Rush Fire District

What Rush Fire District does

Rush Fire District is a 100% volunteer fire and emergency medical services organization serving the Town of Rush in Monroe County, New York. Founded on December 4, 1920, the department operates from two stations (Station 1 at 1971 Rush Mendon Rd and Station 2 at 2 Rush West Rush Rd) with a fleet of eight apparatus: three pumpers (582, 583, 584), a heavy rescue (588), a BLS ambulance (589 — a 2012 Ford/Marque Type III), a brush/utility truck (587), two rescue boats, and a UTV. Core services include structural and wildland fire suppression, technical rescue and vehicle extrication, water and ice rescue on Honeoye Creek and farm ponds, and Basic Life Support EMS delivered by volunteer EMTs. The department is one of the very few in Monroe County that still operates its own ambulance rather than outsourcing EMS, a distinction it has held since 1939.

The organization is legally structured as a two-entity public-private arrangement: Rush Fire Department, Inc. is a New York State not-for-profit membership corporation that holds the active membership and operational leadership, while the Rush Fire District is a separate government entity that owns the stations and apparatus and funds operations through a property tax levy ($1.22 per $1,000 of assessed value, yielding a $500,623 budget in 2024). Additional revenue comes from twice-yearly mail fund drives (~$49,000 raised in 2023), a three-night annual carnival fundraiser held in late July/early August at Station 1, tax-deductible donations to the 501(c)(3), and a newly introduced BLS ambulance billing program. Operations are dispatched by Monroe County 911 and the department responds to approximately 500+ calls per year (65% EMS), with mutual aid to neighboring districts. The volunteer pipeline is sustained through the Ladies Auxiliary, an Explorers Post youth program (ages 14-21, established 1975), and NY State volunteer firefighter tax credits.

Name

Rush Fire District

Legal name

Rush Fire Department, Inc.

Website

https://rushfd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rush Fire District is a 100% volunteer fire and Basic Life Support EMS organization serving the Town of Rush, Monroe County, New York, from two stations with eight apparatus. It is funded primarily by a property tax levy and community donations, and is one of the very few departments in Monroe County that still operates its own ambulance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Volunteer Fire and Emergency Medical Services

NAICS

Fire Protection (922160), Ambulance Services (62191)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire & Rescue Services (Fire Suppression, Rescue) (BPAIAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Operations & Dispatch (HLAJAGAC)

Keywords

• Volunteer fire services
• Emergency medical services
• Fire suppression response
• Technical rescue services
• Water and ice rescue

Headquarters

HQ city

Rush

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Property Tax Levy (Rush Fire District): The Rush Fire District levies a property tax to fund day-to-day operations, apparatus purchases, stations, and equipment. Tax rate was $1.22 per $1,000 of assessed value with a total budget of approximately $500,623 in 2024.
2. Annual Fund Drives (Spring and Fall): Twice-yearly mail fund drive appeals to the community. Fund drive money has historically purchased ambulances, rescue trucks, boats, equipment and radios. Raised $46,000 in 2022-2023 cycle, $49,000 in 2023.
3. Annual Carnival: Three-night carnival in late July/early August is the department's biggest annual fundraiser. Proceeds help the Rush Fire District cover major one-time purchases and keep the tax levy down. Includes ride wristbands, food, games of chance, beer tent, and live music.
4. Ambulance Billing (BLS): The department began charging for Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance responses. Medicare/Medicaid covered, insurance co-pays apply, no bill for uninsured residents under 65.
5. Donations: Tax-deductible donations to Rush Fire Department, Inc. (501(c)(3) nonprofit) accepted by mail. Donations support major equipment purchases, special programs, and needs beyond the tax levy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rush Fire Department is a 100% volunteer fire and emergency medical services organization that provides fire suppression, Basic Life Support ambulance response (Ambulance 589), technical/heavy rescue, water and ice rescue, brush fire response, and off-road emergency access to the Town of Rush, Monroe County, New York. Services are delivered by trained volunteers from two stations using eight pieces of apparatus, dispatched through Monroe County 911, and funded through property tax levy, fund drives, the annual carnival, ambulance billing, and donations.

Product overview

Rush Fire District operates as a 100% volunteer fire and EMS organization serving the Town of Rush, Monroe County, New York. The department provides emergency response through a fleet of 8 apparatus pieces including three pumpers (582, 583, 584), a heavy rescue (588), an ambulance (589 — one of the few remaining fire-department-run BLS ambulances in Monroe County), a brush/utility truck (587), two rescue boats (5817/5837), and a UTV (5827). Core services include fire suppression, Basic Life Support EMS via Ambulance 589, technical rescue, and water/ice rescue. Community programs include the annual carnival fundraiser, Ladies Auxiliary support operations, and the Explorers Post youth training program for ages 14–21.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fire Suppression Services Structural, vehicle, barn, and wildland/grass fire response delivered by three front-line pumpers (Pumper 582, 583, 584) and volunteer firefighters trained at the Monroe County Public Safety Training Facility. Delivered 24/7 to residents of the Town of Rush and via mutual aid to neighboring districts.
• Emergency Medical Services (Ambulance 589) Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance service staffed by volunteer EMTs. Ambulance 589 is a 2012 Ford/Marque Type III rig and represents one of the very few fire-department-operated ambulances remaining in Monroe County. Patients are billed only as covered by insurance, with no bill for uninsured residents under 65.
• Technical Rescue (Rescue 588) Heavy rescue operations including vehicle extrication, air and lighting support, and special operations, delivered via Rescue 588, a 2010 HME/EVI Special Ops apparatus. Uses ParaTech struts, block cribbing, straps, and airbags for vehicle stabilization during extrication training and operations.
• Water and Ice Rescue (Boats 5817/5837) Water and ice rescue capabilities on Honeoye Creek, farm ponds, and flood conditions using two rescue boats - one for open water, one for ice - hauled by Grass Fire Truck 587.
• Off-Road Response (UTV 5827) Access to trails, fields, and creek banks in any season using a 2013 Kubota 4x4 UTV equipped with tracks in winter and tires in summer, capable of patient transport.
• Brush Fire Response (Grass Fire Truck 587) Off-pavement grass and brush fire response using a 2004 Ford F-350 Custom 4x4 brush/utility rig that also tows boats and the UTV to incident locations.
• Annual Carnival and Parade Fundraiser Three-night annual carnival fundraiser held at 1971 Rush Mendon Rd featuring midway rides (Amusements of America), food, games of chance, beer tent, live music, and a Saturday Grand Parade. All-You-Can-Ride wristbands sold: $20 presale/$25 at gate Thursday and Friday, $20 presale/$30 at gate Saturday. Proceeds support apparatus purchases and help maintain the tax levy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ calls per year answered by volunteers with zero paid staff
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major, key, minor and core.

• Station 1 BrandsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 July 2026Major sponsor of the 2026 Rush Fire Department Carnival. Station 1 Brands provides sponsorship support in exchange for branding recognition at the carnival event.
• Meyers RVkeyGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 July 2026Saturday music sponsor for the 2026 carnival. Provides financial support for live music entertainment at the event.
• Power & Construction GroupkeyGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 July 2026Thursday music sponsor for the 2026 carnival, featuring band Something Else 7-10 PM.
• Gray Metal ProductskeyGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 July 2026Friday music sponsor for Country Night, featuring band Stateline 8-11 PM.
• Paul Davis RestorationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 July 2026Thursday night sponsor for the 2026 carnival.
• Steadman FenceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 July 2026Friday sponsor for the 2026 carnival.
• Rush GravelminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 July 2026Saturday sponsor for the 2026 carnival.
• Amusements of AmericamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2026Provides the full midway of amusement rides and games for all three nights of the carnival. Rides operate 5-9 PM Thursday/Friday and 1-9 PM Saturday. Also sells early bird ride passes.
• Monroe County 911coreOthersMonroe County 911 dispatches all 911 calls in the Town of Rush to Rush Fire Department. This is the primary dispatch relationship for emergency response.
• Monroe County Public Safety Training FacilitycoreOthersCounty training facility where Rush FD members attend Firefighter I & II, Hazmat Operations, rapid intervention, and continuing education courses.
• Livingston County Emergency Operations and Training FacilitycoreOthersCounty training facility available to Rush FD members for fire training, EMS courses, and continuing education.
• ParaTechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParaTech representatives assist with auto extrication training drills, providing expertise with ParaTech struts, block cribbing, straps, and airbags used for vehicle stabilization during extrication.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights12 records

Direct peers

• Henrietta Fire District: Monroe County fire district listed as a mutual-aid partner. Operates with a comparable mix of volunteer and combination staffing in a suburban-rural transition zone adjacent to Rush's service area.
• Churchville Fire Department: Volunteer fire company serving Churchville in Monroe County. Comparable in scale, rural character, and reliance on community fundraising alongside tax support.
• Honeoye Falls Fire Department: Volunteer fire department serving Honeoye Falls in Monroe County. Listed as a mutual-aid partner to Rush, with a similar small-town, rural, volunteer-staffed operating model.
• Pittsford Fire Department: Monroe County volunteer fire department serving the Town of Pittsville. Operates with a similar combination of fire, rescue, and EMS services via community-funded volunteer model.
• Wheatland Fire District: Adjacent fire district that receives mutual aid from Rush. Comparable rural volunteer fire district operating within Monroe County under a similar property tax levy funding structure.
• Mendon Fire Department: Neighboring volunteer fire department in Mendon, NY that participates in mutual aid with Rush. Operates with a comparable rural, all-volunteer model serving an adjacent agricultural town in Monroe County.
• Scottsville Fire Department: Volunteer fire department in the Wheatland area of Monroe County that provides and receives mutual aid with Rush. Similar small-department scale and community-funded model.
• Chili Fire Department: Monroe County volunteer fire department in a comparable rural-suburban setting with similar apparatus-based service mix including EMS and technical rescue.

Broad incumbents

• Greece Volunteer Ambulance Service: Monroe County-based volunteer ambulance organization that represents the broader trend toward standalone EMS agencies — the model most departments have shifted to, against which Rush's in-house Ambulance 589 is differentiated.

Regional players

• East Rochester Fire Department: Monroe County fire service providing a useful benchmark for a smaller, denser volunteer/combination department operating under different geographic constraints but similar regulatory and dispatch environment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/rushvolfd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rush-fire-district

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rush Fire District