Syracuse firefighters tackle over 250 alarms during busy Fourth of July weekend

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse Fire responded to more than 250 alarms in 72 hours during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

From Thursday, July 4 to Saturday, July 6, Syracuse firefighters responded to 252 alarms, 21 of which were related to fires. Many of the confirmed fires involved trash or rubbish outside but included one structure fire.

Crews responded to more than 140 emergency medical alarms, including nearly 20 motor vehicle collisions. On July 4 and 5, fire crews responded to several calls back-to-back.

On Friday, the department’s Hazardous Materials Response Team was also called to the City of Oneida to assist the Oneida City Fire Department with a dangerous chlorine gas leak at the municipal wastewater treatment facility.

Dangerous chlorine leak five-times the safe limit detected at Oneida water treatment plant

To help manage the increased call volume, and to be prepared for the possibility of multiple incidents occurring at the same time, the department staffed an additional Engine Company for the overnight shift on July 4.