Visit with Santa on Saturday, December 7, 2025 from 6-8 pm!
District's First Chief, George Fesko, Describes the origins of the Borodino Fire Department
In February of 1947 Reginald Nodine's hardware store in Borodino caught fire. Residents conducted a bucket brigade to fight the flames while waiting for the Skaneateles Fire Department to respond. Together, they were able to save the local store. Soon after, several community elders thought it would be wise to form a fire department for the Town of Spafford. A small group of residents met with other local fire departments and held several town meetings discussing options. These meetings, held at the Borodino Grange and Spafford School House, had overwhelming turnouts in support of the venture. Phil Pendergas donated land in Borodino for its department and Bill McKeen donated the old gas station in Spafford for the southern station. These men visited the Aurelious Fire Department for building ideas and two fire stations were designed and built for $1,500 each. The Town of Spafford Fire Board of Commissioners was established in 1948 with the help of Jim Burlton, Gordon Eibert, and Hoyt Ackles and charged with running the fire district with two independent departments. The district's first fire truck was a farmer's Ford pickup truck which they used to fill with milk cans to draw water. Eventually a fire truck with a Brockway Chassis, a rear portable pump, and 200 feet of hose was purchased for fire suppression. A local resident, George Talcott, built cabinets into the truck's chassis to carry supplies. As the years progressed, public bonding was raised to build a larger structure to house addition equipment and apparatus. ~Submitted by Phil Haines
Our History
1940's - 1970's
The Spafford Fire District was formed in 1948 with the establishment of two fire companies; the Borodino Fire Department at the northern end of the district and Spafford Fire Department to the south. Initially, both departments were overseen by the first District Fire Chief, George Fesko, and two Assistant Chiefs, L. Burns and William Fesko. The Borodino Volunteer Fire Department split from the Spafford Fire Department in 1954 and was incorporated to provide financial protection to the fire fighters within its own Hamlet's station.
The first Borodino Pancake Breakfast was held in the mid 1960's, along with the
Borodino Fire Department Auctions, as a means to raise funds for necessary equipment and promote community involvement.
1980's - 2000's
The Borodino Fire Department had its first visit from Santa in the early 1980's. Initially, Santa was so busy that he only had time to ride on the trucks with some of his firefighter friends to see children in the community, but he has made time to have breakfast at the station every year since then.
Additional community activities and fire department functions were at their height during this period. The department participated in push-ball tournaments, community field days, and local farm events. The Halloween Party and Haunted House were also established around this time and continues to be a favorite of the community's children.
2000's - Present Day
The Borodino Grill was reestablished during the winter months of 2020, but the Summer Borodino Pancake Breakfasts were cancelled for the first time in over 50 years due to COVID-19.
1990 GMC 4X4 Mini Pumper
Retired from service in 2007