RBFD4

In regard to an earlier post about these housemen being union; I do know that some of them are organized with CSEA/AFSAME Local 016. Thier recognized as a bargaining unit and are covered under a collective bargaining agreement.

Here is our latest project, www.ryebrookfirefighters.org

THE JOURNAL NEWS (Original publication: December 4, 2004) SLEEPY HOLLOW — A second Sleepy Hollow firefighter in two weeks has been charged with sexually abusing a teenage girl, prompting an outraged village mayor to order an investigation of the department and to consider professionalizing the volunteer force. "I believe in lead, follow or get out of the way," Mayor Phillip Zegarelli said yesterday, joined by the police and fire chiefs and village trustees at a news conference he arranged at Village Hall. David Russell, 23, was arrested Thursday and accused of kissing and fondling a 13-year-old girl last month in Douglas Park the night of Nov. 11, Police Chief Jimmy Warren said. "They went to the park together," Warren said. "She refused his touching and left the park." His arrest came as a result of police investigating the other case, in which fellow firefighter Paolo Teixeira, 26, was accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl by kissing her on the lips at the firehouse Nov. 20. He and the girl — the relative of another firefighter — had been working on a charity drive to collect supplies for troops in Iraq when he kissed and groped her in the bathroom and a meeting room, police said. The two firefighters and the girls all knew one another and have hung out together in the past, authorities said. In pursuing the Teixeira case, police developed leads that prompted them to question the 13-year-old. They spoke with her Thursday and arrested Russell that night. He was charged with second-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child, misdemeanors. He was being held without bail at the Westchester County jail in Valhalla pending a court appearance Monday. In recent weeks, Russell has been living with a 16-year-old friend — a junior firefighter — and the friend's family on Kendall Avenue. He works odd jobs painting houses, and his father served in Iraq last year with the Air Force Reserve, the friend said. Warren said he didn't expect any more arrests. The cases have sparked calls for change, coming at the end of a year in which the department sustained several hits. The Westchester District Attorney's Office is investigating an explosion in May caused by petroleum poured down a firehouse sink, and an assistant fire chief pleaded guilty in June to disciplinary charges after he refused a police lieutenant's order to move his chief's vehicle from an accident scene. The sexual abuse charges have resulted in a new rule banning underage girls and boys from the firehouse without a legal guardian or adult relative present. Zegarelli, meanwhile, has ordered that all 120 firefighters be subjected to criminal background checks. He also announced plans to establish two committees — one a panel of ex-fire chiefs and the other consisting of outside experts — to review department procedures and recommend improvements. One proposal he is considering, he said, is a professional Fire Department, or a combination of paid and volunteer firefighters. "These types of events and the decline in volunteerism warrant this massive relook," he said. "I intend to have a heavy hand in restructuring the Fire Department."

How can I get a copy of the training schedule and what are the requirements to join the team?

Grand Opening set for this Tuesday Sept 14. 4: 30- 7:30 Dedication at 5:30 Tours, Hats, Shirts, etc..... and of course a free meal. Call the firehouse for details and directions.

I apologize, according to the Village of Rye Brooks web site the correct number is $737,969.00 It also looks like this is the last year of the contract. I think you need to define a properly staffed fire department, yes FDMV has had staffing problems, but who hasnt? None of us are properly staffed. As for mutual - aid, I think its safe to say we all take advantage of the system. Everytime there is a fire in Westchester somebody is relocating. You are correct in saying internal problems create the issues, that will always be. But as firefighters we are reponsible to protect everyone. Wouldn't in make sense for PC firefighters to encourage or at least support Rye Brooks FD? If not maybe RB will pay another community? Like I said, only one year left.

What if Rye Brook took the 1 million dollars or so it pays Port Chester, and hired more of its own firefighters? Thats were this thing is going anyway. I'm sure mutual-aid is a little less expensive.

I don't think any of us in Westchester should accept that Firehouse closing. That firehouse should be operational 24/7.

Why wouldn't Rye Brook want that firehouse staffed 24/7. It is their firehouse. Whats the point of building a firehouse thats closes at night?

OC- I heard their pay is in the 50's and they just settled a 3 year deal w/ 4% annually. I think they work 24's as well.