Fire

The Town of Bethlehem is protected by five volunteer fire districts and three volunteer ambulance squads with two paramedic units (personnel of approximately 470). Each fire department has specialized equipment and its members are trained to handle unusual emergencies.

 

The Elsmere Fire Department has a 100 foot aerial platform truck plus various ground ladders and three pumpers.

 

Delmar Fire Department is equipped with 2 pumpers, a 75 foot aerial ladder truck, two ambulances and a utility truck. Slingerlands Fire Department has 3 pumpers and a heavy rescue vehicle.

 

The Selkirk Fire Department has 5 pumpers, some with capability of foam operations, a 75 foot aerial ladder truck, two brush trucks, a heavy rescue truck and a fire police van.

 

North Bethlehem Fire Department (also known as Elmwood Park Fire District), has 4 pumpers and a light rescue. The "Jaws of Life" and air bags are carried on both heavy rescue trucks in the town along with various other equipment to help rescue trapped individuals.

 

To learn more about becoming a volunteer, call 475-2929.

 

 

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Ambulance
Our community is served by two medical units on 24-hour call. Medic unit 2, located in Delmar, and Medic unit 3, located in Selkirk, are manned by full-time paramedics. In addition, there are three volunteer ambulance services each covering a portion of the town. The Western Turnpike Ambulance Squad responds to emergencies in North Bethlehem; the Bethlehem Volunteer Ambulance Service, Inc. responds in the Selkirk, Glenmont, South Bethlehem area; and the Delmar Rescue Squad serves Delmar, Elsmere and Slingerlands.

Within our town, there are many working arrangements for fire and ambulance personnel to respond to an emergency outside of their designated district. When all ambulances are on emergency calls, General Electric's ambulance will respond to the next emergency medical call within our town. These mutual aid arrangements mean that you are never without the appropriate equipment to handle any medical emergency that may arise.

Bethlehem's Emergency Management Office provides direction and coordination for all town service in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. Special drills and training are held periodically to insure that responding personnel and equipment will be used effectively in any emergency.

 

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Medical Services
Four hospitals are just a few miles from the center of town. They are Albany Medical Center Hospital, Albany Memorial Hospital, St. Peter's Hospital, and the Veteran's Administration Hospital. There are also several large, privately run, medical buildings located in the middle of town, hosting a range of medical specialists.

 

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Police
The Town of Bethlehem Police Department is a modern law enforcement agency that offers excellent police services to the entire town. The department consists of several divisions, each under the direction of a division commander holding the rank of Lieutenant.

The Patrol Division consists of the uniformed force which provides 24 hour service handling complaints, accident investigations, traffic enforcement, preliminary investigations, and other calls for police services. This division is certainly the most visible and the one that people have the most contact with.

The Headquarters Division consists of civilian personnel who receive Emergency 911 calls, handle communications with the public, and dispatch police, fire and emergency medical services. Telecommunicators use modern two-way radio equipment, both mobile and portable, to communicate with the various town departments, and  sophisticated computer and satellite systems to enable the department to have immediate information available from international, federal, state and other local agencies. Headquarters Division is also responsible for the K-9 unit and for all records required to be kept by the department.

Special Services Division consists of the Detective Office, the Youth Bureau and the Crime Prevention Unit, and is also responsible for all the department training. Detectives use the most modern equipment and techniques in their investigations and are specially trained in such areas as arson investigation, fingerprinting and photography. The Youth Bureau is responsible for all investigations involving juveniles, and is very active in programs for youths. The "DARE" and school resource officer programs are excellent examples of how a cooperative effort can be successful when schools and government work together.

Special programs are offered to the public, addressing such issues as crime prevention, including security surveys for private residences and businesses; Operation ID where personal property is marked so that it might be identified if stolen, and numerous programs for kids. The goal of the Bethlehem Police Department is to render efficient, effective police service to the people of the Town of Bethlehem.

 

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Youth Court
Youth Court is a voluntary alternative to the criminal justice system for young people who have committed a crime. Typical cases heard include shoplifting, criminal mischief, larceny and vandalism. The goal of Youth Court is to intervene in early anti-social, delinquent and criminal behavior, and to reduce the incidence and prevent the escalation of such behavior.

A youth, who has admitted guilt to a crime appears for a sentencing hearing before a jury of his/her peers. The jury is presented with evidence relevant to sentencing, deliberates, and passes sentence. Sentences typically include community service, restitution (monetary or in kind) and counseling sessions. Youth court also offers a law-related education program for young people who seek to become members of the court.

 

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