Dear Fellow Residents: October 16, 2006
This year marks the end of the Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department’s first hundred years of operation. During those 100 years many things have changed, and the fire department has continued to evolve, but our mission to save life and property still remains our top priority. As we reflect back on our history and tradition we have much to be proud of. The department has had over 200 members, and twenty-three have served as Department Chiefs. Over the years our responsibilities have expanded beyond fighting fires. We respond to medivac landings, flood evacuations, motor vehicle extrications, hazmat incidents to mention a few. Your volunteers are a dedicated group of professionals that provide a valuable service at a very reasonable cost to the taxpayers.
Along with the all of the positive things that have occurred over the last 100 years, we must also learn from our tragedies. On August 25th 1982 the Riverdale Fire Department lost one of its members, ‘Pappa’ Joe Ezzo, in the line of duty. This is a constant reminder of dangers of being a volunteer firefighter. You never know when you will respond to your last alarm.
As we move into our second century we have additional challenges. While the growth of the retail operations and multi-story condos along Route 23 are good for our taxes, they create additional strain on the fire department volunteers; Additional training to attend, additional equipment to maintain, and additional calls to respond to. Not only calls at those locations, but calls on the major roadways leading to these locations.
Because of the danger inherent with fighting fires, the State regularly reviews the training and certification requirements for volunteer firefighters. Until about 15 years ago you joined the fire department and we provided ‘on the job training’. Now a new firefighter must successfully complete 150 hours of firefighter training at an approved fire academy. Until last year fire officers had to be incident management certified to Level 2. By the end of 2007 most officers will need to be Level 3 certified and senior officers need to be Level 4 certified.
These requirements along with pressures on individuals’ family life have lead to a nationwide drop in volunteer firefighters of 10% annually over the last two decades. If anyone is interested in joining the fire department stop be the firehouse for more info.
Thank you for your continued support, and hope to see you at our 100th anniversary celebration in 2007.
Patrick M. Cleary
Chief, Riverdale Vol. Fire Dept.
