The 20th Anniversary Dinner for the Onondaga Nation Volunteer Fire Department (ONVFD) was held recently on September 22nd, 2018 at Tsha’ Thoñswatha’s dining hall.
The Onondaga Nation has had a long history with having an all native fire department that has been operating independently. The fire department began in the 1950s and ran continuously until 1983.
“There was quite a long time that the Onondaga Nation Fire Department didn’t have a fire department,” said fire chief Ron Shenandoah. “After twenty years, there was a definite movement in our community to bring it back. So we worked hard and we purchased our first truck on June 28, 1998. At that time, the remainder of our equipment was donated by other fire departments.”
Two years before, the fire department was rekindled. The firemen from the Onondaga Nation volunteered their services with the Nedrow Fire Department. 
“For the first few years, the Nation fire department recruits were going to every training class that was scheduled,” said fire chief Shenandoah. “We worked really hard and created a great working relationship with Nedrow Fire.”
Of the initial 9 recruits that started twenty years ago, two remain. They are Ron Shenandoah, and Larry Burk. Volunteers that are currently serving the Onondaga Nation Fire department are; Sandy Burk, Annie Shenandoah, Amanda Burk, Deho Burk, Tony Eckard, Carolyn Gibson, and David Roman Nose.
The entire Onondaga Nation community would like to thank all Onondaga Nation Firefighters for all the help they provide to our people.
If you would like to donate to the Onondaga Nation Volunteer Fire Department. Please contact them at their facebook page:
Related: The Journey to a New Firehouse