On October 24, 2024, at 10:36 PM, multiple calls poured into the city of Albany‘s understaffed emergency communication center for a reported structure fire at 29 Stephen Street in the south end of the city of Albany. Engine five, ladder one, engine one, rescue nine, engine nine, battalion one, Mohawk Ambulance Service, truck four and the rescue squad. The callers reported that all of the humans were out of the house but there were dogs inside of the home and they were unable to get to them. The police department arrived on scene and notified the dispatcher and stated that they had heavy smoke showing from the house.

Engine five immediately arrived on scene and transmitted the signal thirty for a working structure fire. Firefighters deployed a inch and three-quarter hand line into the front door of the structure where they encountered a heavy fire condition on the first floor and heavy smoke pushing throughout the structure. Ladder one set up in the middle of the street and place the ladder to the roof of the house. One of the dogs inside of the structure was able to make its way outside. Firefighters on the first floor made an aggressive interior attack knocking down the heavy fire condition quickly. As firefighters were conducting a primary search of the building, engine nine established a water supply for the scene. Firefighters on the second floor discovered multiple dogs and began to rescue them bringing them outside.

Within seconds of the dogs being rescued outside over a dozen firefighters quickly stopped what they were doing and began to perform life-saving measures on three of the rescued dogs. Additional firefighters inside of the structure notified command that the fire was knocked down and overhaul was beginning. Additional members of Mohawk Ambulance Service began to grab oxygen bottles and pet rescue masks. Firefighters on scene provided oxygen to two of the dogs, while five firefighters provided oxygen and began to performed CPR on one of the dogs. As they were doing so firefighters switched off back-and-forth for over 20 minutes attempting to save the dog's life. The owner loaded two of the dogs in his vehicle and took off for the emergency vet clinic and unfortunately one of the dogs did not survive.

Firefighters on scene continued to work conducting extensive overhaul of the first and second floor. No firefighters were injured on scene during the incident. Firefighters remained on scene for an extended period of time while fire investigators worked to discover the cause of the fire. The Red Cross was contacted for the individuals inside of the home. Thanks to the remarkable and swift actions of the Albany firefighters and the dedicated members from Mohawk Ambulance Service, the two beloved dogs survived what could’ve been a devastating tragedy. Faced with smoke, fire, and race against time, these dedicated firefighters went above and beyond, not only knocking down the fire rapidly, but also performing life-saving measures to give these dogs a fighting chance. They’re willingness to push through exhaustion and work together in such a challenging condition speak volumes about their commitment to their community's safety. Albany residents are truly fortunate to have such selfless, skilled professionals ready to step up in a moment of crisis, and the residents of the city of Albany should all be grateful for their unwavering dedication.