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Dobbs Ferry fire chief reports surge in calls, warns of lithium‑battery fires and aging infrastructure
Summary
Fire Chief Joe Guliano told trustees the department handled 455 fire-related calls in 2025 (about 7% more than 2024) and that January–April calls rose 44% year-over-year; he flagged infrastructure-related incidents and lithium-ion battery fires as major drivers and outlined training, recruitment and a capital plan.
Fire Chief Joe Guliano told the Dobbs Ferry Board of Trustees the village’s fire company saw a marked rise in fire-related incidents, raising concerns about aging infrastructure and a growing number of hazardous battery-related fires.
Guliano said the department responded to 455 calls for service in 2025, about a 7% increase from 425 calls the year prior, and reported that calls for the January–April period rose from 132 to 190 — an increase he described as roughly 44% year-over-year. "If this current trend continues, we're going to do close to 600 calls this year, which would be the most we've ever done," he said.
The chief and his officers emphasized that many of the additional calls stem from infrastructure failures and nontraditional fire causes. "We have been responding to a lot more like gas calls ... homes and stuff are getting older," Guliano said, adding that the department has attended multiple incidents tied to overloaded home electrical services. He also warned about consumer devices: "We have gone to two structure fires in the village where the cause was due to lithium ion batteries," and urged residents to use proper chargers.
The presentation outlined where calls are concentrated: about 14% of 2025 calls occurred at tax-exempt locations and 12% were tied to the Rivertown Square complex, which combines food establishments and several hundred residential units. False alarms also rose; the chief said the department is coordinating with the finance office to reduce repeat false alarms.
Guliano described training efforts and workforce gains intended to meet demand. In 2025 the department ran 42 drill nights totaling approximately 2,340 personnel training hours and sent members to 44 off-site county, state and federally sponsored courses. Specialized training — including low-angle rescue and a battery-safety class—was brought in-house to increase preparedness.
On recruitment the chief reported six new full members and eight junior firefighters in 2025 and credited outreach, school engagement and a welcoming culture for improved retention. He said a junior program for ages 16–18 provides a pathway to full membership and urged residents with varying skill sets to consider non-fire roles such as traffic control or driving.
Looking ahead, the department plans a capital strategy to stagger replacements for large apparatus rather than buying multiple vehicles at once. Guliano said staff will present a vehicle-replacement plan in a future workshop to spread costs responsibly.
A trustee asked what had driven improved recruitment; Guliano and department members answered that active outreach, school visits and word-of-mouth among members were key. First Assistant Chief William Osborne added the department will also target mid-career working residents and adjust training to accommodate schedules.
The board had no formal vote tied to the presentation; trustees thanked the department and asked staff to return with the proposed capital plan and any budget implications.
