Mechanicville Fire Department

09/24/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mechanicville Fire Department Awarded $160,000 FEMA Grant to Equip 28 Firefighters
MECHANICVILLE, N.Y. — September 22, 2026 — The Mechanicville Fire Department has been awarded $160,000 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Fiscal Year 2025 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. Combined with an $8,000 local contribution, the award provides $168,000 to purchase 28 complete sets of structural firefighting protective equipment.

Each set will provide a firefighter with a protective coat and pants, helmet, boots, gloves and two hoods. The new equipment will replace aging gear and help protect members during fires and other hazardous responses. FEMA approved a cost of $6,000 per set, reflecting the specialized materials, protective construction and fitting required for equipment firefighters depend on in dangerous conditions.

The AFG program helps fire departments and other emergency response organizations obtain critical equipment, protective gear, vehicles and training. Its purpose is to improve the safety of firefighters and the communities they serve. For Mechanicville, the award makes a major equipment replacement possible while limiting the local contribution to $8,000.

“Protecting our community begins with protecting the firefighters who answer its calls,” said Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Dunn. “This award will allow us to equip 28 members with the gear they need to work safely and effectively. It is a substantial investment in our department’s readiness, in our volunteers and in the people of Mechanicville who rely on us.”

“This grant is a tremendous return for our taxpayers,” said City of Mechanicville Council. “An $8,000 local match brought in $168,000 of life-saving equipment for our firefighters. That is exactly the kind of outside funding the City should keep pursuing — it protects our residents and our volunteers without adding to the burden on local taxpayers.”

The Mechanicville Fire Department serves the City of Mechanicville in Saratoga County and provides mutual aid to neighboring communities.
The department extends its sincerest thanks to U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and his staff for their support and for helping bring attention to its application. It also thanks FEMA’s AFG program and its representatives for their assistance and commitment to firefighter safety.

The grant application was written by Julie Burline of MJ Burben, Inc., on behalf of the Mechanicville Fire Department.

Media contact:
Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Dunn
Mechanicville Fire Department
36 North Main Street, Mechanicville, NY 12118
(518) 664-6121 | (518) 633-7226
[email protected]

08/24/2026

08/14/2026

Please see attached.

08/14/2026

For Immediate Release:

The Officers and Members of the Mechanicville Fire Department are truly saddened to announce the passing of Our Senior Man, Past Chief T. Joseph Dugan. Chief Dugan passed away on Wednesday at the age of 99. He devoted 79 years of service to the Mechanicville Fire Department beginning in 1947. In 1961, he began two years of service as Chief of Department after serving the previous two years as Assistant Chief.

Chief Dugan had a tremendous sense of Public Service. Beginning in 1945 when he joined the United States Navy as a member of the Greatest Generation. After serving in the Navy he came back to Mechanicville where he began his storied career in the Fire Service. The Chief worked for many years with the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control and then the NYS Dormitory Authority as a Fire Inspector.

Chief Dugan was also a founding member of the John H. Ahearn Rescue Squad and continued his service with the Squad until it was acquired by the Clifton Park / Halfmoon Emergency Corps.
The Mechanicville Fire Department sends its love and condolences to Joe’s children Tim, Leassa and Meg and their families. We know how much they loved “Papa Joe”. Thank you for sharing him with us for all these years.

The Officers and Members of the Mechanicville Fire Department will be paying their respects to Chief Dugan on Sunday August 16th at The All Saints on the Hudson Church in Mechanicville. The Wake and Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Devito Salvadore Funeral Home.

The Department would like to invite all neighboring Fire Departments and any firefighters that knew or worked with Chief Dugan to join them in Class A Uniforms for a Firematic Procession at 4:45 PM at the 121 North Main Street Church. Chief Dugan’s Funeral Mass will be Monday August 17th at 12:00 noon at St. Paul’s Church followed by Military Honors and Burial at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Stillwater, N.Y.

08/11/2026

08/11/2026

MECHANICVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE — STRUCTURE FIRE

192 South Main Street | Mechanicville, New York

At approximately 7:42 p.m., the Mechanicville Fire Department was dispatched to 192 South Main Street for a reported structure fire.

Car 399 arrived within seconds of dispatch and confirmed a working fire involving an approximately 25’ x 100’ garage, with heavy fire conditions and multiple explosions occurring from within the structure.

Due to the size of the building, the volume of fire, multiple explosions, and exposure concerns, command transmitted a second alarm, bringing additional personnel and apparatus to the scene.

Firefighters immediately began suppression operations while working to protect nearby exposures and prevent the fire from spreading beyond the building of origin. Through the coordinated efforts of all responding agencies, the fire was brought under control within approximately 20 minutes of the initial dispatch.

Mutual-aid and assisting agencies included Arvin Hart Fire Company, Hillcrest Fire Department, Melrose Fire Department, Hemstreet Park Fire Department, Clifton Park Fire Department, Stillwater Fire Department, Waterford Fire Department, Clifton Park-Halfmoon EMS, Saratoga County Cause and Origin Team, Saratoga County Office of Emergency Services, and the Mechanicville Police Department.

Following suppression operations, members of the Mechanicville Fire Department and Mechanicville Police Department remained on scene with the Saratoga County Cause and Origin Team to conduct an investigation into the fire. Personnel remained on scene until approximately 1:30 a.m.

At this time, the circumstances surrounding the fire are considered suspicious in nature. The incident remains under investigation by the Mechanicville Police Department, and no further information regarding the investigation is available at this time.

The Mechanicville Fire Department would like to thank all mutual-aid departments, law enforcement, EMS personnel, county agencies, dispatchers, and everyone who assisted at the scene. The quick response and coordinated efforts of all involved helped bring a significant fire under control rapidly and protect the surrounding properties.

08/05/2026

🏌️⛳ Mechanicville Fire & Police Annual Charity Golf Tournament ⛳🏌️

The Mechanicville Fire Department and Mechanicville Police Department are proud to announce our Annual Charity Golf Tournament, bringing our community together for a great day of golf while supporting a great cause!

📅 Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM Sh***un Start
📍 Location: 45 Howland Ave, Mechanicville, NY

💲 Registration: $125 per golfer
🏌️ 4-Person Scramble

Your registration includes:
✅ 18 holes of golf with cart
✅ Lunch at the turn
✅ Dinner after golf
✅ Beverages
✅ Prizes, raffles, and giveaways

All proceeds will help support:
🚒 Equipment
🤝 Community fundraising efforts
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Local youth charities

Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just looking for a fun day with friends, we’d love to have you join us. Gather your foursome, enjoy a great day on the course, and help us continue serving the Mechanicville community.

Play Golf. Support Heroes. Strengthen Our Community.

We look forward to seeing everyone on the course and thank you for your continued support of the Mechanicville Fire Department and Mechanicville Police Department! 🇺🇸🏌️🚒👮