Onondaga Hill Fire Department

It was a busy morning for the Onondaga Hill Volunteers staffing the station. Between 0900 and 1800 the crew responded on 6 calls for service and completed a smoke detector inspection at a residence in the first due.

At 09:08 crews were alerted to an Unconscious Person, Squad 5 handled the call arriving within 2 minutes of dispatch.

At 09:22 while the Squad crew was clearing, members were alerted for a Working Structure in the Fairmount Fire District. Ladder 2 (Chief D. Garofalo) took in the alarm arriving as the 3rd due truck company. The crew assisted with overhaul before returning to service to provide area coverage as Engine 94 while Fairmount companies remained committed to the fire scene.

At 10:00 while clearing the fire scene Engine 94 was immediately dispatched to check low hanging wires creating a hazard in Fairmount’s district, the hazard wire was addressed and reported to the utility company.

At 11:09 Engine 94 was back out for a report of a Motor Vehicle Collision involving a commercial structure in the Camillus Fire District, Engine 94 arrived second due and operated for approximately 10 minutes before returning to service.

At 12:11 while headed to Green Hills Farms to collect lunch supplies, Engine 94 was added to an MVC, this time with possible entrapment in the Lafayette Fire District. Engine 94 arrived while crews onscene were removing the patient from the vehicle and assisted with minor hazards.

After clearing the scene, Engine 94 returned to the district to preform a smoke detector inspection as well as do some afternoon training.

At 16:33 Rescue 1 (Pres. Warren) and Engine 3 (Lt. Pereira) responded to an MVC with injuries in our first due. Rescue 1 and Engine 3 arrived to find a vehicle in a ditch with a single occupant requesting an ambulance. Rescue 1 provided medical care to the patient while Engine 3 addressed on scene hazards. Crews cleared the scene within 30 minutes.

At 17:38 Ladder 2 (Cpt. Taylor) and Truck 44 (Lt. Pereira) were back out responding to a fire alarm at Hillbrook Detention Facility. Crews investigated and determined it to be a false alarm before returning to service.

Today, and every day, we remember and honor their sacrifice.

E.O.W.
04-14-2024
Michael "Ho**ch" Hoosock

Today marks exactly two years since our community and our agency were forever changed. Sheriff Toby Shelley and the entire Onondaga County Sheriff's Office pause today to honor the memory, bravery, and profound legacy of Lieutenant Michael "Ho**ch" Hoosock.

It has been two years since his End of Watch, yet the void he left behind is still felt deeply by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Ho**ch was a remarkable leader, a devoted public servant, and a true friend. His unwavering dedication to the people of Onondaga County and his incredible spirit continue to inspire us every single day.

On this heavy anniversary, we also extend our deepest respect and remembrance to Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen. Officer Jensen made the ultimate sacrifice alongside Lieutenant Hoosock, and his courage will forever be etched in the heart of our community. Two incredible heroes, united in duty and in sacrifice.

To the Hoosock and Jensen families, we stand with you today and always. We know that the passage of time does not erase the pain of your loss, but please know that their memories are kept brilliantly alive in the work we do.

Rest in peace, Lieutenant Hoosock and Officer Jensen. You are deeply missed, never forgotten, and forever our heroes.

With profound respect,

Sheriff Toby Shelley
The Onondaga County Sheriff's Office

This past afternoon proved very busy for the Onondaga Hill Volunteers.

Just after 14:00, while the duty crew was wrapping up a demonstration fire for a group of the SUNY OCC Fire Protection Program students, members were alerted to a fire alarm activation at the Onondaga Town Hall. While the ladder crew was preparing to respond to that alarm additional reports of a pole fire and an electrical fire were received on Cleveland Rd and the Byrne Dairy respectively.

With a first party caller reporting a smoke odor in the business, the duty crew on the Ladder diverted to the Byrne Dairy while additional manpower responding from home manned the Engine and Squad to take the other alarms.

With additional calls coming into the station as crews were clearing calls, members ended up responding to a total of 7 alarms in under 30 minutes. In total throughout the day, members responded to 12 calls for service in our first due. As a reminder, while members can take requests for service via our station phone, to ensure the fastest and most appropriate response please call our friends at Onondaga County 911 to report any incidents requiring immediate response.

As we come into New York’s fire season we would like to remind everyone of the annual spring burn ban from the DEC. Over the past few weeks members have been freshening up on various brushfire response techniques, ranging from extended lays, digging of control lines, use of backpack pumps, and the use of the ATV. Make sure to avoid outdoor burning whenever possible and for more information on the burn ban visit the DECs website at dec.ny.gov.

January was a busy month for the Onondaga Hill Volunteers with members taking in 94 calls for service. Thanks to members staffing the station we averaged a 4 minute and 14 second dispatch to arrival time, ranking second fastest in the county.

Calls for service this month included a structure fire, pile up MVC, tractor trailer fire, auto entrapment, first due apartment and high rise box alarms, 9 cardiac arrests and multiple flooding calls.

Are you a current or perspective college student interested in bunk-in opportunities, we currently have 3 bunk-in openings for the fall semester, visit our website for more information.

This morning at approximately 7:08 Ladder 2 (FF. Saw) was special added to a Signal 99 Multiple Occupancy Fire in the Warners Memphis Fire District.

On arrival the crew was assigned to assist with outside suppression efforts while the ladder pipe was put into operation to knock down fire in the roof. The ladder crew remained on scene assisting for approximately 2 1/2 hours before returning to service.

This afternoon at approximately 14:21 hours Onondaga Hill Rescue 1 (Capt. Taylor) and Car 1 (Chief D. Garofalo) were added to a Signal 80 on SB I 81 in the Tully Fire District.

Initial callers reported a large pile up collision involving up to 40 vehicles including tractor trailers and one vehicle on fire. Rescue 1 arrived as second due Rescue Company, assigned to check vehicles for entrapment and injuries. Throughout the course of the incident the crew ultimately treated 10 patients with only one requiring transport.

While Rescue 1 and Car 1 operated on the interstate, Engine 3 (Lt. Pereira) remained staffed in station for coverage of the area. All Onondaga Hill units returned to service after approximately an hour on scene.

Are you and your family weather ready? The National Weather Service in Binghamton has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for this evening due to icing conditions. In addition to tonight’s icy conditions the weather service has announced a Winter Storm Warning for Monday evening until Wednesday morning with anticipated snow totals approaching or exceeding 14 inches of snow and wind gust approaching 50 mph. Drifting snow is known to cover exhaust vents for gas appliances and can lead to a build up of Carbon Monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas which can replace oxygen in your body leading to nausea, headache, drowsiness, and even death. Be sure to test your carbon monoxide detectors and when possible check any exhaust vents prior to using gas burning appliances like dryers.

**Santa Claus can’t wait to see you**

We will be once again escorting Santa throughout our district on Sunday December 14th!

Onondaga Hill Ladder 2 will be leaving the station with Santa at 5:30pm! Check the comments for a list of the route as well as a map below.
Note: We will have our lights and sirens on throughout the evening and in the event of an emergency we may need to break away from the route. We are so excited to see you and we appreciate your continued support and patience.

The Onondaga Hill Fire Department is pleased to announce the elected and appointed officials for 2026:

Chief of Department: Dante Garofalo
Deputy Chief: Samuel Garofalo

Captain: Keegan Taylor

Engine Co. Lieutenant: Aidan Rodgers
Rescue Co. Lieutenant: Michael Pereira
Truck Co. Lieutenant: Ryan Oconnor

President: Jeremy Warren
Vice President: Tina Rudiger
Assistant Secretary: Alyssa Garofalo
Treasurer: Sarah Martin
Assistant Treasurer: Ryan Oconnor
Board of Director: Riley Bender