Welcome to the Colden Fire District

On behalf of the Colden Fire District we would like to extend our thanks to the residents of the Fire District for their unwavering support.

Fire District Facts

A New York State fire district is managed by a five person board of fire commissioners. The commissioners are authorized to fund the district through taxation, to adopt rules and regulations governing the fire company within its district. The fire district is also required to have a treasurer/secretary.

The commissioners serve staggered five year terms with one commissioner elected in December by the voting residents of the district.  Before entering upon the duties of their office the commissioners must take and file an oath of office.  A chairman is elected in January to help guide the district through the year.

Each newly elected or re-elected commissioner must attend and successfully complete a State approved training course within two hundred seventy days of taking office. The course must include training relating to the fire commissioners’ legal, fiduciary, financial, procurement and ethical responsibilities, and such other disciplines as may be prescribed by the State Comptroller.

Duties of the Commissioners

The District owns and maintains the buildings and equipment that are used by the fire company. The Commissioners have exclusive management and control of the property of the District and may purchase or lease real estate and equipment and may sell or otherwise dispose of such property of the District. In certain cases, due to statutory dollar limitations, a public referendum may be required to either purchase or dispose of District property.

The district purchases insurance to protect the fire company members and equipment and provides a length of service awards program and other benefits to the members.

The Commissioners can adopt rules and regulations governing the fire company, prescribe the duties of the members, and enforce discipline. They also approve new members as well as the elected and appointed officers of the fire company and can remove such members for cause.

The Commissioners audit all claims for payment against the District and must approve the claims before they can be processed by the district's treasurer. They also develop the annual budget, the tax levy for which is collected as a component of the town property tax bill.

Board of Fire Commissioners

 Year 2013

Charles Kramer	District Chairman
Ronald L Smith	District Commissioner
Jeffrey Shelly	District Commissioner
Susanne Pietraszek	District Commissioner
Michael Butler	District Commissioner
Michael Schneider	District Treasurer

Colden Fire District is a team of professionals working proactively to meet present needs and future challenges with pride, integrity and enthusiasm.

We serve the health, welfare and safety needs of our community by providing fire and injury prevention, fire suppression, rescue, community education and emergency medical aid.

We pledge to be strong financial managers and responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us by the community.

The mission of the District is to provide its residents with the best possible fire prevention, fire protection, and emergency medical service in Erie County, at the lowest possible cost to the taxpayers.

We challenge our assumptions by continually evaluating all fire district operations.  Our evaluations ensure that we have the right people, the right tools, and the right service level, in order to embrace the emergency service and safety challenges of our community, today and in the future.  Our overall goal is to:
           

• Provide a safe work environment for all District personnel
          
• Provide a rapid response to all emergencies for the protection of life and property
           
• Improve the Fire District’s insurance rating
           
• Recruit and retain District personnel
           
• Maintain an atmosphere of professionalism and pride.