The City Of Watertown Benevolent Association has changed gym memberships to the Watertown Family YMCA. 

To sign up contact Linda at the YMCA @ 782-3100 

It's that time of year again. When everybody is having cookouts and grilling outdoors. Watertown Firefighters reminds everyone to be safe this grilling season. For some helpful tips on grilling safety check out the links below. Now with more Shatner!

http://www.multivu.com/mnr/49913-state-farm-thanksgiving-cooking-turkey-fryer-fires

http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/offerings/perspectives/consumer/productsafety/turkeys/

http://www.dhses.ny.gov/ofpc/news/2008-05/grillsafety.cfm

http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/Public%20Education/Grilling_Safety_tips.pdf

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/cooking.shtm

Since the early 1900's the Watertown Fire Department has maintained a Fire Prevention program. For over 100 years Watertown Firefighters have inspected every building in the city, every year. This gives us an opportunity to meet face to face with members of the community and promote fire safety to the public. As firefighters the single most important non-emergency activity we do is conduct building inspections. The reason to conduct fire inspections is to promote fire safety education and not code compliance enforcement. Inspections give firefighters valuable information regarding the layout of buildings, location of hazards and aid in pre-fire planning. In the times of fiscal restraints, the fire service must strive to be effective, cost efficient and productive. As proactive firefighters who have a genuine concern for the community in which we protect the concept of fire prevention is our primary importance. Due to limited resources, response times, construction methods and human capabilities, a fire department that is strictly suppression oriented is truly flirting with imminent danger. Recently, a change was made by city officials removing the fire department from the inspection process. This poses an unecessary risk to the citizens of Watertown and to the members of the Watertown Fire Department. The Watertown Firefighters Benevolent Association is asking members of our community to contact The Mayor and City Council and ask them to reconsider this change.  

Watertown Firefighters is sad to announce the passing of long time supporter and friend Homer Perkins. Truck 1 (pictured above) is named in his honor. Mr. Perkins passed away on May 9th at his home under the care of hospice. You will be missed Homer. To read more click here or visit our facebook page.

Ray Barden retired last week after 38 years on the job. He retired as a member of the #1 Badge Club. Congratulations Ray.

(Photo Watertown Daily Times)

Just a reminder from the Watertown Firefighters to change your smoke detector and CO detector batteries this spring.

Check us out on FACEBOOK!

Watertown Firefighters Benovelent Assoc. would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please remember to practice fire safety this holiday season. For more information and some helpful tips click HERE

Watertown Firefighters donned pink uniform shirts in honor of breast cancer awareness. Each platoon wore pink for one shift. Monies raised were donated to a breast cancer patient.

3 members of the Watertown Fire Department have retired or announced their retirements in the last few months. Clarence Celmons, John Fitzgerald and Bill Best will all have retired by the end of October 2011. The trio are some of the departments most senior members with a combined service time of 84 years. Their expierence and knowledge will be missed by all. The WFD Benevolent Assoc. wishes all 3 a happy retirement.

To read more click on the name:

Clarence Clemons

John Fitzgerald

Bill Best

The City of Watertown Firefighters Benevolent Association presented a check for $3000 to the Northern New York Community Foundation on Monday as a contribution to the Garrett W. Loomis Firefighters Fund . Garrett's Fund supports and promotes the education and training of fire departments and rescue squads for the safest and most efficient procedures for responding to emergencies in agricultural settings. The money was raised during the Annual "St Pats Classic" Hockey game between City of Watertown  Firefighters and Jefferson County Volunteer Firefighters. Pictured above from left to right are: Chad Green (TWFD), Rande Richardson (NNYCF), Andy Naklick (WFD), Steve Wood (WFD).