Letter from Mayor Brian Marsh Regarding the Menands Firehouse

I am so incredibly proud of our Village of Menands team. That is first and foremost.

The recent event at our firehouse has been incredibly difficult and emotional for our community and beyond. The Menands Firehouse has long stood as more than just a building — it is a place of service, sacrifice, training, teamwork, friendships, and community pride. For 102 years, 250 Broadway has been the home base for dedicated volunteers and firefighters who answer the call at all hours of the day and night to protect our residents, businesses, and abutting neighbors. Seeing such damage to such an important part of our village is heartbreaking for all of us.

First and foremost, I am deeply grateful that no one was seriously injured. I want to personally thank the firefighters and emergency personnel who responded quickly and professionally under extremely challenging circumstances. I also want to recognize the mutual aid departments and agencies from surrounding communities that immediately stepped in to assist. Their response demonstrated the strong partnerships and sense of brotherhood that exist throughout the fire service.

The members of the Menands Fire Department showed tremendous professionalism and resilience throughout this incident. Even while their facility was damaged, their focus remained on protecting the community and supporting one another. That level of dedication speaks volumes about the character of the men and women who serve our village.

Since the fire, village officials have been working closely with fire department leadership, investigators, insurance representatives, engineers, and emergency management personnel from the State, Town, and County to fully assess the damage and determine both the immediate and long-term path forward. While there is still much work ahead, I want residents to know that emergency services in the Village of Menands remain completely operational and that public safety remains our highest priority.

There will undoubtedly be challenges in the days and weeks ahead. Recovering from an incident like this is not simple, and many unknowns still need to be addressed. However, if there is one thing I know about Menands, it is that our community is resilient.

I have already witnessed an amazing outpouring of support from residents, neighboring fire departments, local organizations, and members of the broader community. Whether through offers of assistance, words of encouragement, or simply checking in on our firefighters and staff members, those gestures mean more than words can express. They are a reminder that Menands is a close-knit community that stands together in times of adversity.

As Mayor, I remain fully committed to supporting our fire department and ensuring that the resources necessary for recovery are pursued responsibly and aggressively. We will continue to keep residents informed as more information becomes available and as plans develop for the future of 250 Broadway.

Most importantly, I want our firefighters and emergency responders to know that this community stands behind them. Their service, commitment, and sacrifice do not go unnoticed. While buildings can be repaired, restored, or replaced, the true strength of the Menands Fire Department has always been its people — and that strength
remains as strong as ever.

Brian Marsh
Mayor, Village of Menands

View as PDF