Protecting the "Home of Baseball" for over 200 years, the Cooperstown Fire Department continues its proud tradition of service in and around Cooperstown, NY.
With an average of about 75 volunteers, our Fire/Rescue, EMS and Fire Police teams serve to protect and assist the citizens of and visitors to Cooperstown and the surrounding areas of Otsego County.
Remembering our history, and with your support, we carry on our tradition of emergency response and community service.
The annual Equipment Fund Drive is held during the winter months of December through March via a mailing to all district residents. Donations received go directly to the Equipment Account, and use is restricted to the purchase, maintenance, and enhancement of equipment essential to vehicle and department operations.
The annual Fireworks Drive is held May through July, via a mailing to all district residents.
Donations to either are accepted and appreciated all year around.
To donate, simply write 'Equipment Fund' or "Fireworks Fund" on the check memo field or mailing envelope.
No stated preference on donations go to the department General Operations account.
Cooperstown Volunteer Fire Department is IRS recognized as a 501(c)(3) "Not-for-Profit" charitable organization.
Donations to CFD may be deductible for tax purposes. Check with your tax return preparer for eligibility.
There are a number of email addresses we use to coordinate activities and distribute tasks across the department:
for general information: info@cooperstownfd.org
for questions related to recruitment: recruiting@cooperstownfd.org
If you have a particular request for a specific board member, or regarding the various community services we provide, please see Contact Us.
You can mail letters and packages to our P.O. Box at:
Cooperstown Fire Dept.
P.O. Box 1
Cooperstown, NY 13326
or visit us in person (when open) at:
24 Chestnut Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326
The department hosts a number of public and private meetings throughout the year. See our Department Calendar.
The department drills twice a month on the second and fourth Wednesday at 6:30pm. The monthly officer and member business meeting is held after the drill on the fourth Wednesday, usually starting at 8:30pm.
The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Squad also meets at the station on the first Monday of the month at 7pm.
The department hosts or participates in public special events such as memorial and celebration parades, school and public fire and medical safety, and EMS education activities throughout the year. Watch for the department sponsored annual Fourth of July fireworks display, and the annual EMS sponsored Winter Food Drive.
The Cooperstown Fire Department is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) Not-for-Profit charitable organization. It is funded in part by the Village of Cooperstown and from local and state insurance and fire tax revenues, and emergency service agreements established with neighboring towns. Those tax funds, generous and reliable as they are, make up only about one-third of the department's annual income, and some of those funds come restricted by state guidelines and limitations on use.
Donations from local businesses and the general public make up the bulk of the remaining department operating, equipment and special event funds, which are used for or to supplement purchases of equipment, supplies and training, and for department and community events and education programs.
To see "How to Donate", or to make a contribution of funds, goods or a service, or to learn more about existing funds and drives, please visit our "Donate" page.
IMPORTANT: While we are one department, Fire & Rescue and EMS serve different functions and are required to maintain separate bank accounts.
For FIRE DEPARTMENT donations, make a check payable and send to:
Cooperstown Fire Department
PO Box 1
Cooperstown, NY 13326
For EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE (EMS) donations, make a check payable and send to:
Cooperstown EMS
PO Box 322
Cooperstown, NY 13326
Donating to department Fire and Rescue via PayPal is now available at our "Donate" tab!
This feature for EMS should be available in the near future (but IS NOT yet).
If you'd like to reserve the Fire Hall for a private event, or if you'd like to submit a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) Records Request, please contact the Village Clerk by phone at (607)547-2411, or by sending them a letter specifying your request.
Village Clerk
Village of Cooperstown Offices
22 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607) 547-2411
In addition to hosting public and private events, we perform a number of additional services for the community.
One of the most visible of these is the digital signage that we maintain outside of the station that displays information of general interest to the community.
If you'd like to submit a message of community interest for your group or organization, fill out the LED Sign form on this page to begin the process of requesting your message (scroll down to complete the full request).
Please note that messages of a personal or family nature are considered for approval on a case-by-case basis.
The Cooperstown Fire Department of Otsego County is part of the over 70% of fire departments in the United States which are run exclusively by volunteers. As such, we are always looking for new members and would be happy to have you join the team!
You can start the process by emailing recruiting@cooperstownfd.org with some of your information and availability. A checklist of steps and additional information on training and requirements is available on the become a member section.