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| I. How do I become a member of the Potsdam Fire Department? |
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A. Please visit our web page titled RECRUITMENT for a list of the requirements and forms necessary to apply for membership with the Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department. |
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| II. How do I make a donation to the Potsdam Fire Department? |
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A. Donations can be mailed to the address listed below or dropped off at the fire station. Receipts for donations are only mailed on request in order to eliminate additional postage costs to maximize effectiveness of your contribution.
Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
P.O. Box 756
42 Main Street
Potsdam, New York 13676
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| III. How do I obtain a burn permit? |
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A. There is no open burning permitted within the Village of Potsdam.
Per April 15th 2023 Town of Potsdam Board Meeting, The Town Council passed a change to its fire code that gets rid of town fire wardens. Responsibility for issuing burn permits and enforcing burn regulations within the town is now entirely up to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
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| IV. Are speakers available for presentations to my group or club? |
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A. The Potsdam Fire Department has speakers available to provide a wide variety of presentations to clubs, groups, and organizations. Contact the station on the non-emergency line at 315-265-3312 or by emailing the department at info@potsdamfire.org to request a speaker for your event. |
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| V. How do I arrange for a tour of the fire station? |
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A. Station tours are available by contacting the paid driver’s office at the fire station on the non-emergency line at 315-265-3312 or by emailing the department at info@potsdamfire.org. Please make every effort to schedule these events in advance. |
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| VI. Why are some trucks all red and some trucks red with gray tops? |
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A. The solid red trucks are owned and maintained by the Village of Potsdam with funds raised from the taxpayers. The red trucks with the dark grey tops are owned and maintained by the Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. and purchased with contract funds from the Town of Potsdam and money raised from donations and fundraising events. |
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| VII. Does the Potsdam Fire Department utilize companies to solicit donations by phone? |
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A. The Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. does not solicit funds for donations by phone. No authorization has been given to any organization to use the name of the Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department or any of its members to solicit funds for anyreason. The Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department conducts a fund letter drive door to door in early October in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week. |
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| VIII. Does the Potsdam Fire Department rent tables or chairs? |
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A. The Potsdam Fire Department does not rent or loan out chairs or tables. |
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| IX. Does the Potsdam Fire Department inspect wood burning stoves? |
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A. The Potsdam Fire Department does not inspect wood burning stove installations. The wood burning stoves should be installed in compliance with the Building Code of New York State. Town or Village code enforcement officers can assist with additional information regarding inspection of these installations. Code enforcement office contact numbers are listed below.
Town of Potsdam Code Enforcement Officer - 265-0670
Village of Potsdam Code Enforcement Officer - 265-7678
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| X. Why does the department conduct fundraising events and receive taxpayer monies? |
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A. The cost of adequately equipping the volunteer fire department members to respond to emergencies is staggering. The personal protective equipment (turnout coat, bunker pants, helmet, gloves, hood) worn by the firefighters costs over $2,500 per member. The average cost of a new fire engine is $475,000.00 and this doesn’t include the equipment such as hoses or nozzles to fight the fire. |
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| XI. Does the Potsdam Fire Department fill swimming pools? |
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A. The Potsdam Fire Department does not fill swimming pools. We have experienced problems in the past which has caused us to discontinue this service. We would suggest contacting a local contractor to provide this service. |
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| XII. Can I use a fire hydrant in the Village of Potsdam to fill my swimming pool? |
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A. Unfortunately, the practice of filling swimming pools from fire hydrants has also been discontinued. Certain areas of the Village of Potsdam have experienced water quality issues which will prohibit the use of fire hydrants. |
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