Big Indian-Oliverea Fire Company Inc.

10/21/2026

In light of this audit being completed and published, we want to make sure we continue to maintain transparency within our community, at the Company level too.

Please note that the Big Indian-Oliverea Fire COMPANY is NOT the same as the District, and this is the first time most of us are seeing this as well.

Big Indian-Oliverea Fire District – Board Oversight Audit (2026M-28)
A board of fire commissioners, responsible for managing and controlling a fire district’s financial operations, must provide adequate oversight of financial operations to ensure public funds are managed with accountability, transparency and integrity. This critical function can help maintain public trust, ensure legal compliance, and protect public resources from mismanagement, waste and fraud.

The Big Indian-Oliverea Fire District’s budgeted appropriations for fiscal year 2024 totaled approximately $123,000, and the general and capital reserve fund balances totaled approximately $780,000 as of December 31, 2024. The District Treasurer (Treasurer) paid 60 claims totaling $96,742 during the audit period. The District had 16 LOSAP participants in 2024.

The Board did not provide adequate oversight of the District’s financial operations. As a result, the Board hindered its ability to make informed financial decisions and cannot ensure taxpayers and other interested parties that the District’s financial activities are adequately reported and accounted for and that funds are used in the most fiscally responsible manner. Deficiencies were identified in the Board’s policies, budgeting practices, claims auditing, Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) administration, AFR filings, and compliance with training requirements.

Details of audit can be read here: https://www.osc.ny.gov/local-government/audits/fire-district/2026/09/25/big-indian-oliverea-fire-district-board-oversight-2026m-28?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

10/02/2026

Discovery Post Program. This is the program for 14-17 year olds to learn about emergency services, focusing on the fire service, in hopefully getting them to join their local departments once they turn 16. This program while only in its third year has led to several students joining their home departments. Please share this flyer with anyone you know that might be in the age range.

09/22/2026

09/11/2026

We Remember. We Pray. 🙏🏼❤️🇺🇸

On September 10, 2001, 25 years ago…

🇺🇸 246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights.
🇺🇸 2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work the next morning.
🇺🇸 343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift.
🇺🇸 60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol.
🇺🇸 8 paramedics went to sleep in preparation for a morning shift of saving lives.

None of them saw past 10:00 a.m. on September 11, 2001.

In one single moment, life may never be the same.

Tonight, as you go to sleep in preparation for your life tomorrow, kiss the ones you love, snuggle a little tighter, and never take one second of your life for granted.

And tonight, pray. 🙏🏼

Pray for the families who still carry the loss.
Pray for our first responders and those who protect us.
Pray for our leaders.
Pray for protection over our nation, our cities, our families, and those who stand watch.

Pray that America would turn back to God, that hearts would be softened, and that we would never forget how desperately we need Him.

We pray in the name of Jesus, Lord protect us. Give wisdom to our leaders, strengthen those who serve, comfort those who grieve, and draw hearts back to You.

We remember. We pray. We will never forget. 🇺🇸🙏🏼

08/25/2026

You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know About People

The horrific tragedy that occurred this past weekend in Ulster County, involving two members of the emergency services community, has left many of us shocked, saddened, and searching for words.

Melinda “Mindy” Brugger and her husband, James, were people known within the emergency services community—people many trusted, worked beside, learned from, and respected. When the circumstances surrounding Mindy’s death became known, the heartbreak became even more difficult to comprehend.

There are no excuses and no words that can undo what happened. The fact that someone regarded by many as a lifesaver, firefighter, officer, instructor, colleague, and friend could be responsible for such a horrific act is something many will struggle to understand for a very long time.

Perhaps one of the hardest lessons is that we don't always know what we don't know about people. A uniform, a title, years of service, professional respect, or a reputation within our community does not always tell us what may exist behind closed doors.

At the same time, we cannot allow this tragedy to destroy the trust and brotherhood that bind the fire and EMS community together. The actions of one person do not represent the thousands of honorable men and women who dedicate themselves every day to protecting and caring for others.

Our thoughts should remain with Mindy, her family, her friends, her colleagues, and everyone whose lives have been forever changed by this tragedy.

God bless Mindy. May she forever rest in peace, and may her memory remain in the hearts of all who knew, loved, worked beside, and served with her.

07/11/2026

This is what every fire department is going through.

07/07/2026

Great instructor. He sure will be missed.

07/04/2026

Apr262025 Recruitment Open House(COTTEKILL, N.Y.) — As part of the annual RecruitNY statewide initiative, the Cottekill Volunteer Fire Company (CVFC) will open its doors so residents… Read more »

07/03/2026

Here is an old one compliments from Jeff Rossitz who do you know and no year on it