LFD Sees Rise in New Firefighter Recruits; More Wanted

by Judy Silberstein

(November 7, 2006) An intensive recruiting campaign initiated last year by the Larchmont Fire Department has begun to bear fruit: so far, approximately 15 new volunteers have started the training needed to become full members of the firefighting team. (See: VOL Fire Dept Hosts Open House for Entire Family.) There remains a need for many more, so the drive continues even as the new volunteers are being integrated into the department. (See: Larchmont Fire Department "You Are Invited")

The eight new recruits who showed up at the LFD company room on the third floor of Village Hall for new member orientation on Monday, October 30 reflected the diversity of backgrounds, ages, and reasons for joining that have been characteristic of the department through much of its history.

Some of the latest firefighter volunteers prepare for orientation. Front (l to r): John Komer, John Stackpole, Daniel Yee. Back: Sean Ryan, Roger Rahman, Joe Clifton, David Rashkover, Joe Carney

New members ranged in age from their early 20's to late 40's. Some have lived in Larchmont or Mamaroneck for decades, others for just a few years. Two live in the Bronx, and another in New Rochelle.

The new crew includes an accountant, a police officer, a banker and a pizza maker. One works for the federal government as a ranger, another is an emergency medical technician, and another is a financial consultant. Some have already been through the firefighter training, which has them crawling through a smoke-filled basement, lugging the big hoses or climbing up the tower ladder.

Why Do They Do It?

Creative Outlet: For some of the new recruits, the fire department offers a creative outlet. Joe Clifton, 47, a Larchmont resident of six years works for the NY State Park Police. He's enjoying the break from " work, home, work, home," he said.

It's Gratifying: Brian Carr-Smith, 36, Larchmont resident for about two years works from home as a financial consultant to the video game industry. "Working locally is great, I can respond to a lot of calls during the day when other members are in the city," he said.

He was already leaning towards joining the department, and last Christmas eve "clinched it." When his mother-in-law fell down the stairs, two volunteer firefighters were the first to show up. "It was amazing," he said. Later that night, Santa (AKA Deputy Fire Chief PJ Abrahamson) came by in a fire truck. Caitlin, 4, "thought that was absolutely the coolest thing," said Mr. Carr-Smith. "You have to do that," she told her father. She and Connor, 2, "love that I'm involved."

"Provide community programs like blood drives, give out hot dogs, educate kids -- there's a lot we do," said Mr. Carr-Smith. It's "not just fighting fires that adds to the life here. It's gratifying to be able to do this, too."

Give Back: "I joined because I wanted to give back to the community," said John Stackpole, 40, a Larchmont resident for more than 20 years who works in insurance. "Frankly, I wanted to be part of a long tradition with some great people."

Camaraderie: "I never really saw myself as a volunteer fireman," admitted Rob Seitz, 53, from New Rochelle, though he does recall some fireman history in his family, "namely the delivery of my daughter by a Mr. Vernon fireman 20 years ago." Yet, after hearing his firefighter friend "talk about it so much" when he saw the LFD recruitment table outside the firehouse, "my curiousity was already piqued."

He is willing to to stuff envelopes, post flyers, or whatever else is needed, but said he was "both excited and anxious" about starting the six week training course, Fire Fighter I, so he'll "be able to assist in a more valuable capacity."

So far, he was particularly impressed with the camaraderie in the department. He said, "They're a great group of guys that I am finding I can relate to on many different levels: like a father to the young guys in their 20's, as peers to the men closer in age to me and, in all cases, with respect to the volunteers who have been a part of this outfit for decades."

Professionalism: "Going back years ago when I was a little kid I always wanted to run fire calls," said Daniel Yee, 35. A Town of Mamaroneck resident since 1979, Mr. Yee grew up in Village of Mamaroneck and volunteered there as a firefighter and an emergency medical technician. Currently he's a pizza maker and studying to be a registered nurse.

"It's great to volunteer anywhere," he said, but he liked the one-firehouse system in Larchmont and "jumped aboard" after talking with a family friend, LFD Deputy Chief Tom Broderick.

"I like the structure, I like the professionalism -- you can't tell the difference between the paid guys and the volunteers - to be honest," he said. "It's one department and everyone working in the best interests of the community."

More Recruits Needed

"The numbers are important, because we're a corps of volunteers" explained Ettore Viazzo, a long-term member who was in the department kitchen cooking up a meal for the men attending the orientation. "To have a core group fully active and qualified, we need to have a flow of new volunteers. Some are flowing in and getting trained, others are leaving, for whatever reason."

"We're better than we've done in years," said Angelo Mancino, a veteran LFD member who has been spearheading the recruitment drive. "But we're still not satisfied," he stressed.

For more information: Be A Volunteer Firefighter or The Larchmont Fire Department website.

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