Does Tarrytown Need a Fire Commissioner?

Does the Tarrytown Volunteer Fire Department need a Fire Commissioner?

Some members of the Board of Trustees are interested in the idea, which will likely be discussed next week during the board's regular work session.

The issue was first raised during a Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 29, where trustees expressed an interest in the position and how it could increase accountability and create a chain of command within the department.

"The discussion was for staff to investigate the concept... Some of the board members believe it is worthy of review at this point in time," said Village Administrator Michael Blau. "We're not at the point where we are ready to hire anyone. It's just a concept at this point."

Blau said the idea didn't arise out of any specific incident, but according to sources in the Fire Department, the concept is being raised, at least partially, due to an issue that arose between trustees and a volunteer firefighter during annual fire inspections on Dec. 1. Concerns about training may also be playing into the board's decision to analyze the concept.

Blau said he could not specifically identify how a Commissioner would work in the Fire Department until the board signed off on creating the position, but noted that a draft of findings would soon be presented to the Board of Trustees for review.

"We'll be looking at all the issues, how it would work in the Fire Department, exactly who the person would be and who they would answer to, the cost impacts of the position and such," Blau said.

One of the best experts on Fire Commissioners is Raymond "Doc" Kiernan, who has been Fire Commissioner for New Rochelle's paid department for 26 years. Kiernan, a firefighter for 45 years, said there are a number of ways a Commissioner position could work based on whether the department is paid, is a taxing entity, or is part of a town or village. Because Tarrytown is an incorporated village, Kiernan believes the board would be interested in a Commissioner position that would be mostly managerial.

"It will probably be a hybrid thing," said Kiernan." They might hire a Commissioner who would serve at the pleasure of the board and he'd work for the village manager."

Kiernan said that would create accountability – the board would be able to take actions against a Commissioner, while they cannot make personnel decisions about individual volunteer firefighters.

"If he [the Commissioner] doesn't do something right, Blau could get rid of him as one of the appointees of the village, he wouldn't be bomb proof," Kiernan said. "They'd be hard pressed to get rid of a volunteer fire chief."

The creation of a Fire Commissioner wouldn't mean the elimination of the Fire Chief position, but the roles and responsibilities could change.

The Tarrytown Fire Department is also overseen by a Board of Wardens, volunteers who make decisions on personnel, disciplinary matters and the direction of department. How a Commissioner would work with the fire wardens is still something that would need to be worked out.

"I couldn't imagine the Commissioner being in charge of the Wardens," Kiernan said.

Blau said some members of the department had expressed interest in the possibility of having a Commissioner. We were unable to get hold of current Fire Chief Pete Saracelli to get his take on the matter, but two-time department chief Patrick Derivan said that he was mixed on the option of having a Commissioner.

Derivan said that he would support some type position that would handle the day-to-day operations of getting the department up to standards, but hiring a full-time Commissioner would be too much.

"In my mind it would be a waste to hire a Commissioner," he said. "But I do agree with hiring someone to see where we are and where we need to be and how to get there... I don't think we're that far off."

According to Kiernan, that is exactly what how a Fire Commissioner could benefit the village – by maintaining standards and keeping the department ahead of regulations.

"It's difficult for a volunteer fire department to keep up with everything, the new rules and regulations and OSHA standards," he said. "It's hard to have a job and a family and keep up with that stuff."

Plus, added Kiernan, the position of a Commissioner might help the department and its members concentrate more on their main mission – keeping residents safe.

"That leaves the volunteers more time to do the fun stuff, and fight fires," he said.