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Dobbs Ferry volunteer fire chief details training, recruitment challenges; trustees appoint one new volunteer
Summary
Volunteer Fire Chief Joseph Giuliano updated trustees on call volume, training and facility needs; trustees unanimously appointed Joseph Navielli as a volunteer firefighter.
Volunteer Fire Chief Joseph Giuliano told the Dobbs Ferry Board of Trustees on May 13 that the mostly volunteer department is keeping training current but remains challenged by recruitment and facility needs, and trustees unanimously appointed a new volunteer at the meeting.
Why it matters: the volunteer fire department provides primary emergency services in the village; staffing, training and a functioning apparatus bay affect response capacity.
Giuliano gave a brief history and status update, saying the Dobbs Ferry Volunteer Fire Department "was established in 1883 and has been volunteer since." He reported 425 calls for service in 2024 and said that, "as of April 30, this year, we have done a 100" calls for 2025 and that members completed 38 county-, state- and federal-level training courses. Giuliano said a truck has been out of the station since February while it waits for return from a vendor, and that members want the downstairs station space returned to active use so personnel can train and operate efficiently.
On recruitment, Giuliano said retention is a struggle despite outreach with local schools and scouting groups; he urged a professional recruiting effort shared across neighboring villages and noted regional mutual-aid partnerships with Ardsley and Irvington. He reminded trustees that National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) interior-attack safety standards typically require a minimum of six personnel ("2 in, 2 out," not counting incident commander and driver) at interior emergencies.
Trustees moved to appoint Joseph Navielli as a volunteer firefighter; the motion passed unanimously. The board thanked Navielli and the department for its service.
What's next: trustees discussed options to help recruitment (newsletter notices, event tabling, shared professional recruitment) and asked staff to place a shared-services recruiting item on the next Village Officials Committee agenda for follow-up.
Sources: presentation and remarks by Joseph Giuliano at the May 13, 2025 Board of Trustees meeting; board appointment motion recorded in meeting minutes.
