Special Response Teams
Fire Fighter Assistance Team
The City of Oneonta FAST, is one team of a four department group. The group responds to structure fires within each team member's district. As an Operating Procedure, all teams are dispatched together to responses to provide the safest adequate deployment of the team members on any rescues that arise. The team is also frequently requested mutual aid by other departments.
Tactical EMS Team
Three firefighter/EMTs have been trained in police tactic responses to enable them to accompany the local, and some adjacent, police SRT teams.
American Heart Association CPR Instructors
Currently three members are certified in CPR instruction to enable them to train others in the life saving skills of CPR and airway obstruction. These individuals train a number of outside groups and individuals annually, as well as provide annual refresher training for department members.
EMS Bike Team
Several department members make up this team. Initially, training for team members was provided by SUNY Oneonta Police Bike Team instructors. OFD team responses include several large annual events in the district and some special requests for this type of coverage. The team assists the department at these events to make treating and responses quicker and easier when maneuvering within large crowds or remote locations.
New York State Fire Instructors
Several members are certified instructors providing instruction through the state/county level outreach training program to area firefighters. These members also provide some of the needed instruction at OFD. They are an important resource that enables the department to meet all training requirements and update annually.
New York State EMS Instructors
Two members are state certified Medical Instructors/Evaluators that teach classes at our county Emergency Services as well as provide inter-department training and evaluations. These firefighters are a valued resource that enables the Fire Department to stay at the leading edge within our medical services field. One member currently serves on the county and regional EMS committees.
County Hazardous Materials Team
Chief Patrick Pidgeon serves the City of Oneonta on this team. He is currently the Chief of this countywide response team. Chief Pidgeon's increasing knowledge and resource contact abilities in the area of hazardous materials is an extremely vital resource to the City of Oneonta Fire Department.
Fire Prevention
Members annually visit the local elementary schools to speak to approximately 1200 children on various fire safety and fire hazard topics. Firefighters instruct fire safety classes as requested for local groups and organizations. The local fraternity and sorority houses also receive fire safety talks annually to enable them to have housing permits for off campus living. Annually, the Fire Department receives visits from area grade school children and organizations.
Fire Investigators
Several members are New York State certified Fire Arson Investigators. These members are responsible for determining the cause of all non-apparent fires for the department. Members work side by side with both local and state agencies to investigate and make determinations on fires.
BOCES Fire Science Internship
Being the only career department in the immediate area, the local BOCES have sent students interested in the Fire Science field to intern for their senior year with the department. A student spends several days a week in the station learning and working side-by-side with the members. Interns respond on all EMS and fire calls.
