Welcome to Hamlin Fire Department Inc.

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Dear Hamlin Community Members,

The Hamlin Fire Department had its very first carnival in September of 1914. Since then this event has been one of our largest yearly fund raisers and planning begins as soon as one ends. The money made during fundraising goes towards our annual operating expenses as well as the expenses of other local groups and businesses. Hamlin Morton Walker Fire District taxes do not supply the Hamlin Fire Department money. We have been tirelessly watching the news, listening to experts, and reading updates on Covid-19, hoping that we could still hold our carnival and allow an escape from the quarantine lifestyle. 

The safety of patrons is a great concern to us as we are here to help in your time of need not be the source of an illness. The cleaning of rides, buildings, and cooking of food would have been a monumental task but we were prepared to tackle it. The ride operating company has advised us that they cannot come to town and have laid off most of their staff. 

With this week’s announcement from Governor Cuomo canceling The Great New York State Fair, the Board of Directors for the Hamlin Fire Department has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Hamlin Fireman’s Carnival. Over the years the food, rides, and entertainment have changed. This year due to an unprecedented and unforeseen factor beyond our control the weekend of August 20^th, 21^st, and 22^nd will be silent. There will be no lights from rides, no melodic music, no mouth-watering fried dough. The parade route lined with smiling faces, full of your proud local volunteers and shiny fire trucks will be normal traffic. 

But just as we continue to climb on the fire trucks and respond when you need us, we will work on plans for next year to provide a great event for our outstanding towns people. 

We cannot thank you enough for all the support you have provided us in the past with the carnival and our other fundraisers. It is because of you that we can do what we do. If you can find it in your abilities to help us financially please consider making a tax deductible donation through our website by clicking on the donate button, or by mailing it to   Hamlin Fire Department   P.O. Box 12   Hamlin, New York 14464

Sincerely, Hamlin Fire Board of Directors 

To donate to the Hamlin Fire Department, please click on the "Donate" button on the left side of this page or click this link DONATE

Fire District??    Fire Department??    What is the Difference?? 

In short, the Fire District is the fire trucks, fire houses and equipment, whereas the Fire Department is the people. 

The Fire District is the taxing entity where your fire tax money is collected. This money is appropriated by five commissioners; publicly chosen by the tax payers within the boundaries of the fire district in an open election each December.  

Being responsible to the community for the tax dollars collected and providing quality training opportunities and equipment is paramount to the fire commissioners. The current Board of Fire Commissioners are Ron Breslawski, Michael Marchetti, Anthony DiNatale, Glen Unterborn and Tom Sercu.  The purchase and maintenance of the fire houses, fire trucks, hoses, SCBA’s, bunker gear, Jaws of Life, and any other equipment used to mitigate emergency situations, comes under their authority.  

The Commissioners also approve three chief officers who are elected by the fire department members as well as some lesser appointed positions like Public Information Officer. To sum it up, the Hamlin Morton Walker Fire District has shiny powerful trucks and lots of great equipment to use at emergencies, but no people.  That’s where the Fire Departments come in.  

The Fire Departments are the organizations that provide the people that put on the gear, ride the trucks and use the equipment purchased and overseen by the District to use on emergency calls. Fire Departments do not have access to public fire taxes and must rely on fundraisers and donations to fund the expenses for their organizations. This is why the fire departments have fundraisers such as the Carnival and Holiday Raffles.  

Before 2013 the Town of Hamlin had three fire districts (Hamlin Fire District, Morton Fire District, and Walker Fire District) that collected tax dollars from homeowners within their specific borders. Each of those Districts had their own Fire Departments (Hamlin Fire Department, Morton Fire Company and Walker Fire Department) that provided manpower. In 2013, the three Fire Districts consolidated to form the Hamlin Morton Walker Fire District. The three Fire Departments did not combine and are still organizationally separate with their own officers, meetings and fundraisers but operate on emergency calls as one group. 

This is a complicated subject and hopefully I have simplified it here for some clarity.  I hope this helps the community understand this topic a little better.

John Deserto, Hamlin Fire Department Public Information Officer

Hamlin Fire Department Mission Statement

     The Mission of the Hamlin Fire Department is to mitigate any and all emergencies our citizens encounter by protecting the community with Professional Volunteers.

The Vision Statement of the Hamlin Fire Department:

The Vision of the Hamlin Fire Department is to remain a self-sustaining entity that is continuously advancing in the areas of public education, fire suppression, emergency medical services and the health & safety of our members.