In the face of disaster, Americans come together with courage, compassion and unity and ask, How can I help?

There are many ways to get involved especially before a disaster occurs.  The whole community can participate in programs and activities to make their families, homes and communities safer from risks and threats.  Community leaders agree the formula for ensuring a safer homeland consists of volunteers, a trained and informed public and increased support of emergency response agencies during disasters. Major disasters can overwhelm first responder agencies, empowering individuals to lend support.

Get involved before disaster strikes! Here are a few ways you can help through volunteering with a Greater Cornwall Community Emergency Service Organization:

• Cornwall Fire Department (no website)

  Cornwall Fire Department is 100% Volunteer, Serving the Town of Cornwall and hamlet of Mountainville since 1830 is comprised of Highland Engine Company No. 1 and Mountainville Engine Company No. 3. For information or to apply, call 845-534-2699.

• Cornwall-on-Hudson Fire Department

  Cornwall-on-Hudson Fire Department is 100% Volunteer, Serving the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson since 1868 is comprised of Storm King Fire Engine Company No. 2, "The Home of The REDshirts".

• Vails Gate Fire Department

  Vails Gate Fire District is 100% Volunteer, Serving the hamlet of Vails Gate, Firthcliffe Heights (Town of Cornwall), and the Town of New Windsor since 1910 is comprised of Vails Gate Fire Company.

• Salisbury Mills Fire Department

  Salisbury Mills Fire District is 100% Volunteer, Serving the Town of Blooming Grove, hamlet of Mountain Lodge Park, Beaver Dam Lake, Mountainville (Town of Cornwall), and Town of New Windsor since 1995 is comprised of Salisbury Mills Fire Company and Mountain Lodge Park Fire Company.

• Cornwall Emergency Medical Services

  Cornwall EMS is fully staffed 24/7 with two Emergency Medical Technicians serving the residents of the Town of Cornwall, hamlet of Mountainville, Cornwall-on-Hudson, and Beaver Dam Lake.  New Windsor Volunteer Ambulance Corps operates Cornwall EMS, also providing Paramedic Advanced Life Support care.  Volunteer and Career Opportunities are Available.

• Orange County New York : ARES - RACES - SKYWARN :: Eastern New York Section

  Using amateur radio stations for civil defense communications, during periods of local, regional, or national civil emergencies. Utilizing its resources to provide communicators in support of the county, generally during severe weather, flooding, natural disasters, mass casualties, or at other times.

• Orange County Amateur Radio Club

  The Orange County Amateur Radio Club, Inc. is a non-profit educational and service organization chartered under the laws of New York State. OCARC is affiliated with the American Radio Relay League, a national association of Amateur Radio clubs.

  Our Members’ interests range from message handling to contesting, experimentation to public service… and even just plain chatting on the air! We share the love of Amateur Radio and fellowship.

  OCARC was established to be an all-volunteer membership club focused primarily on educational and public service aspects of the Amateur Radio Service. Through lectures, formal Amateur Radio classes, and American Radio Relay League-coordinated FCC exam sessions, ham radio is taught to both hams wishing to advance to higher levels of FCC license class and non-hams wishing to obtain an entry level license.

• Orange County Medical Reserve Corps

  In June 2005, the Orange County Legislature approved the formation of a Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) under the Department of Health. In the event of a large-scale public health emergency, the MRC will supplement Orange County Public Health personnel resources with volunteer medical and mental health professionals from the community. In August 2009, the Orange County MRC became a registered unit in the Federal MRC program under the Office of the Surgeon General.