The town of Beekman is primarily a rural farming-bedroom community of approximately 13,000 residents.

Formed in 1937, the primary goal of the 87 member Beekman Fire Department is to provide fire protection and EMS services to the residents of this 37 square mile town.

The department is structured as follows; four (4) squads consisting of; the Beekman Engine Company, the Beekman Rescue Squad, the Beekman Fire Police and the Beekman Fire Department Junior Corps. Each squad has it own line and business officers and falls under the umbrella of the Beekman Fire Company, Inc.

The department also has an auxiliary whose primary goal is to provide relief and assistance for fire fighters at the scene of fires, drills and other functions. They additionally assist with the raising of funds for the fire department.

The district officers (Chief Engineer, First Assistant Chief, Second Assistant Chief) are appointed by the five (5) member Board of Fire Commissioners who in turn are elected by the registered voters of the town.

The Fire Company’s business end is presided over by the Fire Company President, which is an elected position.

The fire district operates out of one (1) station which is located in the hamlet of Poughquag, New York. Based at this station, which was built in 1974, is 3 full-line pumpers, 2 tankers, 1 rescue truck, 1 BLS Certified Ambulance and 1 brush truck. The department is also the proud owner of a 1937 Chevrolet pumper (the departments original pumper) which has been relegated to parades-only duty.

All dispatching is coordinated through the Dutchess County Office of Emergency Response. The members are notified of alarms via pager and audible siren.

The fire department will continue to maintain it’s tradition of providing volunteer fire protection and EMS services to the residents of Beekman, N.Y.