Minerva Volunteer Fire & Rescue

10/16/2026

We are so thankful for all of the different ways we are able to give to our community!

10/15/2026

Our condolences to our neighboring department and Michel’s family and friends.

10/15/2026

It is with heavy hearts that the members of the Minerva Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad announce the passing of our fellow member, Ron Sanalitro.

Ron joined our department in 2016 as an ambulance driver for the Rescue Squad. He had dedicated his time to the department in many other ways. In 2020, he obtained his Fire Police Certification, serving as one of our most dedicated Fire Police. He often was found directing traffic on fire scenes. Ron also served a term as a member of the Board of Directors in 2018. He was an extremely committed member, attending drills and meetings faithfully. He was always willing to do anything that was asked of him.

Ron was part of our department family, and his passing is a tremendous loss to our members and the community we serve. We are grateful for the time and service he gave to our department and will remember his commitment to serving others.

During this difficult time, we extend our deepest condolences to Ron’s family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. We ask that our community keep his loved ones and fellow department members in their thoughts as we mourn the loss of one of our own.

Rest easy, Ron. Thank you for your years of service and dedication to your community. You will be remembered, and you are missed.

10/08/2026

IN THE NEWS
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At approximately 5:23 pm Monday October 5th, Minerva Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire in the Town of Minerva.

Upon arrival, Firefighter Dubay, with E493, reported a working structure fire. At this time, North Creek Volunteer Fire Department and Pottersville Fire Department were requested for Mutual Aid.

The scene was later upgraded to a third alarm by Chief Wright. Minerva Fire Department’s third alarm is a tanker assignment. This is where numerous mutual aid departments are dispatched to assist in fire suppression via a tanker shuttle. Mutual Aid departments dispatched were Chestertown Volunteer Fire Department, Horicon Fire Department Inc., Riverside Volunteer Fire Department, and North River Volunteer Fire Company Inc. A fill site was established on 28N on Moxham flats by North River Volunteer Fire Company Inc. while all other Mutual Aid Departments assisted on scene.

Units cleared the scene and back in service at approximately 8:30 pm.

Huge thank you to all the Mutual Aid Departments and other Emergency Services who showed up to support us.

Minerva Fire Units on scene:

- Car 390 Chief Wright
- Car 393 Lieutenant Galusha
- Car 394 Lieutenant Wright
- E494
- E493
- E492
- R291

Mutual Aid:

- Pottersville Volunteer Fire Department
- North Creek Volunteer Fire Company Inc.
- Chestertown Volunteer Fire Department
- Horicon Fire Department Inc.
- Riverside Volunteer Fire Department
- North River Volunteer Fire Company Inc.
- Schroon Lake Volunteer Fire Department

EMS:

- Johnsburg Emergency Squad
- Newcomb Emergency Squad

Law Enforcement:

- New York State Police

County:

- Warren County Fire Coordinator
- Essex County Fire Coordinators

Others:

- American Red Cross

10/08/2026

Thank you Minerva Central School for having us and allowing us to give a presentation for Fire Prevention Week!

Fire Prevention Week is a week nationally observed each year in October and is used to inform the public on the importance of fire safety and prevention.

This year Fire Prevention Week is October 4–10, 2026. “The theme is “Charge Into Fire Safety. Safe Charging Is a Superpower” which focuses on the everyday charging habits that can help reduce the risk of battery related fires and keep homes and communities safer.

Plug in. Power up. Stay safe.

Many devices used in our daily lives - phones, tablets, laptops, tools, toys, e-bikes, and scooters—run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which store a lot of energy in a small space. If they are damaged or charged the wrong way, they can overheat, start a fire, or even explode.

The way you charge your lithium-ion battery devices can make a difference in helping prevent home fires. It comes down to using simple habits each time you plug in.

• Use the cord and charger that came with your device or one approved by the manufacturer. Using the wrong charger can damage the battery and increase the risk of fire.

• Charge devices on a table, desk, or other hard, flat surface. Do not charge them on beds, couches, or under pillows. Devices and chargers produce heat during normal charging. Soft surfaces can trap heat and block airflow, which can cause the battery to overheat.

• Stop using your device if it feels very hot, starts to swell, is smoking, or has a strange smell. These are warning signs that the battery may be damaged or failing.

• Unplug your device when it is fully charged. Do not leave it plugged in longer than needed. Leaving a device plugged in too long can increase heat and stress on the battery.

• Charge larger items like e-bikes, scooters, and power tools outside and away from exits. These batteries are larger and store more energy. If they fail, fires can grow quickly and spread.

• When on a plane, keep your device where you can see it while charging. Do not charge devices in overhead compartments. Do not charge e-cigarettes or vapes on a plane. If a battery overheats or fails, it is important for the flight crew to respond quickly.

If you’re interested in giving back to your community and looking for an opportunity to volunteer, check out our website at www.mvfdrs.org or visit us at Monday night at 7 pm at our fire house!

10/06/2026

10/01/2026

🩷 The month of October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month 🩷

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a health campaign that’s held every October. It aims to promote screening and prevention of the disease, which affects 2.3 million women worldwide. Known best for its pink theme color, the month features a number of campaigns and programs that aim to:

- supporting people diagnosed with breast cancer, including those with metastatic breast cancer
- educating people about breast cancer risk factors
- encouraging women to go for regular breast cancer screening starting at age 40 or earlier, depending on personal breast cancer risk.
- fundraising for breast cancer research

For more information:
https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month/

Nobody fights alone 🩷

09/28/2026

Is your child interested in becoming a firefighter?

If you have a child who is interested in fire trucks, firefighting, or learning what it takes to serve their community, our Junior Firefighter Program may be a great opportunity!

The program gives young people the chance to learn about the fire service, develop valuable skills, build confidence, and become part of a team. It’s a great way to meet new friends, learn responsibility, and explore what being a firefighter is all about.

Whether they’ve always dreamed of riding on a fire truck or are simply curious about the fire service, we’d love to help them get started!

Parents: If your child is interested in joining, send us a message or reach out at the contact information listed below for more information about the program and how to get involved.

The future of our fire department starts with our youth!

Don’t forget to check out our website at www.mvfdrs.org!

09/28/2026

Summer Training Recap

As we wrap up the summer, our members have been putting in the time and effort to continue sharpening their skills through a variety of training drills.

From hands on skills and equipment operations to practicing real world scenarios, every training gives our members an opportunity to learn, improve, and work together as a team.

Training is one of the most important parts of the fire service. The situations we respond to are unpredictable, and when the call comes in, there is no time to learn how to do something for the first time. Training allows us to build confidence, develop muscle memory, understand our equipment, and prepare to make good decisions under pressure.

A huge thank you to all of our members who took time out of their summer to attend drills, practice, teach, and continue improving. The work we put in at the fire house directly impacts the service we provide to our community.

If you wish to learn more about how you can give back to your community, visit our website at www.mvfdrs.org or stop by the fire house any Monday night at 7:00 pm!

Below are some images from our summer drills nights.