West Sand Lake Fire Department Holding Next Community Workshop for New Station

Using input gathered from previous community workshops, membership and community surveys, and facilities meetings, the West Sand Lake Fire Department has continued to develop the plan and conceptual design for a new station. To present the most recent conceptual design and cost estimates, the department is holding our FINAL community workshop on Wednesday, November 29 from 7:00pm – 9:00pm in the fire hall. All are welcome and encouraged to attend to provide feedback, ask questions, and stay informed on the planning process.

The Board of Fire Commissioners has authorized two propositions for bond resolutions for the public to consider for vote on December 12th 2023. All West Sand Lake Fire District residents who have been registered voters for at least 30 days prior to this bond referendum vote are eligible to vote. 

There will be two propositions during this vote:

PROPOSITION 1: Authorizing the Board of Fire Commissioners to undertake a capital project for construction of a new fire station with a total project cost not to exceed $11,500,000. Additionally, the board seeks authorization to expend $1,000,000 of reserve funds to offset the total project cost resulting in a bond not to exceed $10,500,000.  

PROPOSITION 2: Authorizing the Board of Fire Commissioners to undertake a capital project for rehabilitation of the existing original fire station with a total project cost not to exceed $350,000.

Fire Station Project – Documents & Information Available here on our website!
CLICK THIS LINK TO VISIT AND LEARN MORE! 

 

 

150+ Years of Service

2022 marked the 150^th year the West Sand Lake Volunteer Fire Department has served the town of Sand Lake.  The West Sand Lake Volunteer Fire Company #1 was the 3^rd rural volunteer fire company to be organized in Rensselaer County and the 1^st in the Town of Sand Lake.

Mill owner, John McLaren, spearheaded the organization of the fire company as a way to protect the local mills.  In the 1870’s the members protected the mills and homes in the village with “bucket brigades” until they raised enough funds to purchase their first apparatus, “Old Joe”, in April of 1876.  “Old Joe” is currently displayed in the museum portion of our fire hall.

The West Sand Lake Fire Department currently protects over 10 square miles of rural and suburban Rensselaer County including over 5000 residents. We have approximately 40 active firefighters, and respond to over 350 calls for service each year.

 

2023 Fire Department Statistics:

January 1, 2023 – October 31, 2023 
Total Calls:  351
Total Person Hours: 6,177.8

January 2023 – 35 Total Calls (11 Fire, 24 EMS)
February 2023 – 34 Total Call (9 Fire, 25 EMS)
March 2023 – 46 Total Calls (27 Fire, 19 EMS) 
April 2023 – 26 Total Calls (13 Fire, 13 EMS)
May 2023 – 38 Total Calls (25 Fire, 13 EMS)
June 2023 – 45 Total Calls (15 Fire, 30 EMS)
July 2023 – 36 Total Calls (15 Fire, 21 EMS)
August 2023 – 36 Total Calls (16 Fire, 20 EMS)
September 2023 – 26 Total Calls (11 Fire, 15 EMS)
October 2023 – 29 Total Calls (9 Fire, 20 EMS)
November 2023 – 
December 2023 – 

---