a standby crew at Potsdam Station for the duration of the incident.

Potsdam Fire was assisted on scene by Clarkson University Safety and Security along with maintenance staff, National Grid, New York State Fire, Potsdam Police, Potsdam Rescue, West Stockholm Fire, West Potsdam Fire, and Saint Lawrence County District Deputy R. Pierce.

All Potsdam Fire units were back in service at 6:54 PM