Fire Department · Career
New Rochelle Fire Department
New Rochelle, NY · Westchester County
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Department careers page ↗The New Rochelle Fire Department traces its roots to 1861, when the city appropriated $2,400 to organize the Enterprise Hook and Ladder and Bucket Company No. 1, quickly followed by the independent Huguenot Company No. 1. The all-volunteer force struggled with scarce hose and water access in its earliest years before gradually modernizing, and around 1900 the city appropriated $50,000 to begin transitioning to a paid department, hiring its first two paid firefighters. By 1929 the department had grown to 99 paid members, and it continued to modernize apparatus and communications through the mid-20th century, relying on auxiliary volunteers to fill gaps during World War II.
Today NRFD is a full-service career department operating out of headquarters and five fire stations positioned across the city, handling structural firefighting, rescue and extrication, hazardous materials response, and emergency medical first response. All New Rochelle firefighters are state-certified EMTs, and engine companies routinely serve as first-responder units on medical calls, often arriving ahead of ambulance crews to render Basic Life Support care.
The department is also responsible for fire prevention code enforcement and housing code administration within the city, in addition to its emergency-response mission.
MissionFire protection and fire extinguishment services, initiating life rescue, rendering emergency medical assistance, controlling hazardous material situations, and related emergency services.
Firefighter hiring in New Rochelle runs through the New Rochelle Civil Service Commission rather than direct department application. Candidates must take and pass the New York State Firefighter Civil Service Exam administered by the Commission; as of this review, firefighter applications were closed and the next exam date had not yet been announced. Paper applications, when open, are distributed at the Civil Service Office in City Hall and at several community locations including the public library, YMCA, and Boys and Girls Club.
Requirements
- Must take and pass the New York State Firefighter Civil Service Exam through the New Rochelle Civil Service Commission
- Subject to Federal and New York State Civil Service Law procedures
Why does a fire engine come to my house when I have a medical emergency?
Engine companies serve as first-responder units because all New Rochelle firefighters are state-certified EMTs. They provide Basic Life Support care and often arrive before paramedic ambulances during medical emergencies.
What does an Engine company do at a fire scene?
The first-arriving engine handles fire extinguishment through interior attack, the second engine provides water supply from hydrants using large-diameter hose, and the third engine stretches backup hose lines as needed.
What does a Ladder company do at a fire scene?
Ladder crews perform forcible entry, search for victims, ventilate by opening windows and the roof, conduct wall and ceiling searches, and set up aerial and portable ladders along with lighting equipment.
Why do firefighters break windows and cut a hole in the roof at a fire?
Ventilation removes super-heated toxic gases, prevents fire spread, enables safer firefighting operations, and reduces carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide exposure.
Why do firefighters cut holes in the walls at a fire?
This overhaul process ensures no hidden fire remains inside walls or partitions, preventing the fire from reigniting after the department leaves the scene.