Keene:
Jennifer Gregory,
Secretary
PO Box 136
1 Hurricane Rd.
Keene, NY 12942
576-4301
(use 911 for emergencies)
Keene Valley:
Chuck Dumas, Secretary
15 Market St.
PO Box 699
Keene Valley, NY 12943
Non-emergency phone: 576-4727
(use 911 for emergencies)
It is not like the old days, when the whistle went off and everyone simply went to the fire house. The training programs are rigorous and mandatory, progressing through many levels on topics such as life saving and difficult rescue techniques.
We have two Fire Houses because of the spread out geography of the town. The response time for an ambulance call at the Ausable Club, for example, from Keene, would be unacceptably long. Each Department is managed by elected Fire Commissioners who typically have a long history with the department. Each department does fundraising for new equipment from time to time.
If you want to join either department, for fire fighting or emergency medical services (or both), stop by the firehouse, contact any current fire person, or write the department secretary at the address shown below for an application. You'll need two recommendations and a background check; the process takes about 90 days.
Most of the emergencies are ambulance calls. There is a current need for EMTs in both departments, particularly for people who can respond to daytime emergencies. You will need to have the time for significant training.
The area south of the Elizabethtown Road is served by the Keene Valley FD which has approximately 40 volunteer men and women.
The area north of the Elizabethtown Road is served by the Keene FD which has 35 volunteer men and women.
The
all-volunteer fire departments provide fire fighting, emergency medical
services, and rescue.
