New Volunteers Get A Trial By Fire

The Port Chester Fire Department welcomed seven new firefighters to its ranks earlier this month.

While the new recruits completed training for what Chief Kevin McFadden calls "every facet of firefighting," they probably didn't expect to be put to the test so early.

Several new firefighters were among more than 40 who battled a blaze at an Oak Street house on June 6. Since then, authorities have revealed the house was , badly wired and structurally dangerous, with permit-less modifications and unvented fuel units.

Housing safety and code enforcement have made headlines over the past year as village leaders try to clean up the mess left by .

But the recent fire and the fallout underscore a simple fact: volunteer firefighters in Port Chester sacrifice more than their time when they join the department, and they face more variables -- and more danger -- when they .

Such was the case on June 6, when the that was approved as a three-family unit actually housed 20 people, according to investigators.

"You can never tell from the outside," McFadden said. " It's a great threat to members of the public and it's an extreme threat to members of my department."

Port Chester is not alone among fire departments struggling with recruitment at a time when mounting economic troubles and long commutes leave people with few hours to volunteer. Like many so-called "combination departments," Port Chester relies on a small career staff and a larger force of volunteers.

Combination departments not only save their towns and villages millions in potential salary costs, but also serve as local and springboards for s.

Firefighters Marcos Demelo, Mario Morales, Mara Halley, Tom Oxer, Al Rich, Rob Cruz and Nick Summa are the newest members of the department. They graduated earlier this month with a ceremony at the county's Department of Emergency Services in Valhalla.

Volunteers give up nights and weekends, and the initial certification courses are just the first step in an ongoing training schedule to meet and exceed the standards of the National Fire Protection Association.

"It's just the beginning of their journey," McFadden said. "They've got to keep training and keep growing and learning."

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