RVCFD continues recruitment efforts

In 2012, the Rockville Centre Fire Department received a federal grant for $865,225 to help attract 80 new volunteers and provide incentives for specialty training. Now in the grant’s second year, the RVCFD has added 36 new members to the department and is hoping to build on that number.

“The Rockville Centre Fire Department has over 100 years of tradition and service with an unwavering commitment to all who live in and around our village,” said Mayor Francis X. Murray, a 40-year member of Rescue 1. “This program allows that tradition to grow and flourish into the future.”

The four-year recruitment and retention program is funded through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program, administered through the United States Department of Homeland Security and FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The grant also provides tuition reimbursement for members attending college, physicals for new members, personal protective gear that includes a helmet, bunker gear (coats and pants), a protective hood, gloves and boots. In addition, each new member receives station gear that includes work shirts, work pants, hats and work boots.

“Each and every day, firefighters in our community sacrifice their time and risk their safety to keep our loved ones safe,” Chief John Thorp said. “I can’t stress how important volunteerism is to the ongoing success and well-being of our department. Programs like this help to enhance firefighter safety and provide invaluable service for our community.”

With 348 volunteers, the RVCFD remains one of the largest all-volunteer fire departments in New York. During 2013, the RVCFD answered more than 2,400 alarms, including over 1,400 calls for emergency medical services; over 1,000 other alarms which included over 100 automobile accidents, many with personal injury, over 400 reports of fire alarms, 65 carbon monoxide alarms, vehicle fires, brush fires, elevator rescues and other incidents. In addition, the department acted on over 30 requests for mutual aid assistance from neighboring fire departments.

Residents who wish to join the Rockville Centre Fire Department are urged to stop by any of the five firehouses on a Sunday morning, or call (516)678-9320, for information on becoming a firefighter, fire medic or a junior firefighter.