These days, fire departments have to be more than just fire trucks. If you get a chance stop by your local fire department ask about volunteering and ask them to show you some of the equipment they use on scene at an emergency.

It might surprise you how many different pieces of equipment including trucks it takes to help the community whether it be a fire, an accident, or even a weather emergency. Just about all agencies have equipment specific to their area. Boats if they are near water, tall ladders if they have tall buildings in their jurisdiction.

Hudson Valley Fire Departments Called Back to a Fire Scene in Orange County

Plattekill Fire Department
Plattekill Fire Department via Facebook
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Last Friday both the Plattekill Fire Department and Cronomer Valley Fire Department were sent back to an area that was reporting smoldering hot spots from an earlier brush fire. The location was the Hemlock Ridge Day use area in the Town of Plattekill. And it turned out some of that special equipment came in handy.

Plattekill Fire Department
Plattekill Fire Department via Facebook
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Others got called out including the Ulster and Orange County fire coordinators. According to a Facebook post shared Friday night by the Plattekill Fire Department, a drone was launched by the Ulster County Deputy Fire Coordinators so that they could get a look at the scene from the air.

The post also states that the location of the fire required the Plattekill Fire Department's brush equipment and Milton Fire Company brought out an ATV.

Drone Being Flown to Assist in Putting Out a Forest Fire

Illegal Campfire Responsible for the Blaze

The Drone flight determined that the fire had spread and that required additional resources to be called out. The fire was burning in a very rocky area making it difficult to reach and extinguish. The fire departments ended up needing rope to reach the area to finish fighting the fire.

Plattekill Fire Department
Plattekill Fire Department via Facebook
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Eventually, the fire was put out but not before multiple agencies chipped in to help get water to the fire to put it out.

Fire was extinguished by shuttling water in brush firefighting equipped all terrain vehicles, hand tools and brute force.
Approximately 1000 gallons of water was used to help extinguish the fire. (via Plattekill Fire Department via Facebook)
The social media post also mentioned that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation was able to determine that the fire was started by a campfire that was left unattended.

Hudson Valley Agencies that Helped included

Cronomer Valley Fire Department, Modena Fire & Rescue, Milton Engine, Marlboro Firefighters, Clintondale Fire Department, Wallkill Hook, Ladder and Hose Co., Middlehope Fire District were all requested to the scene with Brush Firefighting equipment and manpower. It took over 6 hours to put out the fire.
Plattekill Fire Department
Plattekill Fire Department via Facebook
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Hudson Valley New York Camping Resorts

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Gallery Credit: Paty Quyn

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Gallery Credit: Hannah Lang

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