The Jan. 23 structure fire at Silver Maple Builders served as a stark reminder of both the risks facing the community and the critical role played by the Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department and its partners.

The commercial structure, located immediately adjacent to residential homes, was a total loss, while crews worked aggressively to keep the fire from spreading to neighboring properties. Below-zero temperatures severely hampered firefighting efforts — freezing equipment, straining water supplies and pushing responders to their limits.

The Lake Placid Department of Public Works, through its highway, water and electric divisions, provided essential support that proved critical to maintaining operations under extreme conditions.

This coordinated response, reinforced by training, mutual aid and interdepartmental cooperation, helped protect nearby homes and underscored a central theme of this annual report: preparation, teamwork and experience matter most when conditions are at their worst.

The department’s 2025 annual report shows firefighters responded to 429 calls over the past year, ranging from structure fires and EMS assists to vehicle accidents, alarms, storm responses, public assists and mutual aid. While call totals fluctuate annually, the increasing variety of incidents highlights the evolving and complex role volunteer fire departments play in meeting community needs.

¯ Structure fires: 12

¯ Chimney fires: 2

¯ Car fires: 2

¯ Wildland/brush fires: 4

¯ Dumpster fire: 1

¯ Car crashes: 50

¯ EMS assists: 6

¯ Elevator rescues: 3

¯ CO incidents/alarms: 17

¯ Fire Alarms: 198

¯ Weather/storm calls: 55

¯ Police assists: 5

¯ Mutual Aid: 23

¯ Good Intent/Service Calls: 29

¯ Smoke/odor conditions: 17

¯ Ice/winter rescue: 1

Beyond the numbers lies a deeper story — one of commitment, preparedness and skill. Each statistic represents countless hours donated by volunteers balancing careers, families and personal responsibilities. Whether responding to fires in the middle of the night, clearing roads after storms, or assisting neighboring departments, volunteers remain the backbone of local emergency services.

Earning turnout gear is no small feat. The mandatory Basic Exterior Firefighter Operations (BEFO) course requires 79 hours of training over 10 weeks, often involving long drives to training locations. Advancing to a certified Interior Firefighter demands an even greater commitment — 140 total hours of training. This preparation is essential, giving firefighters the judgment and confidence needed to assess rapidly evolving scenes and make split-second decisions under pressure.

That training has already proven its value. Earlier this year, Johnny Fagan and Ciana Cerruti relied on their training during a rescue at the Greenwood, helping save a resident. In another incident, Chad Blinn and Ciana used that same preparation to contain a fire in an apartment complex before it could spread, protecting the lives and homes of residents throughout the building.

Training does not stop after certification. Each fire company conducts ongoing in-house training, including refresher courses and instruction on emerging hazards such as electric vehicle fires, new construction materials and updated safety protocols. This continuous learning ensures firefighters remain prepared for the changing realities of emergency response — but it also requires significant personal sacrifice.

The growing training commitment has become a challenge for recruitment. For many prospective volunteers, the time required to complete certifications and maintain training standards can be demanding, contributing to declining volunteer numbers even as service demands continue to rise.

To help maintain reliable coverage, the department is supported by paid drivers who assist with staffing and apparatus operations, particularly during daytime hours. Their role helps ensure timely responses and strengthens overall operational readiness when seconds matter most.

Ultimately, the annual report reflects far more than call volume. It tells the story of neighbors protecting neighbors — people who step away from their families and daily lives to serve this community. Their dedication should never be taken for granted. Not all heroes wear capes — some wear turnout gear.

The Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department also extends its sincere thanks to the Saranac Lake, Wilmington, and Upper Jay Volunteer Fire Departments for their mutual aid response to the Silver Maple Builders fire. Their assistance under extreme conditions highlights the importance of regional cooperation and the strength of mutual aid partnerships.

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Members of the Lake Placid Village Board of Trustees are Mayor Art Devlin, Deputy Mayor Jackie Kelly, Katie Brennan, Marc Galvin and Andrew Quinn.