Plattekill Fire Department

09/11/2026

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the members of the Plattekill Fire Department announce the passing of Life Member Frederick J.J. “Butch” Osterhoudt.

Butch, 80, of Plattekill, NY, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center following a brief illness.

Butch was a Life Member of the Plattekill Fire Department and a part of our proud 100-year legacy. His dedication and years of service will forever be remembered as part of the department’s history.

We extend our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to Butch’s family and loved ones. During this difficult time, may they find comfort in the memories they shared and in knowing that their firehouse family stands beside them.

As a mark of respect and in honor of his service, the Plattekill Fire Department has ordered our department flags to be flown at half-staff in memory of Butch. This tribute will serve as a visible reminder of a member of our firehouse family who has passed from our ranks.

As we mourn his passing, we honor the life he lived and the legacy he leaves behind.

Rest easy, Butch. You will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gilpatric-VanVliet Funeral Home, 339 Broadway, Ulster Park, NY 12487.

09/11/2026

Twenty-five years later, we remember September 11, 2001, and the men and women who answered the call and ran toward the danger.

We remember those who never came home. We remember those who survived, but carried the physical and emotional consequences of that day. We remember those who became ill and those who later lost their lives from the effects of their service and exposure at Ground Zero.

Their sacrifice did not end on September 11th. Neither does our remembrance.

Today, we ask our community to pause, reflect, and remember the responders, civilians, families, and loved ones whose lives were forever changed.

25 years later, we remember. We honor. We will never forget.

September 11, 2001 - Never Forget.

09/08/2026

WHO IS CHECKING ON THE RESPONDERS?

We spend our careers asking, “What do you need?”

-We check our patients.
-We check our equipment.
-We check our apparatus.
-We check the scene.

We are always doing that 360°. But who is checking on us, who is doing that 360° on us?

Firefighters, EMS providers, dispatchers, law enforcement officers, and other emergency responders see trauma, death, injury, exhaustion, and experiences most people will never understand.

And sometimes the person struggling the most is the one standing right next to you.

They still answer the calls…
Still make the jokes…
Still wear the uniform…
Still say, “I’m good.”

They may not be.

Su***de prevention starts before the crisis.

-Notice the changes.
-Ask the uncomfortable question.
-Listen without judgment.
-And don’t assume they’ll ask for help, because Sometimes they won’t.

YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IS NOT A LIABILITY. IT IS PART OF YOUR LIFE SAFETY.

We train to save lives. That should include saving yours.

We also need to recognize when one of our own needs saving.

-Check on your crew.
-Check on your partner.
-Check on the quiet one.
-Check on yourself.

Don’t wait, because it may be too late.

If you or someone you know is struggling or thinking about su***de, call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. If there is immediate danger, call 911.

Sometimes the longest and loneliest walk, is the one in your mind.

09/07/2026

🚌 BACK TO SCHOOL SCHOOL BUS SAFETY 🚒

The school year is here, which means more buses, more children, and more activity on our roads. School bus safety is everyone’s responsibility.

For drivers, one simple rule matters most:

🛑 STOP FOR THE BUS.

When a school bus is stopped with flashing red lights and the stop-arm extended, you must come to a complete stop. On a two-lane roadway, traffic in both directions must stop and remain stopped at least 20 feet from the bus.

🟡 See flashing yellow lights? Slow down. The bus is preparing to stop. Be ready.

Please Watch for children. Expect children near bus stops, in neighborhoods, and around schools. They may not always be paying attention to traffic!

For parents and students:

• Arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes early.
• Stay at least three giant steps, about 6 feet, from the edge of the road.
• Wait until the bus has completely stopped and the driver signals that it is safe to approach.
• If crossing the street, stay well in front of the bus and make eye contact with the driver.
• Never chase a dropped item near the bus. Tell the driver and wait for instructions.
• If the driver sounds the horn while you are crossing, immediately return to the sidewalk or safe area.

Stopping isn’t a suggestion. It’s the law. More importantly, it could be the difference between a child getting home safely or not.

As the Plattekill Fire Department, we ask everyone in our community to slow down, stay alert, and give our children the protection they deserve.

Have a safe school year!

Plattekill Fire Department, Serving Today. Protecting Tomorrow.

Wallkill Central Schools

09/07/2026

🚒 August 2026 Call Volume Report 🚑

As the Plattekill Fire Department proudly celebrates 100 Years of Service (1926-2026), our volunteer members continue answering the call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

During August 2026, our department responded to 67 emergency incidents, reflecting the dedication, training, teamwork, and commitment that have defined our service to the Town of Plattekill and our neighboring communities for the past century.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

📊 August Incident Breakdown

30 EMS Alarms
• 13 Critical Patients
• 9 Stable Patients
• 5 Unstable Patients
• 1 Critical / Life-Threatening Patient
• 1 Medical Alarm
• 1 Standby Request

20 Mutual Aid Responses
• Clintondale Fire Department — 13
• Cronomer Valley Fire Department — 6
• Modena Fire Department — 1

7 Personal Injury Automobile Accidents (PIAA)

6 Hazardous Materials Incidents

1 Automatic Fire Alarm

1 Outdoor Electrical Emergency
• Trees / Wires Down

1 Structure Fire

1 Vehicle Fire

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

2026 Total Responses: 514

Our members continue to respond across the Plattekill Fire Department’s district while also providing mutual aid to our neighboring fire departments and communities when requested.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

For 100 years, the members of the Plattekill Fire Department have stood ready whenever our neighbors needed us most. That legacy continues today through dedicated volunteers who train, respond, and serve something greater than themselves.

Every call represents a neighbor, a family, a roadway, a home, or a community that needed help. Whether responding to an EMS emergency, a motor vehicle accident, a fire, a hazardous materials incident, or assisting one of our mutual aid partners, our members remain ready to answer the call.

🙋 Interested in becoming part of our proud tradition of service?

Visit www.plattekillfiredepartment.com to learn more about volunteering with the Plattekill Fire Department.

09/02/2026

💜SEPTEMBER | SU***DE PREVENTION & RECOVERY MONTH💜

In the fire and emergency services, we spend our days taking care of others. This month, we’re reminded to take care of each other, too.

The calls we answer, the things we see, the long hours, and the weight we sometimes carry home can take a toll. No one should have to carry that weight alone.

At the Plattekill Fire Department, we encourage our members and our community to check in, listen, support one another, and never be afraid to ask for help.

There is no shame in saying, “I’m not okay.” There is strength in reaching out, and there is strength in being there for someone who does.

Look after your brother. Look after your sister. Look after yourself.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

You matter. Your life matters. And you don’t have to face it alone.

https://www.iafc.org/blogs/blog/iafc/2026/08/25/national-recovery-su***de-prevention-month-supporting-firefighter-behavioral-health

09/01/2026

08/30/2026

As we continued to celebrate the incredible milestone of 100 years of service to our community, we would like to take a moment to recognize and sincerely thank our mutual aid partners who stepped up to cover the Plattekill Fire District while our members celebrated this historic occasion.

A special thank you to our friends from the Port Ewen Fire Department, Rifton Fire Department, New Paltz Rescue, and Town of Newburgh Emergency Services for providing coverage and ensuring that our community remained protected throughout the celebration.

Your friendship, professionalism, and willingness to answer the call for assistance means more to us than words can express. Without your support, our members would not have been able to fully enjoy and celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime milestone together.

The fire service is built on mutual aid, trust, and friendship, and yesterday was a perfect reminder of just how fortunate we are to have such incredible neighboring agencies standing beside us.

From all of us at the Plattekill Fire Department, thank you for helping make our 100th Anniversary celebration possible. We are proud to call you our mutual aid partners and, most importantly, our friends.

Port Ewen Volunteer Fire Department
Rifton Fire Department
New Paltz Rescue Squad
Town of Newburgh Emergency Medical Services

08/29/2026

🚨 Important Announcements 🚨

Today is the day!

The Plattekill Fire Department 100th Anniversary Celebration & Parade is here, and we’re already up and getting ready to celebrate 100 YEARS of service, tradition, and community!

Here’s what parade participants and spectators should follow for today, Saturday, August 29th:

📍 PARADE PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION 📍
All parade participants MUST register at the registration booth located at Thomas Felton Community Park.

🕑 Registration: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

🚒 LINEUP:
All participants must be in their assigned lineup position by 3:30 PM.

🎉 PARADE START: 4:00 PM

🚨 TRAFFIC ALERT
ALL ROADS ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE WILL CLOSE AT 3:40 PM. 🚨
Please plan accordingly and arrive early!

🅿️ SPECTATOR PARKING
All spectator parking will be located in the large field at Patura and Route 32.

♿ HANDICAP PARKING
A limited number of handicap parking spaces will be available in the main parking lot at Thomas Felton Community Park.

Come early, find your spot, and get ready to celebrate a CENTURY OF SERVICE!

🚒 1926–2026 | 100 YEARS OF SERVICE 🚒