After several weeks of uncertainty and isolation, our area of the Mid-Hudson Valley has officially met the criteria to “Reopen” from the NYS Governor Cuomo’s PAUSE NY under Phase 1. The state has published a guide to reopening that can be downloaded here: NYForwardReopeningGuide. This guide should be read and understood by all to see how and why social interactions will be made in the near future and what precautions must be in place. All public and private businesses need to pay attention to safeguards that must be planned for and taken as these phases of opening progress. District residents should be advised that the fire truck “Drive-Bys” that we have been providing for birthdays and graduations have been discontinued now that Phase 1 Reopening has begun.

The Cronomer Valley Fire District will continue to provide 24/7 response to emergencies as we have throughout the pandemic. Our regular scheduled public Fire District Meeting will take place in the Fire Station located at 296 N Plank Rd., Newburgh, NY beginning June 9th, 2020. Anyone in attendance will be required to wear a mask and stay 6′ apart. The Fire District training room will hold the Board of Commissioners meeting together with their staff and up to 10 other people in place-settings for the general public. Attendees must be screened prior to entry and will be documented to provide virus tracing should it be needed in the future. The meeting will also be held on Zoom for those who wish to monitor the meeting or are unable to attend in person due to limited capacity. Passwords provided upon request 1/2 hour prior to start of the meeting.

Our non-emergency attendance at our station will start back up on June 1st. Membership will be allowed to attend scheduled non-emergency functions with limiting groups of people in common areas and practicing social distancing and face masks along with washing hands, disinfecting touch areas, and regular commercial disinfecting of premises and equipment. These scheduled non-emergency functions include training drills, maintenance, monthly meetings, and work details. Upon entry to these non-emergency functions, attendees will be screened at the Main Side Door entrance for recent travel to hot-spots, exposure to any COVID positive patients, body temperature and wellness check. Our membership meetings and most training sessions will be held outdoors with social distancing and PPE. People who fall in the at-risk group of COVID-19 exposure are asked to distance themselves from these functions until later Phases of Reopening have proved to be safer for socializing.

We want to thank the general public for your understanding and support. We are unable to promote large gatherings, fundraisers, and social activities during isolation. We also realize the financial impact it has had on many of our residents. Our Board will be looking at how we can reduce the burden in our fire district budget. We will continue to recruit firefighters to continue our legacy of service to the community and promote a professional and well trained volunteer workforce. If any fire district resident is interested in active duty service, please contact us on our Join Us Page.