Frequently Asked Questions
Who Should Join?
The Peekskill Fire Department is actively seeking volunteer members who are driven and physically fit. If any of the following statements applies to you, we encourage you to apply:
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I want to make a difference in the community.
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I want to save people’s lives and protect their property.
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I find the idea of putting out fires exciting.
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I am strong and capable and want to use that for something good.
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I want to take the first step toward a career in the fire service.
What Does The Fire Department Do?
You do not have to be exclusively drawn to the idea of fighting fire to be a good candidate. The fire service has expanded to be an “all hazards” response agency, and so calls can range to many different types of needs:
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Fires in structures, vehicles, dumpsters, etc.
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Fires in gardens, woods, and parks
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Situations that have a risk of becoming fires or explosions, i.e. gas leaks
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Motor vehicle accidents, especially if someone is trapped
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Downed wires and other utility hazards
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Hazmat incidents
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Search and Rescue
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People trapped or fallen
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Forcible entry
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Any other situation where the tools and skills of the firefighters can help protect people or property
What If I’m Not Comfortable Going Into A Burning Building?
Firefighting has three main membership types, and we need volunteers in all three of them:
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Interior firefighting: actively entering a building that is on fire while wearing a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus to search for any people who need to be evacuated or to fight the fire from the inside.
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Exterior firefighting: supporting interior members by fighting the fire from the outside, which includes connecting to hydrants, operating hose lines, placing ladders, and other activities on the outside of the structure.
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Fire police: supporting the fire fight by blocking and redirecting vehicle and pedestrian traffic to ensure the safety of interior and exterior members.
For your own safety, there are medical requirements that you will need to pass in order to qualify for each type of membership, but in most cases if you are eager to help, we can find a good place for you.
I’ve Seen A Lot Of TV Shows And Movies About Firefighting - Will It Be Like That?
It of course depends on the show or movie, but generally there will be some truth to it and a lot of fiction. Some media portrayals of firefighting in no way resemble actual operations. Others are somewhat accurate for the period of time that they’re portraying, but as more research has been done and technology has developed, firefighting as a whole has become safer and so the older portrayals are no longer accurate. Some portrayals get a lot of the basics right, but tend to overblow some of the danger for dramatic purposes, or show such a volume of dangerous situations that it appears that each person is on the verge of death every episode. Almost no media portrayals are completely accurate.
Firefighting is in fact a dangerous activity, and firefighters may and do put themselves at considerable risk in the efforts to protect people and property. However, there are also many policies, procedures, and technologies designed to keep people safe and prevent undue risk. The training is there to make sure that firefighters never put themselves into a risky position without first considering alternatives, taking steps to make it as safe as possible, drawing on resources when necessary, and understanding that injury to themselves could create further danger for those who would need to rescue them.
What Are The Benefits Of Joining?
If you become a member of any type, it will be physically challenging and require a good amount of your time, but there are also many benefits:
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The joy of helping and saving people, potentially in the worst of situations, can be incredibly personally fulfilling.
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The camaraderie between fellow firefighters leads to lifelong friendships, and, since volunteer members typically also have careers outside of firefighting, often leads to professional opportunities and connections as well.
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While in the act of responding to calls, firefighters are covered under the City of Peekskill’s medical insurance, providing coverage even in the case of injuries when driving to an emergency scene.
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Participation in calls and other activities makes you eligible for the state LOSAP program, which provides pension benefits in retirement based on the number of years of service.
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New in 2024, New York State provides a cash incentive stipend for all members completing basic training.
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All training is fully paid for. This includes the basic and ongoing training required for firefighting, but can also extend into other NY State Office of Fire Prevention and Control trainings for members who wish to gain more knowledge and experience with other types of responses (i.e. Rope Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Building Collapse, etc.)
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If interested, becoming a volunteer member is an excellent first step in taking the further training and exams to become a career firefighter.
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Free access to the firehouse fitness center.
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Many businesses, from small local restaurants all the way up through large cell phone providers, give discounts for active first responders.
How Does It Work?
Our department is a combination of career and volunteer members. The career members are scheduled for shifts where they live at the firehouse for potentially multiple days at a time to always be ready and ensure that the Department has a swift response. They drive the vehicles and are typically the first to arrive and begin firefighting and rescue operations. They are also EMTs and regularly assist the Peekskill Volunteer Ambulance Corps with medical calls.
The volunteer members respond from wherever they are, often leaving work or family activities to join the fire fight, whenever they are available. Volunteers must meet minimum annual attendance and training requirements to remain active members, but are not specifically required to be on a scheduled shift or “on call” schedule.
What’s Involved In Applying?
The application process includes several steps:
1. Fill out the application and turn it in to the Fire Chief
2. Meet with the Municipal Training Officer (one of our Career Lieutenants) and observe a department training (scheduled typically two evenings a month)
3. Complete a physical exam with the Department Fire Surgeon (at no cost to you)
4. Meet with the Fire Chief for final approval
In this process you will be asked to designate whether you’d like to be an Interior, Exterior, or Fire Police member, but as you learn more and see what is involved, it is okay to change your mind about your designation.
Once each step of the application process is completed, the Chief submits the necessary documents to the Peekskill City Council, who then passes a resolution at a Common Council Meeting to instate you as a volunteer firefighter. While not required, you are encouraged to attend, where you will then be sworn in by the Mayor and sign the City Book. If you’re unable to attend, the swearing in and signing can be scheduled to happen separately at City Hall.
What Happens Next?
After being sworn in, you are officially a member of the City of Peekskill Fire Department. However, for your own safety, you will not be allowed to respond to things just yet. The Municipal Training Officer runs a New Member Orientation every so often that you will be required to attend. At this orientation, you’ll cover many things:
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Getting a swipe card to get into the firehouse
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Being issued turnout gear (boots, pants, coat, helmet, hood, gloves, etc)
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Getting connected with the app to be notified of calls
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Completing the required OSHA and PESH basic trainings
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Getting oriented to the department structure, apparatus, tools, and general means of operation
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Basic hoseline operation
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Basic hydrant connection skills
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Any other topics that the Department feels best prepares you to begin the county training
After completing the New Member Orientation, you will be allowed to support emergency responses, but in a limited capacity only. The next step is to complete the appropriate New York State training courses, which is typically scheduled on nights and weekends but amounts to approximately 129 hours for Interior Members, 79 hours for Exterior Members, and 20 hours for Fire Police.
What Is The Board Of Fire Trustees, And What Are “The Companies?”
Historically, the Peekskill Fire Department grew out of 6 separate Volunteer Fire Companies, which had separate stations throughout the city. At their inception they operated independently from each other, but over time as the city grew, became increasingly connected and today operate as a single Department with a Career Chief. The Companies are:
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Columbian Engine - the oldest company, connected to Engine 131, which used have a firehouse at Broad St. and Crompond Road (now the Peekskill City Garage)
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Cortlandt Hook and Ladder Company - the second oldest company, connected to Tower Ladder 45, which used to have a firehouse on Main St. next to City Hall
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Columbian Hose Company - connected to Engine 132, which used to have a firehouse behind the Beach Shopping Center
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Washington Engine Company - connected to Engine 133, which used to share the building of Columbian Engine but on the S Division St. side
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Peekskill Fire Patrol - connected to Rescue 134, which used to have a station on Highland Ave near Constant Ave
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Centennial Hose Company - connected to Engine 130, which used to have a firehouse on Washington St
Formerly, members of each company would only respond to calls that were specific to that company, but now members respond to any call that they are available for. Volunteers are not required to join a company, but are encouraged to because they can gain access to further benefits like tighter friendships, branded apparel, life insurance, or other equipment.
The Board of Fire Trustees is composed of two officers from each company, and serves to help coordinate the efforts of the companies in relation to the Fire Department as a whole. This is connected but distinct from the Peekskill Volunteer Association.
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