Since 1918, the volunteers of McKownville Fire Department have provided fire prevention, protection, and other rescue services to the residents of the McKownville Fire District and surrounding neighborhoods in the Town of Guilderland. Places of note in the McKownville Fire District include all of Stuyvesant Plaza and Executive Park, the Woodscape housing development, and 45% of the University at Albany uptown campus.

The Department responds to approximately 280 calls per year, including structure fires, motor vehicle accidents, hazardous materials incidents, hazardous conditions like downed tree and utility wires, and other rescues.