09/15/2025
From our Newark Valley Fire Family:
To the Residents of Richford, NY,
We are writing to you today not just as fellow first responders, but as neighbors who deeply value the strength and reliability of your local fire department. We are the members of the Newark Valley Fire Department, and we want to express our strong support for the proposed new fire station in Richford.
When emergencies strike—when lives hang in the balance and seconds count—we count on the Richford Fire Department to stand shoulder to shoulder with us. They are a key part of our mutual aid system, and they are often the ones we turn to in our most difficult and high-stress calls. Simply put: we rely on Richford Fire just as much as Richford relies on us.
That’s why we are urging you to vote YES for a new fire station.
The current Richford fire station is in a state of serious disrepair. It's not just outdated—it’s unsafe, and rapidly becoming unusable.
This isn't about upgrades or luxuries—it's about necessity. How can the people we rely on to keep us safe be forced to work out of a building that puts their very own safety at risk? The brave men and women of Richford Fire continue to show up, time and time again, with professionalism and courage. But they deserve a station that supports their mission, not one that threatens their well-being.
But a fire station is more than just a home base for emergency response. It is part of the heart of a community. It’s where neighbors come together—whether it's for a fundraiser, a pancake breakfast, a chicken barbecue, a blood drive, or to support a family in crisis. It's a gathering place in both good times and bad, where service and community spirit meet. Richford deserves a station that reflects the pride and unity of its people.
There is no inexpensive or easy alternative. Rebuilding is the responsible and forward-thinking choice. Every day that goes by without a solution increases risk for your community—and for the communities around you who depend on Richford’s help, like ours.
We urge the citizens of Richford to invest in your fire department—not just for today, but for future generations. Support the people who support you.
Voting “YES” for the new fire station is a vote for protecting our firefighters, safeguarding your town’s future, and upholding the values that make Richford strong. It has always been a community that has taken pride in its resilience, its care for neighbors, and its commitment to safety. We understand concerns about funding and taxes, but the cost of inaction will be far greater—in dollars, in risk, and potentially in lives.
We urge you to stand with our firefighters and your fellow neighbors. On behalf of those who put themselves on the line for us every day, please vote YES to build a new fire station for Richford.
Sincerely,
The Members of Newark Valley Fire Department
