Utica Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 32

05/13/2026

For years, we have has raised concerns about the condition of Station 4 on Shepherd Place. Unfortunately, those concerns have now led to the relocation of Truck 1 and its personnel to Station 7 on Park Avenue due to structural issues within the building.

This relocation will inevitably increase response times to the South Utica neighborhoods that Truck 1 proudly protects.

This situation did not happen overnight. The condition of Station 4 has been known for years, and we have repeatedly stressed the need for meaningful investment into the facility — whether through major repairs or, preferably, the construction of a new station that can safely and properly serve the residents of South Utica for generations to come.

Fire stations are not luxuries. They are critical public safety infrastructure. As call volumes continue to rise across our city, now is the time for a real conversation about the future of Station 4 and the level of fire protection our community deserves.

Our members remain committed to providing the best service possible to the residents of Utica, no matter where we are housed. But the people of South Utica deserve honest discussions, long-term planning, and real solutions — not temporary fixes.

Structural Concerns Force Temporary Closure of Utica Fire Station 4

POSTED: May 13, 2026

UTICA — Utica Fire Station 4 has been temporarily closed while city officials evaluate structural concerns involving the apparatus bay floor.

The station is located at the corner of Shepherd Place and Sunset Avenue.

Officials say the temporary closure was made out of an abundance of caution to protect fire department personnel, equipment, and the public while structural assessments are conducted.

The Utica Fire Department has relocated apparatus and personnel assigned to Station 4 to the Park Avenue Fire Station to help maintain emergency response coverage for the district and surrounding areas.

At this time, officials say they anticipate minimal impact to emergency services or response capabilities.

The department will continue monitoring operational coverage closely throughout the evaluation process.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

04/11/2026

Our hearts are with Ilion Firefighters Association, Local 1185

A recent graduate of the Utica Fire Academy, Ashley was close with some of our members and marched with us during our Saint Patrick’s Day parade last month.

Please keep Ashley’s family, friends, and the members of Local 1185 in your thoughts and prayers.

03/06/2026

Utica Fire Fighters Local President Mark Nicoletta Jr. acknowledged the council member's apology and asked that the focus shift to proper funding for fire department needs.

03/05/2026

https://soundcloud.com/wutq-talk-of-the-town/utica-fire-union-president President Mark Nicoletta Jr. of Utica Professional Firefighters Association Local 32 ...

03/02/2026

Honored to help out the City of Utica Youth Bureau

The big shoutout is to our Golf Tournament Committee. Without all the hard work they put in throughout the year, donations like this wouldn’t be possible.

🚒🧯❤️
We’re incredibly thankful to Utica Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 32 for their generous donation! With your support we’re able to continue creating positive opportunities for the kids in our community!!

02/28/2026

Today we celebrate 108 years of the International Association of Fire Fighters — 108 years of standing shoulder to shoulder for safer jobs, fair wages, strong benefits, and dignity for the men and women who protect their communities every single day.

Founded in 1918, the IAFF has been the backbone of the modern fire service labor movement. Through world wars, economic downturns, staffing battles, and evolving public safety challenges, our union has never wavered in its mission: protect those who protect everyone else.

Here in Utica, we’re proud to say that IAFF Local 32 is one of the charter locals. That means from the very beginning — from day one — Utica firefighters believed in the power of unity. Our brothers who came before us understood that when we stand together, we are stronger at the bargaining table, stronger on the fireground, and stronger in our communities.

For 108 years, the IAFF has fought for better equipment, cancer protections, retirement security, health care, and safe staffing standards. None of it was handed to us. It was earned — through solidarity, sacrifice, and the willingness to stand up for each other.

To the generations before us who built this union… thank you.
To the members serving today… stay united and stay proud.
And to those who will come after us… we’ll leave this job better than we found it.

02/27/2026

Last night at a Common Council budget meeting, a council member made an off-color comment while the Fire Chief was advocating for making a push to get away from turnout gear that contains PFAS.

While learning that non-PFAS turnout gear has a lower durability than the dangerous PFAS turnout gear, councilperson Jack Lomedico’s response was “well that’s what we pay you hazardous duty for” and proceeded to laugh.

As we have members of this Local actively fighting cancer, and members in remission, this comment is detestable.

PFAS are known as “forever chemicals.” They’re used to make turnout gear heat, water, and stain resistant, but they don’t break down. Instead, they build up in the human body over time.

For firefighters, that means repeated exposure.

Studies have linked PFAS exposure to:
• Increased cancer risk (including kidney, liver, and testicular cancers)
• Liver and kidney damage
• High cholesterol
• Immune system suppression
• Reproductive and fertility issues

We wear our gear to protect us from fire, heat, and toxic smoke. It should not expose us to long-term health risks in the process.

Firefighter cancer rates are already higher than the general population. We owe it to our members — and to future generations of firefighters — to demand safer alternatives and push for PFAS-free turnout gear.

This isn’t politics.
This is firefighter health and safety.

02/22/2026

Minimum manning isn’t just a number on paper — it’s the reality of what shows up when someone calls 911.

Since 2011, our call volume has increased by over 33%. That means more medical emergencies, more structure fires, more alarms, more rescues — more everything. At the same time, the number of firefighters on duty per shift has gone down.

When we talk about “minimum manning,” we’re talking about the lowest number of firefighters allowed to be on duty — not ideal staffing, not growth staffing, not planning for the future. The bare minimum.

On any given shift, that minimum has to cover:
• Residential fires
• High-rise buildings
• Simultaneous EMS calls
• Mutual aid responses
• Major incidents that can escalate quickly

National standards outline how many firefighters are needed on scene for just one structure fire. That doesn’t account for two calls at once. Or three. It doesn’t account for a city that continues to evolve and demand more emergency response.

We will continue to show up. We always have.

But sustainable public safety requires planning ahead of demand — not operating at the lowest allowable number and hoping it’s enough.

This isn’t about fear. It’s about math. It’s about workload. And it’s about making sure the level of service our community deserves can be maintained not just today, but five and ten years from now.

Minimum manning is the floor. It should never become the standard we settle for.

01/25/2026

In 2011, the Utica Fire Department responded to 13,299 calls for service.

In 2025, the Utica Fire Department responded to 17,762 calls for service.

That is a 33.6% increase in call volume in just 14 years. Also to be noted, the daily minimum staffing in 2011 was 25 firefighters per day. Today, the daily minimum staffing sits at just 23 firefighters per day.

Our firefighters are doing significantly more with less. The emergencies, non-emergencies, trainings, codes inspections, meetings, station upkeep, and much more are still getting taken care of for one reason and one reason only — we have the hardest working and most dedicated firefighters there are.

However, this rapid growth in call volume can only be sustained with less people for so long. Our firefighters are tired, injured, and pleading for more help.

Please share this post to help the community understand how your firefighters are being spread thin. Your support matters.

11/22/2025

Yesterday the members of Local 32 Executive Board accepted an appreciation plaque from the Tunnel to Towers organization. Local 32 has proudly supported this very noble charity in their work to help others for the last 5 years with the local 5k through Utica.

Pictured below Left to Right
Vice President Jerry Alsante, President Mark Nicoletta, Treasurer Brian Roux and Secretary Russ Tinker.