As 2025 comes to a close, the Potsdam Fire Department is reflecting on a demanding and productive year marked by hundreds of emergency responses, diverse incident types, and the continued commitment of its firefighters and officers. Over the course of the year, personnel responded to 670 total incidents, serving the community around the clock.

Fire-related calls continued to be a core part of the department’s mission. Crews responded to 13 building fires, along with multiple cooking fires, chimney fires, and outside rubbish or trash fires. Vehicle fires were also reported, including four passenger vehicle fires and a freight vehicle fire. Brush and grass fires occurred several times during the year, requiring quick action to prevent spread.

While many fires were contained quickly, each incident required trained personnel, apparatus, and coordination to ensure public safety.

Medical and rescue-related incidents accounted for a large share of responses in 2025. Firefighters assisted EMS crews 48 times and responded to 28 motor vehicle accidents with injuries, along with 40 accidents without injuries. Additional calls included motor vehicle–pedestrian accidents, elevator rescues, and various assistance calls where firefighters played a critical support role.

Crews addressed a wide range of hazardous and public safety situations throughout the year, including gas leaks, carbon monoxide incidents, electrical hazards, downed power lines, and water-related emergencies. Firefighters also handled reports of weakened or collapsed structures and performed accident cleanups to help restore safe conditions.

Alarm activations made up one of the largest portions of overall call volume. Firefighters responded to more than 160 unintentional alarm activations with no fire, along with dozens of smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and sprinkler system malfunctions. While many of these calls did not involve emergencies, each required a full response to verify safety.

Apparatus Utilization and Department Response

The department’s fleet and personnel were heavily utilized throughout the year. Apparatus response statistics for 2025 include:

Engine 48 (E-48): 29 responses

Engine 49 (E-49): 465 responses

Engine 80 (E-80): 53 responses

Rescue 14 (R-14): 57 responses

Rescue 30 (R-30): 39 responses

Tower 5 (T-5): 9 responses

Tanker 100 (TA-100): 21 responses

These figures demonstrate the significant workload placed on frontline apparatus, particularly Engine 49, which handled the majority of responses in 2025 and is staffed by the department’s four career drivers, underscoring their critical role in maintaining rapid, reliable emergency response throughout the year.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Department officials praised the dedication and professionalism of all members, noting that every response—large or small—requires preparedness and teamwork. Residents are encouraged to maintain alarm systems, practice fire safety at home, and drive responsibly to help reduce preventable emergencies.

As the new year begins, the Potsdam Fire Department remains committed to protecting lives, property, and the community it proudly serves.

Incident Type # of Calls
100 - Fire, other 2
111 - Building fire 13
113 - Cooking fire, confined to container 4
114 - Chimney or flue fire, confined to chimney or flue 4
118 - Trash or rubbish fire, contained 3
121 - Fire in mobile home used as fixed residence 1
131 - Passenger vehicle fire 4
132 - Road freight or transport vehicle fire 1
142 - Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire 4
150 - Outside rubbish fire, other 1
160 - Special outside fire, other 1
251 - Excessive heat, scorch burns with no ignition 5
300 - Rescue, EMS incident, other 3
311 - Medical assist, assist EMS crew 48
320 - Emergency medical service incident, other 1
321 - EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury 2
322 - Motor vehicle accident with injuries 28
323 - Motor vehicle/pedestrian accident (MV Ped) 3
324 - Motor vehicle accident with no injuries. 40
331 - Lock-in (if lock out ) 2
353 - Removal of victim(s) from stalled elevator 3
400 - Hazardous condition, other 5
411 - Gasoline or other flammable liquid spill 2
412 - Gas leak (natural gas or LPG) 6
423 - Refrigeration leak 1
424 - Carbon monoxide incident 8
440 - Electrical wiring/equipment problem, other 3
442 - Overheated motor 1
443 - Breakdown of light ballast 1
444 - Power line down 9
445 - Arcing, shorted electrical equipment 8
460 - Accident, potential accident, other 12
461 - Building or structure weakened or collapsed 1
463 - Vehicle accident, general cleanup 2
500 - Service Call, other 18
520 - Water problem, other 2
521 - Water evacuation 9
522 - Water or steam leak 2
531 - Smoke or odor removal 1
550 - Public service assistance, other 2
551 - Assist police or other governmental agency 3
561 - Unauthorized burning 2
571 - Cover assignment, standby, moveup 10
600 - Good intent call, other 12
611 - Dispatched & canceled en route 20
622 - No incident found on arrival at dispatch address 18
631 - Authorized controlled burning 2
651 - Smoke scare, odor of smoke 7
652 - Steam, vapor, fog or dust thought to be smoke 3
671 - HazMat release investigation w/no HazMat 9
710 - Malicious, mischievous false call, other 2
711 - Municipal alarm system, malicious false alarm 1
714 - Central station, malicious false alarm 2
715 - Local alarm system, malicious false alarm 4
721 - Bomb scare - no bomb 3
730 - System malfunction, other 4
731 - Sprinkler activation due to malfunction 5
733 - Smoke detector activation due to malfunction 19
735 - Alarm system sounded due to malfunction 63
736 - CO detector activation due to malfunction 7
740 - Unintentional transmission of alarm, other 6
741 - Sprinkler activation, no fire - unintentional 1
743 - Smoke detector activation, no fire - unintentional 30
745 - Alarm system activation, no fire - unintentional 162
746 - Carbon monoxide detector activation, no CO 8