RVCFD grant gets safety sign and recruitment

As part of the SAFER Grant awarded through the Department of Homeland Security to the Rockville Centre Fire Department, a new informational sign has been purchased and installed in front of the firehouse located at 103 Maple Ave.

The purpose of the grant is for membership recruitment and retention. No village taxpayer money was expended for the sign, and it will be one of the many tools developed by the volunteer firefighters committee that administers the grant to assure the fire department continues to be staffed by enough volunteers who serve without pay.

In addition to good recruitment, thereby helping continue keeping village taxes for fire protection at a minimum, the sign will also serve to offer the community fire safety tips during the course of the year. Messages to date have included barbecuing grilling safety tips and smoke detector battery change reminders.

So when you drive by 103 Maple Ave., take a second while waiting for the light to change to pick up a safety tip, consider volunteering or just be thankful for the 340-plus volunteer members of the Rockville Centre Fire Department who man the response to more than 2,900 fire and emergency calls each year.