Newburgh Firefighters Raise Funds in Honor of Nick The Fire Dog

The City of Newburgh Fire Department said goodbye to one of their most beloved members.

Now, they're raising money in hopes to help other animals in the community.

The True Story of Nick The Fire Dog in Newburgh, NY

Back in 2017 a dog was rescued by Newburgh firefighters after being tied to a fire hydrant and abandoned.

The pup stole the hearts of the firefighters and quickly became part of their family and lovingly named Nick The Fire Dog. Newburgh Firefighter Timothy Dexter shared Nick's story from being abandoned on the streets of Newburgh to becoming a beloved community mascot on TikTok in 2021 and it went viral.

Christopher O'Dell, via Facebook

Nick the Fire Dog's story became so popular that Dexter turned it into a children's book called The True Story of Nick The Fire Dog which is available now on Amazon.

Nick The Fire Dog Crosses Over The Rainbow Bridge

In 2023 Nick the Fire Dog retired from service alongside fellow Newburgh firefighter Christopher O'Dell. On May 17th, O'Dell shared an unfortunate health updated regarding Nick.

He wrote on Facebook " Our Nicky boy is in pain and he is suffering."

O'Dell explains "due to a health condition that has rapidly declined over the past month WE will be sending Nick home. This isn’t a decision that we make lightly, and honestly I wish that he could live forever but that just isn’t the case."

On Monday, May 19th, 2025, Nick the Fire Dog crossed over the rainbow bridge. Members of the Newburgh Fire Department showed up to walk Nick to his final vet appointment.

Newburgh Firefighters Raise Money For Local Animal Charities

Nick left such an impact on his community and after his passing many left stories and photos on social media.

Christopher O'Dell, VIA Facebook

O'Dell shared a GoFundME fundraiser in which he writes:

Everybody knows that the firefighters from the City of Newburgh rescued Nick the fire dog, but the world needs to know that he rescued us right back every day that he spent with us. Firefighting is a tough, dirty, and at times an emotional job; that is where our Nicky boy shined.

With that being said, O'Dell and other members of the City of Newburgh Firefighters are raising money to donate to an animal charity of their choosing "as a memorial to honor Nick so that the world knows what he meant not only to us but our community."

If you would like to make a donation and learn more about Nick the Fire Dog visit the donation page HERE.

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