Madison County Volunteer Firefighter's Association Inc.

05/14/2026

Good Evening, Help is needed compiled the necrology list of departed firefighters from Madison County for the Annual Memorial Service of The Central New York Firefighter’s Association. Looking for the names of any Firefighter's that departed from July 2025 to current to be read at the Central Convention Memorial Service on Saturday July 11th. This year's CNYFA convention is being hosted by The Aurelius Fire Department in Cayuga County July 10th & 11th. Please check with the following fire departments over the next two weeks for members that passed on from DeRuyter. Please email the list of names from each fire department to me at [email protected]. Please list by department and check the spelling of the names as that is what will be printed and read during the memorial service.
Secondly, Please pass this announcement onto the firefighter’s and fire departments of Madison County. The next County Firefighter’s Association meeting will be held June 11th at North Chittenango Fire Department at 7pm.

If you have any questions please let me know.

Thank You

Jeff G

01/21/2026

01/21/2026

There are still spots open! RSVP today!

01/21/2026

Save the date.

Thanks for coming out last night! Next dinner will be February 21st! Mark those calendars and we will see you there!

01/21/2026

2026 Believe 31 Challenge Coins

The Board of Directors and Executive Board of Believe 31 are proud to announce a partnership with McNeil & Company ESIP - Emergency Services Insurance Program on the newly designed 2026 Believe 31 Challenge Coin.

All proceeds raised from the sale of these challenge coins will be used to assist our brothers and sisters of the FIRE / EMS services who are battling cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.

The colors on the front of the challenge coin are associated with the various types of cancer.

To purchase a coin, please contact any director or visit our online store at:

https://believe31.org/shop/2026-Challenge-Coin-p809085348

Please note that shipping costs may vary between $5.00 and $10.00 depending on your location.

01/05/2026

The next meeting is this Thursday at the New Woodstock fire station @ 7pm
All are encouraged to attend.

12/25/2025

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas.

12/24/2025

🙏 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 🙏

The Board of Directors and Executive Board of Believe 31 Mourns the Passing of Chief Mahlon Irish Jr.

This evening, the New York State fire service lost a legendary firefighter, instructor, and one-of-a-kind mentor. Chief Mahlon Irish Jr. passed away after an 11-year battle with prostate cancer, leaving behind a legacy that will endure for generations of firefighters.

Chief Irish dedicated his life to the fire service, educating and mentoring countless firefighters across New York State and throughout the country. His impact reached far beyond the classroom and the fireground—he shaped careers, instilled values, and set a standard of excellence that many could only aspire to meet.

For Believe 31, this loss is deeply personal. Chief Irish was a pivotal figure in the development of our leadership, mission and with his badge number 31 serving as the number for Believe 31.

From inspiring young firefighters to join the service, to providing guidance through the ranks, his mentorship was constant and unwavering. Though serving in different departments, he and those he mentored shared many of the same positions, responsibilities, and commitments to service across the country.

Chief Mahlon Irish Jr. was more than a firefighter or instructor—he was a leader in the truest sense, one who invested in people and believed deeply in the future and cancer prevention in the fire service.

On behalf of Believe 31, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Chief Irish’s family, friends, fellow firefighters, students, and the countless firefighters whose lives he touched.

12/19/2025

𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘 𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦 ❄️

Before you head out on frozen lakes or ponds this winter, make sure the ice is thick enough to hold you. With temperatures going up and down lately, ice conditions can change quickly and create hidden weak spots.

The DEC recommends at least 3–4 inches of solid, clear ice before walking on it. Ice thickness is never uniform, so check it often as you move.

𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 & 𝗦𝗨𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗨𝗦𝗘
👉 𝟮 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 – 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬 𝗢𝗙𝗙
👉 𝟰 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 – 𝗜𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁
👉 𝟱 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 – 𝗦𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗺𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗧𝗩𝘀
👉 𝟴–𝟭𝟮 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 – 𝗖𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘂𝗽
👉 𝟭𝟮–𝟭𝟱 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 – 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘯𝘦𝘸, 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘯𝘰𝘯-𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴.
• Slush ice is about 50% weaker.
• Clear ice over running water is about 20% weaker.
• For white or “snow” ice, double these thicknesses.

Many ice anglers prefer at least 5 inches of ice for fishing and 15 inches or more before driving a pickup.

Be extra cautious near shorelines, over moving water, where streams enter or exit a lake, and anywhere dock “bubblers” are used, as they can create thin, unsafe ice far from the equipment. Stay alert and stay safe out there! 🧊🚫