Rifton Fire Department

09/05/2026

September is firefighter appreciation month. This month, we recognize the men and women who answer the call—not because they have to, but because they choose to serve.

To every firefighter who gives their time, energy, courage, and heart—thank you.

We appreciate you!!!!

09/01/2026

This September marks 25 years since the attacks of September 11, 2001—a day that forever changed our nation.
First responders, families, friends, and all members of our community are invited to come together as we remember the 2,977 lives lost, honor the first responders who answered the call, and recognize all those whose lives were forever changed by the events of 9/11.

Ulster Fire Department
Friday September 11, 2026
6:30 PM

Port Ewen Fire Department
Saturday September 12, 2026
6:00 PM

Please join us as we stand together in remembrance, reflection, and unity.
25 years later, their sacrifice is not forgotten. Their courage is not forgotten. Their names are not forgotten.

09/01/2026

🔥 RIFTON FIRE DEPARTMENT’S 2ND ANNUAL COMMUNITY DAY IS COMING SOON! 🔥

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 12 PM–6 PM! Join us for an afternoon packed with family fun, live entertainment, first responder action, great food, community vendors, and more!

See our firefighters and EMT’s in action during a simulated serious motor vehicle accident involving a trauma patient trapped inside a vehicle. Watch as crews stabilize the vehicle, use specialized rescue equipment to extricate the patient, and work together to provide emergency care. It’s a great opportunity to see firsthand the training, teamwork, and skills that go into responding to these emergencies.

ATTRACTIONS ALSO INCLUDE:
• Live music by The New Street Band
• Live first responder demonstrations
• Ulster County Youth Bureau team providing fun activities for ALL ages
• Community vendors
• Touch-a-Truck
• Raffles & 50/50

NEW Rifton Fire Department T-shirts available for sale!

COMMUNITY VENDORS & SUPPORTERS:
• Zoom Flume Water Park
• Not My Wife’s Cooking
• Royalty Enterprises Catering featuring Chef Christopher Warren
• The Gilded Needle Tattoo Parlor
• Ulster County Sheriff’s Office
• Ulster Savings Bank
• Miron W**e & Spirits
• Stewart’s Shops
• Joppenbergh Gap Distilling – Tillson, NY
Ulster county sheriffs wellness unit
Point God Academy graciously donated a bike that one lucky family can win in the raffle.

Come on out.
Bring the whole family, meet your local firefighters and first responders, check out our NEW Rifton shirts, support local businesses, and spend the day celebrating the community we are proud to serve!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2026
12 PM – 6 PM
43 Maple St Rifton, NY 12471
Hope to see you there.

08/31/2026

The Rifton Fire Department would like to congratulate the Plattekill Fire Department on an incredible 100 years of dedicated service to their community.
Thank you for placing your trust in our members to cover your district while you took the time to celebrate this remarkable milestone. It was our honor!
Moments like these remind us that while the names on our trucks and the numbers on our helmets may be different, our mission remains the same.
Unity in Service.

08/30/2026

Rifton will be there with 49-10 and our awesome Photo Booth. Wear real firefighter gear and meet some of our members. Hope to see you there

🚨🎒 JUST A COUPLE DAYS AWAY! 🎒🚨

The Ulster County Deputy Sheriff’s Police Benevolent Association’s 5th Annual Back to School Drive is happening THIS SUNDAY, August 30th, from 12 PM–3 PM at Barmann Park in Kingston! 📚✏️🖍️

We’re getting ready for an afternoon packed with FREE family fun and an opportunity to help local kids start the school year off right! 💙

🎒 Free school supplies for children who need them
🏀 Basketball tournament with Point God Academy
💈 Free haircuts for youth
🍦 Free ice cream from Mr. Ding-A-Ling
🎨 Face painting & glitter tattoos
🍽️ Food catered by Lo Lo’s Soul Food
🎬 PLUS — stick around for the City of Kingston Parks & Recreation Family Movie Night!

👧🧒 Children must be present to receive school supplies.

📍 Barmann Park
3 South Clinton Avenue, Kingston
🕛 12 PM–3 PM

Bring the kids, enjoy the afternoon, grab some school supplies, and help us kick off the new school year with a great community event! 🚓❤️📚

And the fun doesn’t have to end at 3 PM! Check out the details for Family Movie Night at Barmann Park here:

👉 https://www.facebook.com/kingstonparksrec/posts/-family-movie-night-is-coming-to-barmann-park-join-us-this-sunday-august-30th-fo/1511077691059023/

PLEASE SHARE so we can reach as many local families as possible! 🙌🎒

08/22/2026

The members of the Rifton Fire Department extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, fellow first responders, and everyone impacted by the heartbreaking loss of Mindy and Jimmy Brugger.
This was not the news anyone wants to hear. Our hearts are heavy. They were two incredibly dedicated people who devoted their lives to serving and protecting others.
Their commitment and courage, will never be forgotten. A loss like this is felt throughout the entire community and beyond. Sending our thoughts, prayers, strength, and support during this incredibly difficult time.

08/19/2026

This year, our Second Annual Community Day will be dedicated to remembering and honoring the lives lost, the heroes who answered the call, and the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001.

As part of this special day, we will have Rifton Fire Department 9/11 Memorial T-Shirts available for purchase.

T-Shirts – $20 each

Join us on Saturday, September 19th from 12–6 as our community comes together for a day of remembrance, appreciation, and unity.

We Will Never Forget.

08/18/2026

RIFTON FIRE DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY DAY IS ALMOST HERE!

We’re officially getting closer to our 2nd Annual Community Day, and we can’t wait to spend the day with our community!

Saturday, September 19, 2026
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Maple St. in Rifton

Bring the whole family out for an afternoon packed with fun!

Live Music
First Responder Demonstrations
Ulster County Sheriffs Office
Touch-a-Truck
Activities for ALL ages
Community Vendors
Food Vendors
Raffles & 50/50
Meet your local first responders

FREE COMMUNITY EVENT — ALL ARE WELCOME!

Mark your calendars, invite your friends and family, and come spend the day with us. We’ve been working hard to make this year’s Community Day even bigger and better!

🔥 September 19th will be here before we know it! 🔥

07/28/2026

Congratulations to all of the students who successfully completed the intense Summer Firefighter I Program! Your dedication, determination, and countless hours of hard work have prepared you to begin a lifetime of service to your communities.

A special congratulations goes out to Rifton Fire Department’s own Erin Kelly on this outstanding accomplishment. We are incredibly proud of your commitment, perseverance, and the passion you’ve shown throughout the program.

To Erin and every graduate—thank you for answering the call to serve. Your future departments and communities are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of firefighters joining their ranks.

07/23/2026

Congratulations to Rifton's own Erin Kelly on her successful completion of the Firefighter I intensive Summer program!

Her dedication, determination, and countless hours of hard work have paid off.

The members of the Rifton Fire Department are proud of everything she has achieved and look forward to seeing all that she will accomplish in the fire service.

Congratulations, Erin! We know this is only the beginning...